In which EU countries are the most businesses being launched?

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

In which EU countries are the most businesses being launched?

The number of companies opened across the EU is higher than those closing, with 3.4 million new companies created in 2022 versus 2.8 million that went out of business.

According to the most recent Eurostat data, the EU’s business ecosystem seems to be in good health.

In 2022, 3.4 million new companies opened across the block, while 2.8 million closed down.

The countries that launched the most new businesses — compared to the size of their markets — were Lithuania (18.3%), Portugal (16.7%) and Estonia (16.6%).

Austria (6.2%), Denmark (7.4%), and Italy (7.9%) reported the lowest rates of enterprise growth.

The countries with the highest share of companies that closed down were Estonia (25.1%), Bulgaria (20.6%) and Ireland (15.6%), according to Eurostat.

Overall in the EU, there are over 32 million businesses and around 160 million employees.

Micro and small enterprises — those with fewer than 50 employees — make up 99% of the EU’s business ecosystem.

Although they might be “small”, they generate almost a third of the whole EU turnover (€11.9 trillion out of €38.3 trillion).

Eurostat data also shows the biggest turnover in 2022 was generated by the industry sector (35%), followed by services (30%), trade (29%) and construction (6%).

Services, however, is the sector employing the majority of people (51%), followed by industry, trade and construction.

Video editor • Mert Can Yilmaz

Click to comment

Video: ‘We Are Orphans’: Shiite Muslims Protest the Killing of Khamenei

Published

5 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Video: ‘We Are Orphans’: Shiite Muslims Protest the Killing of Khamenei

new video loaded: ‘We Are Orphans’: Shiite Muslims Protest the Killing of Khamenei

Shiite Muslims around the world protested the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and a senior Shiite Muslim cleric. He died on Saturday during U.S. and Israeli attacks on his country.

By Nader Ibrahim and Malachy Browne

March 1, 2026

World

3 US service members killed, 5 seriously wounded in Iran operation

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

3 US service members killed, 5 seriously wounded in Iran operation

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Three U.S. service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday morning.

In addition, several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty, CENTCOM announced.

“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” CENTCOM said.

Smoke rises over the city center after an Israeli army launches 2nd wave of airstrikes on Iran on Saturday. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.

World

At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh

BREAKING,

The Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service says that 20 others were injured by the impact.

Published On 1 Mar 2026

At least nine people have been killed after an Iranian missile strike on the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, as Tehran continued to launch retaliatory attacks a day after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes.

The Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service said on Sunday that nine people were killed and 20 other people were injured by the impact, including two in serious condition.

The Israeli military said in a statement that search and rescue teams, and a helicopter to evacuate those injured are currently operating in Beit Shemesh, with the army’s spokesperson adding that the circumstances of the impact from the Iranian ballistic missile are under review.

More to come …