South Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) forecast the country's economic growth to reach a record low next year since the 2008 financial crisis, a poll showed Saturday.

According to a survey of 1,500 SMEs taken by the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (Kbiz), a majority of the companies polled predicted South Korea's economy will grow 2.9 percent in 2013, the lowest level since their 2009 prediction of 2.4 percent.

Nearly 70 percent of the respondents regarded advanced countries' unstable fiscal situations as the biggest factor that will affect domestic economic conditions next year.

More than 80 percent of the companies polled said slowing domestic demand will be the biggest drag to their business, the Kbiz said.

Prior to the SMEs' 2013 forecast, the central bank and international organizations put their growth estimate in the 3 percent range with foreign investment banks suggesting a 2 percent growth outlook.

The Bank of Korea's 2013 growth projection was lowered to 3.2 percent and the state-run Korea Development Institute forecast the Korean economy will grow 3 percent next year. (Yonhap News)