Business trends
This part of the site shows the results from the survey. Please alter the option in the boxes to view specific country or industry results (results in percentage).
1. How optimistic are you for the outlook of your country's economy over the next 12 months?
2. Some commentators have suggested that the world economy is finely balanced. With this in mind, which of the following factors would cause greatest concern for your business in the next 12 months?
39
Fall in consumer demand
9
Shortage of consumer credit
19
Shortage of business credit
5
Shortage of skilled labour
10
Increased cost of energy
4
Increased cost of non-fuel commodities
5
Increased cost of labour
2
Fall in property prices
3
Increased foreign competition
2
Shortage of foreign investment
1
Other
3. Please indicate the trend you expect for your business over the coming year, that is whether you expect it to increase, decrease or remain the same, in the following areas:
| Increase | Decrease | Remain the same | Not applicable |
| Turnover/revenue | 39 | 28 | 33 | 1 |
| Selling prices | 35 | 21 | 40 | 4 |
| Exports | 14 | 10 | 19 | 56 |
| Employment | 23 | 27 | 50 | 1 |
| Profitability | 31 | 36 | 31 | 1 |
| Investment in new buildings | 17 | 15 | 45 | 23 |
| Investment in plant & machinery | 27 | 15 | 42 | 16 |
4. To what extent are the following constraints on your ability to expand/grow your business? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 is not a constraint, and 5 is a major constraint:
| 1-LOW | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-HIGH |
| Cost of finance | 26 | 19 | 26 | 15 | 13 |
| Shortage of working capital | 28 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 12 |
| Shortage of long term finance | 30 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 12 |
| Regulations/red tape | 24 | 21 | 25 | 16 | 14 |
| Availability of skilled workforce | 23 | 24 | 27 | 17 | 10 |
| Shortage of orders/reduced demand | 12 | 15 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
