32 percent survived five years
A total of 32 per cent of the newly established enterprises in 2003 were still active in 2008. The average number of persons employed in these enterprises increased by a factor of four during this period.
A total of 38 747 enterprises were established in 2003 and 12 226 of the enterprises were still active after five years.
Limited liability companies had the highest survival rates
The highest survival rates in 2008 of the newly established enterprises in 2003 were found among the limited liability companies. Fifty-five per cent of the limited liability companies survived in 2008, compared to 24 per cent of the sole proprietorships.
Source: Statistics Norway
The survival rates were also influenced by the size of the enterprises in 2003. Fifty-one per cent of the enterprises with 1 or more persons employed in 2003 survived in 2003, compared to 24 per cent of the enterprises with 0 persons employed in 2003. For enterprises with 5 or more persons employed in 2003, the survival rate after five years was 67 per cent.
2 582 high growth enterprises and 199 gazelles
Approximately 18 000 enterprises had 10 or more employees as of 1 January 2006. Fourteen per cent of these enterprises were high growth enterprises measured by growth in turnover from 1 January 2006 until 1 January 2009. Six per cent of the enterprises were high growth enterprises measured by the growth in the number of employees, whereas four per cent were high growth enterprises measured by the growth in both turnover and the number of employees.
A total of 838 newly established enterprises in 2003 and 2004 had 10 or more employees as of 1 January 2006 and were still active as of 1 January 2009. Of these, 24 per cent were gazelles measured by turnover, 15 per cent were gazelles measured by the number of employees and 11 per cent were gazelles measured by both turnover and the number of employees.
These figures include all enterprises except agriculture, forestry, fishing and central government.
Source: Statistics Norway
