Rank
1	Suriname	690 days
2	Guinea-Bissau	259.5 days
3	Haiti	224 days
4	Congo	158.5 days
5	Timor-Leste	157 days
6	Equatorial Guinea	155 days
7	Sao Tome and Principe	145 days
8	Venezuela	141 days
9	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	132.5 days
10	Brunei Darussalam	121.5 days
11	Cambodia	102 days
12	Bosnia and Herzegovina	99 days
13	Zimbabwe	94 days
14	Laos	86 days
15	Eritrea	84 days
16	Iran	80.5 days
17	Botswana	74 days
18	Costa Rica	74 days
19	Angola	68 days
20	Peru	67 days
21	Namibia	66 days
22	Tajikistan	66 days
23	Ecuador	65 days
24	State of Palestine	63.5 days
25	Chad	62 days
26	Spain	61 days
27	Eswatini	60 days
28	Togo	60 days
29	Bulgaria	56 days
30	Solomon Islands	55 days
31	Gabon	54 days
32	Cabo Verde	52 days
33	Papua New Guinea	52 days
34	Bolivia	49 days
35	Vanuatu	47 days
36	Bhutan	46 days
37	Poland	45 days
38	South Africa	45 days
39	Fiji	44 days
40	Sri Lanka	44 days
41	Belize	43 days
42	Uruguay	43 days
43	Trinidad and Tobago	41 days
44	Chile	40 days
45	Côte d'Ivoire	40 days
46	Guinea	40 days
47	Lesotho	39 days
48	Nicaragua	39 days
49	Cameroon	38.5 days
50	Sudan	38.5 days
51	Guyana	38 days
52	Djibouti	37 days
53	Malawi	37 days
54	Vietnam	37 days
55	Guatemala	36 days
56	Kuwait	35.4 days
57	Colombia	35 days
58	Czech Republic	35 days
59	Paraguay	35 days
60	Samoa	35 days
61	Thailand	35 days
62	Benin	34.5 days
63	Mozambique	34 days
64	Philippines	34 days
65	Kenya	33 days
66	Liberia	33 days
67	Seychelles	33 days
68	Belarus	32 days
69	Kiribati	31 days
70	Nepal	31 days
71	Tanzania	31 days
72	Bahamas	30.5 days
73	Iraq	30.5 days
74	Argentina	30 days
75	Slovakia	28.5 days
76	Palau	28 days
77	Ukraine	28 days
78	Saudi Arabia	27.2 days
79	Gambia	27 days
80	Kazakhstan	27 days
81	Uganda	27 days
82	Lithuania	26 days
83	Austria	25 days
84	Mali	25 days
85	Tonga	25 days
86	Luxembourg	24 days
87	Central African Republic	23 days
88	Montenegro	23 days
89	Serbia	23 days
90	Croatia	22.5 days
91	Algeria	22 days
92	Antigua and Barbuda	22 days
93	Comoros	22 days
94	North Macedonia	22 days
95	Malaysia	20.5 days
96	Slovenia	20.5 days
97	Honduras	20 days
98	Niger	20 days
99	Saint Lucia	20 days
100	Ethiopia	19 days
101	Greece	19 days
102	Grenada	19 days
103	Ireland	19 days
104	Kyrgyzstan	19 days
105	Mauritania	19 days
106	Saint Kitts and Nevis	19 days
107	Zambia	19 days
108	United Arab Emirates	18.3 days
109	Israel	18 days
110	Lebanon	18 days
111	Switzerland	18 days
112	Germany	17.5 days
113	Armenia	17 days
114	Finland	17 days
115	Marshall Islands	17 days
116	Mongolia	17 days
117	Sierra Leone	17 days
118	South Korea	17 days
119	El Salvador	16.5 days
120	Syrian Arab Republic	16.5 days
121	Burkina Faso	16 days
122	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	16 days
123	Republic of Moldova	16 days
124	Sweden	16 days
125	Latvia	15.5 days
126	Oman	15.4 days
127	Dominican Republic	15 days
128	Rwanda	14 days
129	Uzbekistan	14 days
130	Jordan	13.5 days
131	Yemen	13.5 days
132	Burundi	13 days
133	Dominica	13 days
134	Tunisia	13 days
135	Egypt	12.5 days
136	Italy	12 days
137	Madagascar	12 days
138	Morocco	12 days
139	Panama	12 days
140	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	12 days
141	United Kingdom	11.5 days
142	Ghana	11 days
143	China, Hong Kong SAR	11 days
144	Afghanistan	10.5 days
145	Turkey	10.5 days
146	Albania	10 days
147	Azerbaijan	10 days
148	Bahrain	9.3 days
149	Maldives	9 days
150	Senegal	9 days
151	Qatar	8.2 days
152	Cyprus	8 days
153	Jamaica	8 days
154	Netherlands	8 days
155	Romania	8 days
156	Portugal	7 days
157	Puerto Rico	7 days
158	Denmark	6.5 days
159	Estonia	6.5 days
160	France	6.5 days
161	Mauritius	6.5 days
162	Hungary	6 days
163	Norway	6 days
164	Canada	5.5 days
165	Iceland	5 days
166	Belgium	4.5 days
167	Singapore	3.5 days
168	Georgia	3 days
169	Australia	2.5 days
170	New Zealand	0.5 days

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

Algeria

In 2008, Algeria ranked #91 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking 22 days to complete the process. This duration is significantly longer than the global average, indicating potential barriers for entrepreneurs. Factors contributing to this lengthy timeframe include bureaucratic inefficiencies and regulatory complexities in the business environment, which can deter new ventures and investment in the country.

Liberia

In 2008, Liberia ranked #66 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking 33 days to complete the process. This duration is significantly longer than the global average, reflecting challenges in the business environment. Key drivers include post-conflict economic recovery issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory hurdles that hinder entrepreneurial activities.

Haiti

In 2008, Haiti ranked #3 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking an average of 224 days to complete the process. This duration is significantly longer than many neighboring countries, which typically require fewer days to establish a business. The prolonged timeframe is largely attributed to bureaucratic inefficiencies, a lack of infrastructure, and political instability that complicate regulatory procedures in the country.

Belgium

In 2008, Belgium ranked #166 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking 4.5 days to complete the process. This duration is notably longer than in neighboring countries like the Netherlands, which typically offers a more streamlined business setup. The lengthy timeframe can be attributed to complex regulatory requirements and bureaucratic procedures that characterize the Belgian business environment.

Comoros

In 2008, Comoros ranked #93 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking 22 days to complete the process. This duration is notably longer than the global average, reflecting challenges in the business environment. Factors contributing to this extended timeframe include limited access to financial resources and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder entrepreneurs from swiftly navigating the startup landscape.

Ireland

In 2008, Ireland ranked #103 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking an average of 19 days. This duration is longer than the European Union average, reflecting challenges in regulatory processes. Factors contributing to this timeframe include a complex business registration system and varying local authority requirements, which can hinder swift entrepreneurship.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan ranked #147 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business in 2008, taking an average of 10 days to establish a new enterprise. This duration is notably longer than in many neighboring countries, reflecting challenges in the business environment. Factors contributing to this include bureaucratic hurdles and a regulatory framework that can be cumbersome for entrepreneurs, which may deter foreign investment and slow economic growth.

Iran

In 2008, Iran ranked #16 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking an average of 80.5 days to complete the process. This duration is significantly longer than the global average, which reflects challenges in regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic processes. Factors contributing to this extended timeframe include a complex legal environment and economic sanctions that have impacted business operations and investment climate in the country.

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde ranked #32 globally in 2008 for the Time Required to Start a Business, taking 52 days to complete the process. This duration is notably shorter than the global average, reflecting the country's commitment to improving its business environment. Key drivers of this efficiency include streamlined regulatory processes and a growing focus on entrepreneurship to diversify the economy beyond tourism and fishing.

France

In 2008, France ranked #160 globally for the Time Required to Start a Business with a value of 6.5 days. This duration is significantly longer than many of its European neighbors, reflecting a challenging regulatory environment. Key factors contributing to this statistic include complex administrative procedures and a robust labor protection framework, which, while beneficial for workers, can hinder entrepreneurial activities.

Analysis & Context

In 2008, the Time Required to Start a Business varied significantly across the globe, with Suriname leading the list at 690 days and New Zealand at the shortest with just 0.5 days. The global range underscores diverse regulatory environments that entrepreneurs face worldwide. The average time required to start a business was 39.94 days, providing a benchmark for evaluating efficiency across economies.

The Extremes: Suriname and New Zealand

The stark contrast between Suriname and New Zealand illustrates the wide disparity in regulatory efficiency. Suriname's 690 days reflect deeply entrenched bureaucratic processes that can hinder business formation and economic dynamism. In contrast, New Zealand's efficient system, requiring only 0.5 days, highlights its streamlined regulatory framework, often cited as a model for fostering entrepreneurial activity. This efficiency is crucial for attracting foreign investment and stimulating economic growth.

Regional Patterns and Economic Implications

Regions with longer times required to start a business, such as parts of Africa and Latin America, often correlate with broader economic challenges. For example, Guinea-Bissau and Haiti have lengthy durations of 259.5 and 224 days respectively, reflecting complex regulatory environments and potential barriers to economic development. These prolonged times can deter investment and limit job creation. Conversely, countries like Australia and Singapore, with 2.5 and 3.5 days respectively, benefit from policies that encourage rapid business establishment, contributing to robust economic performance and innovation.

Policy Reforms and Year-over-Year Trends

Several countries showed significant year-over-year changes in the time required to start a business, highlighting the impact of policy reforms. Yemen and Senegal saw substantial decreases of 50 and 49 days, corresponding to -78.7% and -84.5% reductions, respectively. These improvements often result from targeted reforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles, thereby making the business environment more attractive. Conversely, Congo experienced an increase of 120 days (a 311.7% rise), possibly due to regulatory changes or political instability, which can increase the complexity and cost of starting a business.

Implications for Economic Growth

The time required to start a business is a critical indicator of a country's regulatory environment and economic potential. Countries like New Zealand and Georgia, with minimal barriers, are often poised for higher growth due to their ability to quickly capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities. In contrast, nations with prolonged start-up times, such as Suriname and Haiti, may struggle to attract the same level of entrepreneurial activity, limiting their economic prospects. Streamlining processes and reducing timeframes can significantly boost a country's attractiveness to investors and entrepreneurs alike, fostering a more dynamic economic landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Required to Start a Business in 2008

Which country required the most time to start a business in 2008?

Suriname required the most time to start a business in 2008, taking 690 days.

Which country required the least time to start a business in 2008?

New Zealand required the least time to start a business in 2008, taking just 0.5 days.

What was the average time required to start a business across all countries in 2008?

The average time required to start a business across all countries in 2008 was 39.94 days.

What was the median time required to start a business in 2008?

The median time required to start a business in 2008 was 24.5 days.

Which countries were in the top 3 for the longest time required to start a business in 2008?

The top 3 countries for the longest time required to start a business in 2008 were Suriname with 690 days, Guinea-Bissau with 260 days, and Haiti with 224 days.

How many countries were included in the dataset for time required to start a business in 2008?

The dataset included 170 countries for the time required to start a business in 2008.

Data Source

Time required to start a business | Doing Business project, World Bank via Our World in Data

Data produced by Doing Business project, World Bank, compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Time required to start a business".

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Cite this page

Geo Factbook. (n.d.). Time Required to Start a Business by Country, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/fact/time-required-to-start-a-business/2008

The figures on this page come from Time required to start a business | Doing Business project, World Bank via Our World in Data. For academic work, cite the original source as well.

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