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Answered By: Kathryn FitzGerald
Last Updated: May 09, 2024     Views: 1061

Q.
Cost of doing business
How can I compare the costs of doing business in various countries or regions?

A.

The World Bank reports on the "cost of business start-up procedures (as % of GNI per capita).  This variable is part of their B-Ready project (formerly Doing Business). 

Lex Mundi Doing Business: Country guides providing information on the local legal and business context, including costs.

Site Selection Magazine: Expansion planning information via state, country, industry and trend reports, project profiles and economic development rankings, including an annual “Best to Invest" report.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. International Energy Statistics: Prices and costs for energy, including electricity, petroleum, natural gas and more.

U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service. Current World Production, Markets, and Trade Reports: Production and prices for agricultural products.

For historical data, KPMG's Competitive Alternatives compared the cost of doing business in various cities, countries, regions, and industries (2002-2016 available).