A study published in November 2026 by INSEE paints a detailed economic portrait of Réunion's businesses for the 2024 financial year: 65,390 active companies, 133,736 employees, total revenues of €34 billion, and value added of €10 billion. The figures reveal a vibrant local productive fabric — alongside deep questions about how this wealth is distributed.
A Fabric of 65,390 Companies Generating €34 Billion in Revenue
According to INSEE data published this month, Réunion counted 65,390 businesses in 2024, employing 133,736 workers. These companies generated total revenues of €34 billion, with €10 billion in value added — the share of wealth genuinely created on the island after deducting intermediate consumption. Investment reached €2.4 billion, signalling a productive dynamic that continues to strengthen year after year.
These results confirm the continued growth of Réunion's economic fabric since the €7.8 billion in value added recorded in 2023, according to INSEE historical series.
A Symbolic Threshold: €10 Billion in Value Added
Crossing the €10 billion value-added threshold is a symbolic milestone for the island's economy. It reflects a strengthening economic fabric driven by sectors including trade, construction, business services and tourism. The growth also reflects the effects of payroll tax exemption policies (LODEOM) that support employment in sectors exposed to competition from the Indian Ocean region.
With 133,736 employees in the market sector, Réunion represents a developing labour market — even as structural unemployment remains high at around 20%, a reminder that wealth creation does not automatically translate into lower joblessness.
Questions About Distribution
The €10 billion in value added naturally fuels debate about how it is shared. Of the €2.4 billion in recorded investment, a significant portion is captured by large structures — mainland French groups, mass-market retailers and large distributors — whose headquarters are located outside the island. Local economists argue for greater local ownership of investment decisions and for incentive mechanisms that encourage reinvesting locally-created value back into the island economy.
Why It Matters
This INSEE data provides the most comprehensive snapshot of Réunion's productive economy available to date. It informs investment decisions, negotiations with the state over support mechanisms (LODEOM, overseas tax credits) and the strategy of businesses looking to establish themselves on the island. As the government reassesses overseas exemptions, having a detailed account of the jobs and wealth generated by the local business fabric is an essential tool for shaping the debate.