Home > Statistics > Enterprise openings and closures > 2014 > 1st quarter > Increasingly fewer new enterprises in Finland

Published: 24 July 2014

Increasingly fewer new enterprises in Finland

According to Statistics Finland, the number of enterprise openings decreased by 10.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 from the respective quarter of the year before. Examined by industry, enterprise openings and closures were most numerous in trade, and examined by region in Uusimaa.

Enterprise openings by region, 1st quarter

Enterprise openings, 1st quarter of 2014

According to Statistics Finland, there were 8,710 enterprise openings in the first quarter of 2014. Enterprise openings decreased by 10.3 per cent from the first quarter of 2013, when they numbered 9,708. Enterprise openings accounted for 2.6 per cent of the total stock of enterprises in the first quarter of 2014.

Examined by industry, the number of enterprise openings was highest in trade, where they numbered 1,459, or 16.7 per cent of all enterprise openings in the first quarter. In professional, scientific and technical activities, enterprise openings numbered 1,401 (16.1%) and in construction 1,021 (11.7%).

Examined by region, the number of enterprise openings was highest in the first quarter of 2014 in Uusimaa, where it was 3,138. The number of enterprise openings was next highest in Varsinais-Suomi (788) and Pirkanmaa (769). Relative to the enterprise stock, the number of enterprise openings was highest in Uusimaa (2.8%). Compared to the first quarter of 2013, the number of enterprise openings was highest in Satakunta (5) and decreased most in Uusimaa (-347).

Examined by sub-regional unit, in the first quarter of 2014, the number of enterprise openings was highest in the sub-regional unit of Helsinki (2,954), followed by the sub-regional units of Tampere (626) and Turku (521). Relative to the enterprise stock, the number of enterprise openings was highest in the sub-regional unit of Jyväskylä (3.1%). Compared to the first quarter of 2013, enterprise openings increased most in the sub-regional unit of Kouvola (11) and decreased most in the sub-regional unit of Helsinki (-332).

Examined by municipality, the highest numbers of enterprise openings were recorded in the first quarter of 2014 in Helsinki (1,545), followed by Espoo (447), Tampere (374), Vantaa (332) and Turku (312). Relative to the enterprise stock, the number of enterprise openings was highest in Maaninka (5.0%) and Luhanka (4.8%). Compared to the first quarter of 2013, enterprise openings increased most in Seinäjoki (14), Kouvola (13), Ylivieska (10) and Kerava (10), and decreased most in Helsinki (-240) and Tampere (-106).

Examined by legal form, in the first quarter of 2014, enterprise openings of the form of natural person numbered 4,577 and those of the form of limited company 3,353. Enterprise openings of the form of natural person accounted for 52.5 per cent and those of the form of limited company for 38.5 per cent of all enterprise openings.

Enterprise closures, 4th quarter 2013

According to Statistics Finland, there were 11,304 enterprise closures in the fourth quarter of 2013. Enterprise closures accounted for 3.3 per cent of the total stock of enterprises in the fourth quarter of 2013. Due to a break in the time series, the number of enterprise closures cannot be compared with previous quarters. See "Changes in these statistics".

Examined by industry, the number of closures was highest in trade, where they numbered 2,170, or 19.2 per cent of all enterprise closures in the fourth quarter. In professional, scientific and technical activities enterprise closures numbered 1,747 (15.5%) and in construction 1,710 (15.1%).

Examined by region, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the number of enterprise closures was highest in Uusimaa (3,639). The number of enterprise closures was next highest in Varsinais-Suomi (1,148) and Pirkanmaa (1,097). Relative to the enterprise stock, the numbers of enterprise closures were highest, or 3.6 per cent of the stock in each, in South Karelia, Central Finland, Varsinais-Suomi and Pirkanmaa.

Examined by sub-regional unit, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the number of enterprise closures was highest in the sub-regional unit of Helsinki (3,420), followed by the sub-regional units of Tampere (852) and Turku (744). Relative to the size of enterprise stock, the share of enterprise closures was highest in the sub-regional unit of Jämsä (4.1%).

Examined by municipality, the highest numbers of enterprise closures were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013 in Helsinki (1,838), followed by Tampere (490), Espoo (471) and Turku (419).

Examined by legal form, in the fourth quarter of 2013, enterprise closures of the form of natural person numbered 6,066 and those of the form of limited company 3,966. Enterprise closures of the form of natural person accounted for 53.6 per cent and those of the form of limited company for 35.1 per cent of all enterprise closures.

Enterprise closures by region, 4th quarter

The time series of the statistics has been broken

The time series of the statistics has been broken and the enterprise openings for the first quarter of 2014 can only be compared with the number of enterprise openings in 2013 but not with data for preceding periods. Correspondingly, the number of enterprise closures in the fourth quarter of 2013 cannot be compared with earlier periods. Old data are visible in their own database table under Tables on the Database tables page.

The data for the statistics on enterprise openings and closures have changed as Statistics Finland's business statistics system was renewed. In connection with the renewal, the formation of data on enterprise closures was revised, which raises the number of enterprise closures. The renewals also have an effect on the classifiers of data, such as legal form, municipality of domicile and industry. The number of closures grows as the date of closing operation could be deduced more precisely. For this reason, the closure of operations for some enterprises is considered to have taken place earlier than before and some of the previously operating enterprises are regarded as having closed down. The time of enterprise openings and closures is determined based on the Tax Administration's data describing VAT liability and operation as an employer.

Source: Business Register: Enterprise openings and closures. Enterprise openings, 2014 1st quarter; enterprise closures, 2013 4th quarter. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Marketta Kaskirinne-Salo 029 551 3542, Jaakko Salmela 029 551 3454, yritys.rekisteri@stat.fi

Director in charge: Hannele Orjala

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Enterprise openings and closures by industry (24.7.2014)

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Updated 24.7.2014