Time required to start a business in France
France: Time required to start a business was 4 days in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Time required to start a business in France, 2003–2019
Source: Doing Business project, World Bank (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in days.
Analysis
France recorded 4 days for time required to start a business in 2019.
That represents a change of up 14.3% on the previous year and down 38.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, time required to start a business in France peaked at 41 days in 2003 and was at its lowest, 3.5 days, in 2016.
That places France 168th out of 188 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Time required to start a business in France, year by year
| Year | days | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 41 days | — |
| 2004 | 7 days | -82.9% |
| 2005 | 7 days | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 7 days | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 7 days | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 6.5 days | -7.1% |
| 2009 | 6.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 6.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 6.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 6.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 6.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 4.5 days | -30.8% |
| 2015 | 4 days | -11.1% |
| 2016 | 3.5 days | -12.5% |
| 2017 | 3.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3.5 days | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 4 days | +14.3% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 4 days is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.5 days, 47% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- France's 4 days is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.25 days, 55% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.71 days | 6.5 days | 41 days | 7 |
| 2010s | 4.9 days | 3.5 days | 6.5 days | 10 |
Countries ranked near France
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is time required to start a business in France?
- Time required to start a business in France was 4 days in 2019, according to Doing Business project, World Bank (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest time required to start a business recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 41 days in 2003.
- What is the lowest time required to start a business recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.5 days in 2016.
- How does France rank for time required to start a business?
- France ranks 168th out of 188 countries with data for 2019.
- Is time required to start a business rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Doing Business project, World Bank (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Time required to start a business. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business.