Index Drops As View of Economy Declines
![A grid of three images depicting various kinds of small business](/sbindex/uploads/2023_Q4_assets/SBIReport_Q423_Hero.png)
Employers having harder time finding employees with right skills, experience
Read the Q4 2023 report![A grid of three images depicting various kinds of small business](/sbindex/uploads/2023_Q4_assets/SBIReport_Q423_Hero.png)
Q4 2023 Report Highlights
![Small Business Index score gauge](/sbindex/uploads/2023_Q4_assets/SBIReport_Q423_WebCharts_Gauge.png)
Q4 2023 SBI:61.3
The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index score for Q4 is 61.3. The Q3 Index score was 69.2.
Highlights from the q1 2021 report
50%
of small businesses cite inflation as one of the biggest challenges they are facing right now
54%
of small businesses who have searched for new talent in 2023 say it is hard to find candidates with the experience they need for the job
68%
of small businesses say they plan to offer more flexible working hours in the next year
The Data Explorer
Use the Data Explorer to browse and analyze years of data from the Small Business Index.
The Data Explorer contains data going back to 2017 (when the Index began) on the 10 big survey questions covering views of the economy, hiring, investment and other key economic indicators.
![An older man carrying a box of vegetable starts](/sbindex/uploads/2024_Q1_assets/SBI_2024Q1_ComputerScreens.jpg)
Q1 2024
• SBI 62.3
Index Remains Steady As Views of Economy Drift Upwards
Cybersecurity tops list of potential threats, but many have taken steps to prepare
![An older man carrying a box of vegetable starts](/sbindex/uploads/2023_Q4_assets/SBI_2023Q4_VegetableFarmer.jpg)
Q4 2023
• SBI 61.3
Index Drops As View of Economy Declines
Employers having harder time finding employees with right skills, experience
![A grid of images highlighting different types of small businesses](/sbindex/uploads/2023_Q3_assets/SBI_2023Q3_OfficeHandshake.jpg)
Q3 2023
• SBI 69.2
Index Reaches Post-Pandemic High As More See Improving Economy
Persistent concerns about inflation remain near record high