Brazil registered 1,033,208 new small businesses in January and February 2026, a record for the opening two-month period and a 3% increase over the same period in 2025, according to data from the Federal Revenue Service compiled by Sebrae. Small businesses accounted for 97.3% of all new legal entities created in Brazil during this period, accounting for over 80% of net formal job creation in 2025. Individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs), which can earn up to 81,000 reais ($15,500) per year, accounted for nearly 80%. Services such as courier delivery, freight transport, and advertising dominated the category. Healthcare services emerged as the fastest-growing segment, driven by increased demand for specialized outpatient care in mid-sized cities. The record also reflects policy choices such as the simplified tax regime for small businesses, the National Export Culture Policy (PNCE), and the Acredita Exportação program that returns 3% of export revenues to qualifying small businesses.