Newly-established enterprises still increasing

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The number of newly-established enterprises has been increasing since 2010. A total of 60 500 enterprises were established in 2016, which was 5 per cent more than in 2015.

Private limited companies (23 700) and sole proprietorships (34 800) combined made up 97 per cent of all the newly-established enterprises in 2016. The number of newly-established Norwegian divisions of foreign enterprises was 950, which was 6 per cent less than in 2015.

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Figure 1. Newly established enterprises and enterprise closures

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016¹
Newly established enterprises 45981 46910 51148 51622 54539 57866 60474
Enterprise closures 47666 52110 49624 48094 52685 55385 58252

Industries with most newly-established enterprises

Professional, scientific and technical activities, with 15 per cent, had the highest share of newly-established enterprises in 2016. Construction had 13 per cent and wholesale and retail trade 11 per cent. The greatest percentage increase from 2015 was in financial and insurance activities, with 69 per cent more newly-established enterprises in 2016.

Enterprise closures and newly-established enterprises the same

Most of the newly-established enterprises in 2016 were in Oslo and Akershus, with 22 and 12 per cent respectively, which was the same as in 2015 and the same level as enterprise closures.

Slight increase in total enterprise closures

Enterprise closures rose 5 per cent to 55 400 from 2014 to 2015. All counties except Hedmark and Finnmark had more enterprise closures than the preceding year.

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