Opten: The number of businesses remained below 510,000 in July as well

According to the latest rapid report of the Central Statistical Office (KSH), the performance of the economy in the first half of 2024 exceeded the same period of the previous year by 1.3% based on raw data, while based on balanced data adjusted for seasonality and calendar effects, it exceeded the same period of the previous year by 1.5% level. At the same time, compared to the previous quarter, according to seasonally and calendar-adjusted, balanced data, the performance of the economy showed a 0.2% decline. The low base played a significant role in the growth of the six-month change in GDP volume, but this year’s performance still did not reach the level of the similar period in 2022.

According to OPTEN data, the number of operating social enterprises continued to decrease by more than 700 companies in July, so compared to December last year, there are currently nearly 8,000 fewer enterprises contributing to the economy’s performance. “This process has been going on since October 2022, and July is already the second month when the number of social enterprises fell below 510,000 this year. The level of terminations is not a seasonal exception, it is at a lower level than last year and recalls the period before the epidemic. However, the willingness to start is clearly low, which in my opinion reflects the state of the economic environment,” said Csaba Alföldi, OPTEN’s company information expert.