World Bank Enterprise Surveys Offer Crucial Insights into Global Business Environments
Washington, D.C., August 7, 2025 — The World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES) continue to serve as one of the most comprehensive and reliable sources of data on business conditions in economies around the world. Designed to capture the voices of business owners and senior managers, these surveys provide detailed insights into the formal sector across more than 160 countries—with expansion to over 180 economies anticipated in the near future.
Conducted at the firm level, WBES collects data directly from enterprises, focusing on a wide range of key areas including access to credit, regulatory obstacles, corruption, infrastructure quality, and overall business performance. The surveys aim to create a clear, data-driven understanding of the operational challenges and opportunities that companies face within their specific economic environments.
Each survey is nationally representative and covers a diverse range of industries and firm sizes, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the formal business landscape in each participating economy. The data not only supports policymakers and researchers in diagnosing barriers to growth and investment but also enables cross-country and over-time comparisons.
One of the core strengths of WBES is its commitment to transparency and public access. All survey data and reports are made available online, allowing users to explore indicators by country or by topic. Stakeholders—including investors, academics, government officials, and development partners—can browse and download economy-specific data or analyze individual firm responses through the WBES data portal.
By offering high-quality, granular information, the World Bank Enterprise Surveys remain a vital tool for understanding and improving the global business climate. With continued expansion and updated methodologies, the WBES initiative is poised to remain at the forefront of enterprise-level economic research.
