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New business density — all countries

New business density — South Africa

New business density in South Africa in 2024 — 11.46 per 1,000. Ranked 22 in the world out of 134. Since 2006, the indicator has risen by 35.1%.

2024 11.46 per 1,000 +18.26% vs 2023
World rank 22of 134
Period maximum 12.11 per 1,0002020
Period minimum 5.14 per 1,0002011

Trend over time

2006–2024 · per 1,000 people aged 15–64

New business density — South Africa, 2006–202446810121420062008201020122014201620182020202220242006: 8.48 per 1,0002007: 9.06 per 1,0002008: 9.03 per 1,0002009: 7.84 per 1,0002010: 6.16 per 1,0002011: 5.14 per 1,0002012: 6.89 per 1,0002013: 7.03 per 1,0002014: 6.87 per 1,0002015: 9.51 per 1,0002016: 9.91 per 1,0002017: 10.44 per 1,0002018: 10.31 per 1,0002019: 10.52 per 1,0002020: 12.11 per 1,0002021: 11.44 per 1,0002022: 10.34 per 1,0002023: 9.69 per 1,0002024: 11.46 per 1,000
Change over the period: +2.98 (+35.14%) Average annual rate: 1.69 %

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa

South Africa 11.46 per 1,000
World 5.15 per 1,000
Sub-Saharan Africa computed 2.26 per 1,000
Southern Africa computed 11.23 per 1,000
Upper-middle-income countries computed 9.96 per 1,000
New business density — South Africa, by year South Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 1,000 Change Change, %
2024 11.46 +1.77 +18.26%
2023 9.69 −0.65 −6.26%
2022 10.34 −1.1 −9.62%
2021 11.44 −0.67 −5.54%
2020 12.11 +1.59 +15.14%
2019 10.52 +0.21 +1.99%
2018 10.31 −0.13 −1.28%
2017 10.44 +0.54 +5.42%
2016 9.91 +0.4 +4.16%
2015 9.51 +2.64 +38.39%
2014 6.87 −0.16 −2.23%
2013 7.03 +0.14 +2.07%
2012 6.89 +1.75 +33.98%
2011 5.14 −1.02 −16.56%
2010 6.16 −1.68 −21.38%
2009 7.84 −1.19 −13.21%
2008 9.03 −0.03 −0.37%
2007 9.06 +0.59 +6.9%
2006 8.48 — —

Southern Africa, 2024

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

BW Botswana 13.33 ZA South Africa 11.46 NA Namibia 6.74 SZ Eswatini 4.39
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The number of newly registered limited liability companies per 1,000 people of working age (15–64) over a year. It is an indicator of entrepreneurial activity and of the ease of entering a market. Only limited liability companies are counted, so in countries where sole proprietorships dominate the figure is understated.

Important: The aggregate is weighted by the population aged 15–64 — the same denominator that stands in the indicator. Only new limited liability companies are counted, so where other legal forms are common the value is understated.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for South Africa

Business New businesses registered

How many limited liability companies are registered in a country in a year.

South Africa by year Labor Self-employed

The share of workers who work for themselves — from entrepreneurs to the informally employed.

South Africa by year Labor Firms with female top managers

What part of the firms in a country are run by women — from enterprise surveys.

South Africa by year Business Listed domestic companies

How many domestic companies are quoted on a country's exchanges.

South Africa by year
All indicators for South Africa