Fewer enterprises open in Q1

The number of enterprise openings decreased by three per cent in the first quarter of 2019 from the respective quarter of the year before, according to Statistics Finland.

The number of enterprise openings decreased most in the industry of trade and increased most in the industry of transport and storage from one year ago.

There were 10,363 enterprise openings in January to March 2019. There were 323 fewer enterprises openings than in the corresponding period in 2018.

Examined by industry, the number of enterprise openings was highest in professional, scientific and technical activities. Altogether 1,833 enterprises were opened in this industry, which was 18 per cent of all enterprise openings in the first quarter.

There was second most enterprise openings in the industry of trade, 1,218 enterprises and third most in the construction industry, 1,129 enterprises.

Compared with the first quarter in 2018 the highest drop in enterprise openings was recorded in the industry of trade and the highest increase in the industry of transport and storage.