In the second quarter of this year, 1.000 businesses were born in Italy every day, while 670 ceased their activity. The sectors that have grown the most are: hotels, restaurants, commerce and agriculture, according to data released by Unioncamere-Infocamere on the birth and death rate of businesses.
In trend terms, these data mark a decrease compared to 2017: the positive balance of companies compared to last year decreased by over 5.000 units and stood at 31.118, when the growth was equal to 35.803. Indeed, the data relating to 2018 brings the total level of companies back to the levels of 2012, when there were 31.565 units.
In the period reported, the trend of closures equal to 4.000 more than last year was decisive, while registrations are in line with the 2017 data. Dynamics confirmed as regards the retail balance on craft businesses: 2.411 more businesses at the end of the second quarter they are equivalent to a contraction of the balance equal to about a quarter compared to the same quarter of 2017, when it was 3.166 units.
“Despite the uncertainties related to the economic slowdown – underlined the president of Unioncamere Carlo Sangalli – Italians continue to choose to do business. But we see that an increasing number of entrepreneurs are being forced out of business. Widespread diffusion of digital within company processes as in the relationship with the Public Administration is vital to make companies stronger and more competitive. Also on this issue - continues Sangalli - the Chambers of commerce are making an important contribution through the diffusion of the 4.0 language in the productive fabric and the use of telematic platforms and services that the chamber system makes available to the community".
In detail of the territorial macro-divisions, the quarterly balance records positive balances: 38% of the entire balance, equal to 12.100 businesses out of 31.811, is located in the Centre-South (of which a third in Campania: +4.071 units, of which 230 artisans) and another 25% in the central regions (7.968 enterprises, 671 of which artisans). On the other hand, the artisan sector fell in Veneto, which at the end of the second quarter had 48 fewer artisan enterprises, in Molise (-21), in Sicily (-59) and in Sardinia (-2).
The economic sectors closed the balance sheet with a surplus: significant increase in the sector of accommodation and catering activities (5.299 more companies in the quarter), followed by commerce (+5.064) and agriculture (+4.394). In relative terms, on the other hand, the most marked growth is that relating to business services and professional, technical and scientific services, which grew by 1,3% against an average growth of 0,5%.
