In 1991 they accounted for only 50 % of the total value of exports, and by 2001, this figure had fallen to 20 %. Despite the fact that they are not keeping up with overall growth, over the last 20 years the number of SMEs has not changed significantly. Although many companies have gone out of business, others have arisen to take their place.
民國八十年中小企業的出口總值降為百分之五十，九十年更降為百分之二十，業績雖然大幅降低，但是二十年來中小企業家數卻無太大變化，許多商家關廠或結束營業，但業者前仆後繼，其中自然出現失業人口。