The World Bank evaluated and ranked 178 economies worldwide to evaluate the ease of conducting business for its “Doing Business 2008” annual report.
This post was compiled from straightforward stats of each element in individual country profiles, then arranged in ascending/descending order according to favorability, an option not available on the World Bank website. It is a convenience provided for my readers — it is not my methodology, and it is not an analysis.
*Those seeking analysis specific to Greece can source a list I included at the end of this post. None of the articles on the list were used to write this one.
Starting a business in Greece
If you came to this post by mistake and seek practical information on starting a business in Greece, go to “How to start a business in Greece.”
Country Selection
For the purpose of this site’s target audience, the field was narrowed to:
a) High income EU member states, which includes Greece (marked in blue);
b) Czech Republic, a high middle income country with nearly the same population as Greece for comparison purposes, to dispel the belief that efficiency is tied to wealth;
c) Bulgaria, a low income country for comparison purposes, to show that new members are not inferior;
d) USA, Canada and Australia, where many of Greece’s immigrants or repatriated citizens hail;
e) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) region average, of which Greece is a member.
It is assumed that those interested in this topic are familiar with the terms and ratings referenced, therefore lengthy explanations on methodology and technical descriptions were not included, although you are free to go directly to the World Bank and view them. Links can be clicked to expand any topic in more detail.
* If your country is not listed above, click the link I’ve provided at the end of each section that will take you to the topic of concern, then find your country on the alphabetical list.
OVERALL RANKING
The overall ranking reflects the performance of each country amongst all elements, including starting a business, dealing with licenses, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business.
Each of these elements is given a section below marked in CAPS and color-coded, first showing the overall ranking of countries for that element, then a breakdown of how that ranking was obtained.
As the public sector is a major and often vital factor contributing to economic growth and the creation of jobs, a favorable business climate is essential to the well-being and prosperity of a country’s economy.
3. USA
5. Denmark
6. UK
7. Canada
8. Ireland
9. Australia
11. Norway
13. Finland
14. Sweden
16. Switzerland
19. Belgium
20. Germany
21. Netherlands
25. Austria
31. France
37. Portugal
38. Spain
42. Luxembourg
46. Bulgaria
53. Italy
56. Czech Republic
100. Greece
* See “Rankings” in its entirety
POPULATION AND GNI (GDP)
To get a sense of the westernized and EU countries presented, a ranking according to gross national income (GNI) per capita (Latin for ‘per person’) and respective population is provided.
GNI is the total value of goods and services produced within a country (i.e. gross domestic product or GDP), plus income received from other countries, minus similar payments made to other countries.
Country | GNI/capita | Population |
High income | ||
Luxembourg | 76,040.00 | 462,041 |
Norway | 66,530.00 | 4,643,659 |
Switzerland | 57,230.00 | 7,441,474 |
Denmark | 51,700.00 | 5,428,524 |
Ireland | 45,580.00 | 4,209,446 |
USA | 44,970.00 | 298,988,098 |
Sweden | 43,580.00 | 9,045,727 |
Netherlands | 42,670.00 | 16,371,353 |
Finland | 40,650.00 | 5,255,049 |
UK | 40,180.00 | 60,360,799 |
Austria | 39,590.00 | 8,240,028 |
Belgium | 38,600.00 | 10,485,710 |
Germany | 36,620.00 | 82,411,438 |
France | 36,550.00 | 61,037,508 |
Canada | 36,170.00 | 32,556,462 |
Australia | 35,990.00 | 20,520,941 |
Italy | 32,020.00 | 58,570,995 |
Spain | 27,570.00 | 43,546,304 |
Greece | 21,690.00 | 11,112,985 |
Portugal | 18,100.00 | 10,589,652 |
High middle income | ||
Czech Republic | 12,680.00 | 10,218,425 |
Low income | ||
Bulgaria | 3,990.00 | 7,699,020 |
To view a country’s individual profile, go to the World Bank Doing Business site and select the ‘economy’ of your choice in the right upper corner. All are available in English, Espanol, Francais, Portugues, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.
STARTING A BUSINESS
The ease in starting a business sets the tone for a long and hopefully prosperous relationship between investors and the country of concern.
1. Australia
2. Canada
4. USA
5. Ireland
6. UK
16. Finland
18. Denmark
19. Belgium
22. Sweden
28. Norway
35. Switzerland
38. Portugal
41. Luxembourg
41. Netherlands
65. Italy
71. Germany
83. Austria
91. Czech Republic
100. Bulgaria
118. Spain
152. Greece
See “Starting a Business” in its entirety or view the steps in detail at, “How to start a new business in Greece.”
Procedures
Procedures refers to the bureaucracy and legal hurdles involved for an entrepreneur to register a new business, with the intention of launching a commercial or industrial firm with up to 50 employees.
# of steps | Country |
2 | Australia, Canada |
3 | Belgium, Finland, Sweden |
4 | Denmark, Ireland |
5 | France |
6 | OECD, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, UK, USA |
7 | Portugal |
8 | Austria |
9 | Bulgaria, Germany, Italy |
10 | Czech Republic, Spain |
15 | Greece |
Duration
Duration is the average amount of time spent to complete all business startup procedures.
# of days | Country |
2 | Australia |
3 | Canada |
4 | Belgium |
6 | Denmark, USA |
7 | France, Portugal |
10 | Netherlands, Norway |
13 | Ireland, Italy, UK |
14 | Finland |
14.9 | OECD |
15 | Sweden |
17 | Czech Republic |
18 | Germany |
20 | Switzerland |
26 | Luxembourg |
28 | Austria |
32 | Bulgaria |
38* | Greece |
47 | Spain |
* In reality, it may be more like 180 days; for non-EU citizens, it could be at least a year or never.
Cost
The official cost of completing all procedures to start a business, expressed in percentage of GNI per capita. This figure does not include bribes or other unofficial expenses, which may be required or requested in some countries.
% of GNI/capita | Country |
0 | Denmark |
0.3 | Ireland |
0.6 | Sweden |
0.7 | USA |
0.8 | Australia, UK |
0.9 | Canada |
1.0 | Finland |
1.1 | France |
2.1 | Switzerland |
2.3 | Luxembourg, Norway |
3.4 | Portugal |
5.1 | OECD |
5.3 | Belgium |
5.4 | Austria |
5.7 | Germany |
6.0 | Netherlands |
8.4 | Bulgaria |
10.6 | Czech Republic |
15.1 | Spain |
18.7 | Italy |
23.3 | Greece |
Minimum capital
The minimum amount of capital needed to start a business, expressed as a percentage of GNI per capita.
% of GNI/capita | Country |
0 | Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, UK, USA |
7.7 | Finland |
9.8 | Italy |
13.7 | Spain |
13.9 | Switzerland |
20.1 | Belgium |
20.5 | Luxembourg |
23.4 | Norway |
31.1 | Sweden |
32.5 | OECD |
34.7 | Portugal |
40.7 | Denmark |
42.8 | Germany |
34.9 | Czech Republic |
52.9 | Netherlands |
55.5 | Austria |
56.3 | Bulgaria |
104.1 | Greece |
DEALING WITH LICENSES
Most businesses need a warehouse, which requires securing licenses and permits, passing inspections and connecting utilities.
6. Denmark
16. Germany
17. France
17. Sweden
20. Ireland
24. USA
26. Canada
29. Switzerland
36. Luxembourg
37. Belgium
39. Finland
40. Austria
42. Greece
46. Spain
52 Australia
54. UK
55. Norway
78. Italy
83. Czech Republic
84. Netherlands
103. Bulgaria
112. Portugal
See “Dealing with Licenses” in its entirety.
Procedures
# of steps | Country |
6 | Denmark |
8 | Sweden |
11 | Ireland, Spain |
12 | Germany |
13 | Austria, France, Luxembourg |
14 | OECD, Belgium, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Norway |
15 | Greece |
16 | Australia |
18 | Finland, Netherlands |
19 | UK, USA |
20 | Portugal |
22 | Bulgaria |
36 | Czech Republic |
Duration
# of days | Country |
38 | Finland |
40 | USA |
69 | Denmark |
75 | Canada |
100 | Germany |
116 | Sweden |
131 | Bulgaria |
137 | France |
144 | UK |
153.3 | OECD |
154 | Switzerland |
169 | Belgium, Greece |
180 | Czech Republic |
185 | Ireland |
194 | Austria |
217 | Luxembourg |
221 | Australia |
230 | Netherlands |
233 | Spain |
252 | Norway |
257 | Italy |
327 | Portugal |
Average Cost
% of GNI/capita | Country |
13.2 | Australia |
13.4 | USA |
18.5 | Czech Republic |
19.4 | Luxembourg |
19.8 | Ireland |
24.9 | France |
46.2 | Norway |
52.7 | Switzerland |
54.0 | Portugal |
61.7 | Greece |
61.8 | Denmark |
62.2 | OECD |
63.1 | Germany |
63.7 | Belgium |
64.6 | UK |
64.9 | Spain |
73.7 | Austria |
76.0 | Netherlands |
106.4 | Sweden |
122.3 | Finland |
125.4 | Canada |
138.2 | Italy |
499.99 | Bulgaria |
EMPLOYING WORKERS
1. USA
8. Australia
10. Denmark
19. Canada
20. Switzerland
21. UK
36. Belgium
37. Ireland
55. Czech Republic
56. Italy
57. Bulgaria
62. Austria
92. Netherlands
94. Norway
107. Sweden
127. Finland
137. Germany
142. Greece
144. France
154 Spain
157. Portugal
164. Luxembourg
See “Employing Workers” in its entirety.
Difficulty in hiring
The ease or difficulty in hiring new employees depends not only on the availability or surplus of candidates, but how suited they are to job vacancies (overqualified/underqualified) and labor regulations.
Rating | Country |
0 | Australia, Denmark, Switzerland, USA |
11 | Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, UK |
17 | Bulgaria, Netherlands, Sweden |
25.2 | OECD |
33 | Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Portugal |
44 | Finland, Greece |
61 | Norway |
67 | France, Luxembourg |
78 | Spain |
Rigidity of hours index
Rigidity of hours refers to restrictions on lengthening or shortening the number of working hours. Countries with a ‘0’ rating have the most flexibility, usually offering a number of shifts (day/night/graveyard), part-time/full-time possibilities and job sharing.
Rating | Country |
0 | Australia, Canada, UK, USA |
20 | Denmark, Ireland |
39.2 | OECD |
40 | Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland |
60 | Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden |
80 | Greece, Luxembourg |
Difficulty of firing index
Ease and expense involved in dismissing a redundant employee.
Rating | Country |
0 | Canada, USA |
10 | Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, UK |
20 | Czech Republic, Ireland |
27.9 | OECD |
30 | Spain |
40 | Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden |
50 | Portugal |
70 | Netherlands 70 |
Rigidity of employment
Rigidity of employment refers to the average of the above three ratings: difficulty in hiring, rigidity of hours, difficulty in firing.
Rating | Country |
0 | USA |
3 | Australia |
4 | Canada |
7 | UK |
10 | Denmark |
17 | Ireland, Switzerland |
20 | Belgium |
29 | Bulgaria |
30.8 | OECD |
31 | Czech Republic |
37 | Austria |
39 | Sweden |
42 | Netherlands |
44 | Germany |
47 | Norway |
48 | Finland, Portugal |
55 | Greece |
56 | France, Spain |
62 | Luxembourg |
Non-wage labor cost
% of salary | Country |
1 | Denmark |
8 | USA |
11 | Ireland, UK |
13 | Canada, Luxembourg |
14 | Norway |
15 | Switzerland |
18 | Netherlands |
19 | Germany |
20 | Australia |
20.7 | OECD |
23 | Bulgaria |
24 | Portugal |
26 | Finland |
28 | Greece |
31 | Austria |
32 | Sweden |
33 | Spain |
35 | Czech Republic |
38 | Italy |
47 | France |
55 | Belgium |
Firing costs (weeks of wages)
The cost of firing a redundant employee. Some countries have regulations that require a payout of compensation, others do not.
# weeks | Country |
0 | Denmark, USA |
2 | Austria |
4 | Australia |
9 | Bulgaria |
13 | Norway, Switzerland |
16 | Belgium |
17 | Netherlands |
22 | Czech Republic, UK |
24 | Greece, Ireland |
25.7 | OECD |
26 | Finland, Sweden |
28 | Canada |
32 | France |
37 | Italy |
39 | Luxembourg |
56 | Spain |
69 | Germany |
95 | Portugal |
REGISTERING PROPERTY
Most entrepreneurs require land, a building and/or an office space. The World Bank evaluated this topic on the assumption the property is in the country’s biggest city, previously registered (not newly built) and free of title dispute.
6. Norway
7. Sweden
10. USA
12. Switzerland
17. Finland
17. Australia
19. UK
22. Netherlands
28. Canada
30. Austria
39. Denmark
42. Spain
47. Germany
49. Italy
54. Czech Republic
62. Bulgaria
65. Portugal
79. Ireland
93. Greece
116. Luxembourg
159. France
161. Belgium
See “Registering Property” in its entirety.
Procedures
The number of procedures legally required to register property.
# weeks |
Country |
1 | Norway, Sweden |
2 | Netherlands, UK |
3 | Finland |
4 | Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, USA |
5 | Australia, Ireland, Italy, Portugal |
6 | Canada, Denmark |
6.4 | OECD average |
7 | Belgium |
8 | Luxembourg, Spain |
9 | Bulgaria, France |
12 | Greece |
Duration
The average amount of time spent completing procedures.
# of days | Country |
2 | Sweden |
3 | Norway |
5 | Australia, Netherlands |
12 | USA |
14 | Finland |
16 | Switzerland |
17 | Canada |
18 | Spain |
19 | Bulgaria |
21 | UK |
23 | Greece |
27 | Italy |
28 | OECD |
29 | Luxembourg |
32 | Austria |
38 | Ireland |
40 | Germany |
42 | Denmark, Portugal |
123 | Czech Republic, France |
132 | Belgium |
Cost of registering property
Fees, transfer taxes, stamp duties and other payments for property registry, notaries, public agencies or lawyers. The cost is expressed as a percentage of the property value, assuming a property value of 50 times income per capita.
% property value |
Country |
0.4 | Switzerland |
0.5 | USA |
0.6 | Denmark, Italy |
1.8 | Canada |
2.3 | Bulgaria |
2.5 | Norway |
3.0 | Czech Republic, Sweden |
4.0 | Finland, Greece |
4.1 | UK |
4.6 | OECD |
4.5 | Austria |
4.9 | Australia |
5.2 | Germany |
6.1 | France |
6.2 | Netherlands |
7.1 | Spain |
7.4 | Portugal |
10.2 | Ireland, Luxembourg |
12.7 | Belgium |
GETTING CREDIT
According to the World Bank, this section “covers credit information registries and the effectiveness of collateral and bankruptcy laws in facilitating lending to entrepreneurs.”
1. UK
3. Australia
3. Germany
7. Canada
7. Ireland
7. USA
13. Bulgaria
13. Denmark
13. Netherlands
13. Spain
26. Austria
26. Czech Republic
26. Finland
26. Switzerland
36. France
36. Norway
36. Sweden
48. Belgium
68. Italy
68. Portugal
84. Greece
97. Luxembourg
See “Getting Credit” in its entirety.
Legal Rights Index
The Legal Rights Index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws facilitate lending, with ’10’ being the highest rating.
Rating | Country |
10 | UK |
9 | Australia |
8 | Denmark, Germany, Ireland |
7 | Canada, Netherlands, USA |
6.4 | OECD |
6 | Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
5 | Austria, Belgium |
4 | Portugal |
3 | Greece, Italy |
Credit Information Index
The Credit Information Index assesses rules affecting the scope, access and quality of credit information, with ’10’ being the highest rating.
Rating | Country |
6 | Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Spain, UK, USA |
5 | Australia, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland |
4.8 | OECD |
4 | Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Sweden |
0 | Luxembourg |
Public registry coverage
A country’s combined percentage of public and private data should be considered when understanding the full scope of coverage. i.e. The USA has 0% public, but 100% private. Greece, on the other hand, has a combined percentage of 38%.
% | Country |
67.1 | Portugal |
57.2 | Belgium |
44.9 | Spain |
25.4 | Bulgaria |
24.8 | France |
11.0 | Italy |
8.6 | OECD |
4.2 | Czech Republic |
1.3 | Austria |
0.7 | Germany |
0 | Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA |
Private bureau coverage
% | Country |
100 | Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, USA |
98.1 | Germany |
84.6 | UK |
78.1 | Netherlands |
71.5 | Italy |
59.3 | OECD |
53.0 | Czech Republic |
40.6 | Austria |
38.7 | Greece |
24.0 | Switzerland |
14.9 | Finland |
11.5 | Denmark |
11.3 | Portugal |
8.3 | Spain |
3.0 | Bulgaria |
0 | Belgium, France, Luxembourg |
PROTECTING INVESTORS
Investors must be assured their interests are protected and empowered with an avenue of recourse. This topic measures the strength of minority shareholder protections against misuse of corporate assets by directors for their personal gain.
5. Canada
5. Ireland
5. USA
9. UK
12. Belgium
15. Norway
19. Denmark
33. Bulgaria
33. Portugal
51. Australia
51. Finland
51. Italy
51. Sweden
64. France
83. Czech Republic
83. Germany
83. Spain
98. Netherlands
107. Luxembourg
122. Austria
158. Greece
158. Switzerland
See “Protecting Investors” in its entirety.
Disclosure Index
The Extent of Disclosure Index measures the transparency of transactions, with ’10’ being the highest rating.
Rating | Country |
10 | Bulgaria, France, Ireland, UK |
8 | Australia, Belgium, Canada |
7 | Denmark, Italy, Norway, USA |
6.4 | OECD |
6 | Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden |
5 | Germany, Spain |
4 | Netherlands |
3 | Austria |
2 | Czech Republic |
1 | Greece |
0 | Switzerland |
Liability
The Extent of Director Liability Index measures the liability for self-dealing, with ’10’ being the highest rating.
Rating | Country |
9 | Canada, USA |
7 | UK |
6 | Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Spain |
5.1 | OECD |
5 | Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland |
4 | Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden |
3 | Greece |
2 | Australia |
1 | Bulgaria, France |
Shareholder Suits Index
The Ease of Shareholder Suits Index measures the shareholders’ ability to sue officers and directors for misconduct, with ’10’ being the highest rating.
Rating | Country |
9 | Ireland, USA |
8 | Canada, Czech Republic |
7 | Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, UK |
6.5 | OECD |
5 | Italy, Netherlands, France, Germany, Greece |
4 | Austria, Spain, Switzerland |
3 | Luxembourg |
Investor Protection Index
The Investor Protection Index is the combined strength of all three indices above — Extent of Disclosure Index, Extent of Director Liability Index, Ease of Shareholder Suit Index — with ’10’ being the highest possible rating.
Rating | Country |
8.3 | Canada, Ireland, USA |
8.0 | UK |
7.0 | Belgium |
6.7 | Norway |
6.3 | Denmark |
6.0 | OECD, Bulgaria, Portugal |
5.7 | Australia, Finland, Italy, Sweden |
5.3 | France |
5.0 | Czech Republic, Germany, Spain |
4.7 | Netherlands |
4.3 | Luxembourg |
4.0 | Austria |
3.0 | Greece, Switzerland |
PAYING TAXES
Paying Taxes addresses taxes and mandatory contributions that a mid-sized company must pay or withhold annually, in addition to administrative burden.
6. Ireland
12. UK
13. Denmark
15. Switzerland
16. Norway
17. Luxembourg
25. Canada
36. Netherlands
41. Australia
42. Sweden
65. Belgium
66. Portugal
67. Germany
76. USA
80. Austria
82. France
83. Finland
86. Greece
88. Bulgaria
93. Spain
113. Czech Republic
122. Italy
See “Paying Taxes” in its entirety.
Tax Payments
Total number of tax payments per year.
# | Country |
2 | Sweden |
4 | Norway |
8 | Portugal, Spain, UK |
9 | Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands |
10 | USA |
11 | Belgium |
12 | Australia, Czech Republic |
15 | Italy |
15.1 | OECD |
16 | Germany |
17 | Bulgaria |
20 | Finland |
21 | Greece |
22 | Austria, Luxembourg |
23 | France |
24 | Switzerland |
Time
The time it takes to prepare, file and pay or withhold corporate income tax, value added tax (VAT) and social security/insurance contributions.
Hours | Country |
58 | Luxembourg |
63 | Switzerland |
76 | Ireland |
87 | Norway |
105 | UK |
107 | Australia |
119 | Canada |
122 | Sweden |
132 | France |
135 | Denmark |
156 | Belgium |
170 | Austria |
180 | Netherlands |
183.3 | OECD |
196 | Germany |
264 | Greece |
269 | Finland |
298 | Spain |
325 | USA |
328 | Portugal |
360 | Italy 360 |
616 | Bulgaria |
930 | Czech Republic |
Profit tax
The average amount of declared taxes on profits paid by the business, expressed as a percentage of commercial profits. Unofficial or undeclared profits and tax dodging are separate matters and not included.
% | Country |
5.4 | Belgium |
5.9 | Czech Republic |
6.6 | Bulgaria |
8.3 | France |
8.4 | Switzerland |
14.2 | Ireland |
15.1 | Austria, Greece |
15.2 | Portugal |
16.5 | Sweden |
16.7 | Luxembourg |
17.0 | Finland |
20.0 | OECD |
21.3 | UK |
21.6 | Germany |
23.7 | Spain |
24.9 | Norway |
26.0 | Canada, Netherlands |
26.9 | Australia |
28.0 | Denmark |
30.8 | Italy |
Labor tax and contributions
Labor tax and contributions include mandatory social security contributions paid by the employer both to public and private entities, as well as other taxes or contributions related to employing workers, and is expressed as a percentage of commercial profits. Illegal employment is a separate matter and not included.
% | Country |
2.5 | Denmark |
11.3 | UK |
12.1 | Ireland |
12.3 | Canada |
15.8 | Netherlands |
15.9 | Norway |
16.7 | Luxembourg |
17.2 | Switzerland |
21.7 | Germany |
22.2 | Australia |
22.8 | OECD |
26.6 | Bulgaria |
26.8 | Portugal |
27.1 | USA |
29.7 | Finland |
31.7 | Greece |
34.5 | Austria |
36.4 | Sweden |
37.6 | Spain |
39.5 | Czech Republic |
43.2 | Italy |
52.1 | France |
57.1 | Belgium |
Other taxes
Mandatory taxes and contributions outside the first two categories.
% | Country |
0.8 | Spain |
1.0 | Finland |
1.3 | Norway |
1.5 | Australia |
1.6 | Netherlands |
1.7 | Sweden |
1.8 | Belgium |
1.9 | Greece, Luxembourg |
2.2 | Italy |
2.6 | Ireland |
2.7 | Denmark |
2.8 | Portugal |
3.2 | Czech Republic, UK |
3.4 | OECD |
3.5 | Bulgaria |
3.6 | Switzerland |
5.0 | Austria |
5.8 | France |
7.5 | Germany |
7.6 | Canada |
9.5 | USA |
Total tax rate
Total amount of mandatory taxes and contributions paid by a business, expressed as a percentage of profit.
% of profit |
Country |
28.9 | Ireland |
29.1 | Switzerland |
33.3 | Denmark |
35.3 | Luxembourg |
35.7 | UK |
36.7 | Bulgaria |
42.0 | Norway |
43.4 | Netherlands |
44.8 | Portugal |
45.9 | Canada |
46.2 | OECD, USA |
47.8 | Finland |
48.6 | Czech Republic, Greece |
50.6 | Australia |
50.8 | Germany |
54.5 | Sweden |
54.6 | Austria |
62.0 | Spain |
64.3 | Belgium |
66.3 | France |
76.2 | Italy |
TRADING ACROSS BORDERS
The bureaucracy and ability to facilitate efficient and timely trade can greatly contribute or hamper a prosperous export/import relationship.
Trading Across Borders examines procedural requirements for exporting and importing a standardized cargo of goods. Every official procedure is counted from the contractual agreement between the 2 parties to the delivery of goods, along with the time necessary for completion. Note that a country’s proximity to the sea did not guarantee a lower cost, faster shipment or higher rating.
2. Denmark
4. Norway
5. Finland
6. Sweden
10. Germany
12. Austria
14. Netherlands
15. USA
20. Ireland
25. France
27. UK
30. Czech Republic
31. Portugal
32. Luxembourg
34. Australia
37. Switzerland
39. Canada
47. Spain
48. Belgium
62. Italy
65. Greece
89. Bulgaria
See “Trading Across Borders” in its entirety.
Documents for export
# | Country |
3 | Canada |
4 | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA |
4.5 | OECD |
5 | Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg |
6 | Australia, Portugal, Spain |
Time for export
# of days |
Country |
5 | Denmark |
6 | Luxembourg, Netherlands, USA |
7 | Canada, Germany, Ireland, Norway |
8 | Austria, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland |
9 | Australia, Spain |
9.8 | OECD |
11 | France |
13 | UK |
16 | Czech Republic, Portugal |
20 | Greece, Italy |
23 | Bulgaria |
Cost to export (per container)
US$ | Country |
420 | Finland |
518 | Norway |
540 | Denmark |
561 | Sweden |
580 | Portugal |
740 | Germany |
775 | Czech Republic |
843 | Austria |
880 | Netherlands |
905 | OECD |
930 | Australia |
940 | UK |
960 | USA |
998 | Greece |
1000 | Spain |
1028 | France |
1090 | Ireland |
1238 | Switzerland |
1250 | Luxembourg |
1291 | Italy |
1329 | Bulgaria |
1385 | Canada |
1600 | Belgium |
Documents for import
# | Country |
3 | Denmark, Sweden |
4 | Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, UK |
5 | OECD, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, USA, |
6 | Australia, Greece |
7 | Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Portugal |
8 | Spain |
Time for import
# of days |
Country |
1 | Australia |
5 | Denmark, USA |
6 | Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden |
8 | Germany, Norway, Austria, Finland |
9 | Belgium, Switzerland |
10 | Spain |
10.4 | OECD |
11 | Canada |
12 | France, Ireland |
13 | UK |
16 | Portugal |
18 | Czech Republic, Italy |
21 | Bulgaria |
25 | Greece |
Cost to import (per container)
US$ | Country |
420 | Finland |
468 | Norway |
540 | Denmark |
619 | Sweden |
765 | Germany |
843 | Austria |
860 | Czech Republic |
940 | UK |
986.1 | OECD |
994 | Portugal |
1000 | Spain |
1005 | Netherlands |
1120 | Australia |
1139 | Ireland |
1148 | France |
1160 | USA |
1245 | Greece |
1250 | Luxembourg |
1291 | Italy |
1333 | Switzerland |
1377 | Bulgaria |
1425 | Canada |
1600 | Belgium |
ENFORCING CONTRACTS
Enforcing Contracts measures the efficiency of contract enforcement by following the evolution of a sale of goods dispute and tracking the time, cost and number of procedures involved from the moment the plaintiff files the lawsuit until actual payment.
2. Luxembourg
6. Austria
7. Finland
8. USA
9. Norway
11. Australia
14. France
15. Germany
22. Belgium
24. UK
25. Switzerland
30. Denmark
36. Netherlands
39. Ireland
43. Canada
49. Portugal
53. Sweden
55. Spain
87. Greece
90. Bulgaria
97. Czech Republic
155. Italy
See “Enforcing Contracts” in its entirety.
Procedures
The number of steps a plaintiff must take from the moment (s)he files a lawsuit in court until payment disbursement.
# of steps | Country |
20 | Ireland |
25 | Netherlands |
26 | Austria, Luxembourg |
27 | Belgium, Czech Republic |
28 | Australia |
30 | France, Sweden, UK |
31.3 | OECD |
32 | Switzerland, USA |
33 | Finland, Germany, Norway |
34 | Denmark |
35 | Portugal |
36 | Canada |
39 | Greece, Spain |
40 | Bulgaria |
41 | Italy |
Duration
The average number of calendar days it took to resolve the dispute.
# of days |
Country |
233 | Finland |
262 | Australia |
300 | USA |
310 | Norway |
321 | Luxembourg |
331 | France |
340 | Denmark |
394 | Germany |
397 | Austria |
404 | UK |
417 | Switzerland |
443.3 | OECD |
505 | Belgium |
508 | Sweden |
514 | Netherlands |
515 | Ireland, Spain |
564 | Bulgaria |
570 | Canada |
577 | Portugal |
819 | Greece |
820 | Czech Republic |
1210 | Italy |
Cost (% of claim)
Cost of court and attorney fees, where the use of attorneys is mandatory or common, expressed as a percentage of the dispute’s debt value.
% of | Country |
8.8 | Luxembourg |
9.4 | USA |
9.9 | Norway |
10.4 | Finland |
11.8 | Germany |
12.7 | Austria |
14.4 | Greece |
16.2 | Canada |
16.6 | Belgium |
17.2 | Spain |
17.4 | France |
17.7 | OECD, Portugal |
20.7 | Australia |
21.2 | Switzerland |
22.2 | Bulgaria |
23.3 | Denmark |
23.4 | UK |
24.4 | Netherlands |
26.9 | Ireland |
29.9 | Italy |
31.3 | Sweden |
33.0 | Czech Republic |
CLOSING A BUSINESS
According to the World Bank, “Closing a Business identifies weaknesses in existing bankruptcy law and the main procedural and administrative bottlenecks in the bankruptcy process.”
3. Norway
4. Canada
5. Finland
6. Ireland
7. Denmark
8. Netherlands
9. Belgium
10. UK
13. Australia
17. Spain
18. USA
19. Sweden
20. Portugal
21. Austria
25. Italy
29. Germany
32. France
33. Switzerland
38. Greece
46. Luxembourg
72. Bulgaria
108. Czech Republic
See “Closing a Business” in its entirety.
Duration
The average time it takes to close a business, expressed in years.
# of years |
Country |
0.4 | Ireland |
0.8 | Canada |
0.9 | Belgium, Finland, Norway |
1.0 | Australia, Spain, UK |
1.1 | Austria, Denmark, Netherlands |
1.2 | Germany |
1.3 | OECD |
1.5 | USA |
1.8 | Italy |
1.9 | France |
2.0 | Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Sweden |
3.0 | Switzerland |
3.3 | Bulgaria |
6.5 | Czech Republic |
Cost (% of income per capita)
Cost of bankruptcy proceedings, expressed as a percentage of income per capita.
% | Country |
1 | Norway |
4 | Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland |
6 | UK |
7 | USA |
7.5 | OECD |
8 | Australia, Germany |
9 | Bulgaria, France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden |
15 | Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Spain |
18 | Austria |
22 | Italy |
Recovery rate (cents on the $)
Recovery rate calculates how many cents on the dollar that claimants (creditors, tax authorities and employees) can expect to recover from an insolvent firm.
USD$ | Country |
90.7 | Norway |
88.8 | Canada |
88.2 | Finland |
87.1 | Ireland |
87.0 | Denmark |
86.7 | Netherlands |
85.5 | Belgium |
84.6 | UK |
79.2 | Australia |
76.9 | Spain |
75.9 | USA |
74.7 | Sweden |
74.1 | OECD |
74.0 | Portugal |
72.4 | Austria |
61.8 | Italy |
53.4 | Germany |
47.4 | France |
47.1 | Switzerland |
44.9 | Greece |
41.6 | Luxembourg |
32.4 | Bulgaria |
21.3 | Czech Republic |
Sources
Doing Business — World Bank
Analyses specific to Greece
“Greece missing the investment train” – Kathimerini (July 2008)
“Crisis is an opportunity” – Kathimerini (July 2008)
“Greece, where connections are everything” – Kathimerini (January 2008)
“Greek Entrepreneurship Report” — Kathimerini (November 2007)
“No grasp of entrepreneurship, originality or management” — Kathimerini (November 2007)
“Business expecting better days” — Athens News Agency (September 2007)
“It’s not privatisation if the state still controls it” (link broken) — Athens News Agency (September 2007)
“Entrepreneurship floundering” (link broken) — Athens News (August 2007)
“Greek firms thriving outside Greece” — Kathimerini (June 2007)
Photo from the DoingBusiness.org website
* Due to the time-consuming effort to compile stats, arrange rankings and code HTML, the ability to comment will be limited.
Kat Reply:
March 4th, 2008 at 21:44
Stats above are for GNI, not GDP. I don’t consider Wikipedia to be a legitimate source, Greece doesn’t do much better in OECD (I have the stats), and the World Bank has the same stats as IMF (I looked), so I’m not sure what you’re referring to. The point of the Doing Business report is to give one an overall sense of a country’s business climate, not the economy itself. If corruption is at the top of someone’s list, Greece is your man. However, people visiting this site are predominantly non-EU citizens, who do not start with a level playing field and are not usually interested in throwing away their life’s savings on bribes before a business is even approved by the Ministry.