Defining the family business landscape, 2025

Family businesses with revenue of US$100 million or more make up 22% of all businesses globally. This currently totals 18,087 family businesses, up from 16,194 in 2020. Adjusting for macroeconomic factors, this number is expected to grow to 19,744 by 2030, reflecting a 22% increase between 2020 and 2030. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region, with estimates that the number of family businesses will rise 12% from 4,084 in 2025 to 4,577 in 2030. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific currently has the most family businesses in the world: 7,595. This compares to 5,152 in North America, 4,084 in Europe, 528 in the Middle East, 352 in South America, and 377 in Africa.

All businesses globally currently generate an estimated US$109 trillion in revenue, with family businesses accounting for 19%, or US$21 trillion—up from US$16 trillion in 2020. Family business revenue is projected to grow to US$29 trillion by 2030, reflecting a rapid 84% rise between 2020 and 2030—notably outpacing the expected growth in non-family businesses, which is projected at 59%.

Family businesses in North America and Asia-Pacific are projected to see the greatest revenue gains over this period, with revenues expected to rise by 97% to US$12 trillion and US$9.0 trillion, respectively.

Reflecting a shift in family business ownership, over a quarter (26%) of family businesses are currently targeting outside investment or private equity. Additionally, 19% are looking to increase non-family management’s ownership, 12% are considering going public, and 3% are planning to sell the business altogether. While ownership changes can be prompted by multiple factors, interviews highlighted one primary driver: the great wealth transfer. This transition is causing significant changes in family business ownership and leadership as the current generation prepares to step down.

While 2024 saw an average global growth rate in family business revenue of 8%, respondents anticipate an uptick to 12% in 2025 and 14% in 2026. To achieve this growth, the top-ranked strategy among family businesses—adopted by 40% of those surveyed—is to invest in technological innovation, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and scale up initiatives.

With the European Union offering a single market of over 450 million people and amid uncertainty around tariffs, Europe is currently the top destination for family business expansion, as over half (51%) of family businesses plan to broaden their operations in the region over the next 12 to 24 months. Despite policy fluctuations, North America ranks a close second, with 48% looking to expand there, followed by 40% in Asia-Pacific, 28% in the Middle East, 28% in South America, and 17% in Africa.

Family businesses led by women CEOs, which make up 23% of those surveyed, experienced somewhat higher revenue growth in 2024 at 10%, compared to 8% for their male counterparts. Supporting their growth, women employ risk mitigation tactics at a higher rate than men across all strategies (e.g., conducting regular risk assessments and audits, investing in cybersecurity, establishing contingency plans). Additionally, they adopt governance mechanisms at a higher rate than men in nearly every category (e.g., implementing ethical guidelines, establishing a family charter, and forming a family board or council).

At the time of the survey, family businesses identified economic uncertainty as their top external risk, with 69% of respondents rating it as a moderate/high risk and 68% saying it was causing delays in key business investments and growth initiatives. Another 73% note that geopolitical tensions are contributing to economic volatility/uncertainty, while 70% say that the imposition of expansive tariffs will hurt the economy/their business.

Cyber threat concerns also top the risk charts, with 69% of respondents ranking them as a moderate/high external risk and 61% ranking their unpreparedness for cyberattacks as a moderate/high internal risk. In response, 42% of family businesses are currently upgrading their cybersecurity defences and data governance.

Family businesses’ average turnover rate has reached 20%, with nearly 64% reportedly struggling to attract and retain talent. To address this challenge, family businesses are increasingly embracing the work-from-home model (76%) and, according to interviews, focusing on offering competitive short- and long-term compensation programmes, career progression opportunities, and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.

Family businesses employ a range of governance tactics, with the most popular being regular family meetings (43%), establishing a family board or council (41%), and implementing ethical guidelines (41%). The most widely cited governance challenges currently faced by family businesses are uncertainty over decision-making authority (37%) and succession planning for leadership transitions (36%).