Enterprise Surveys

Enterprise Surveys is a World Bank Group program that collects firm-level data on the business environment in developing countries. Established in 2005, the program aims to provide comprehensive data on the constraints faced by businesses, including access to finance, corruption, infrastructure, and labor regulations. The World Bank, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, manages the program in collaboration with national governments, research institutions, and private sector partners. The surveys are conducted in over 135,000 firms across 140 economies, making it one of the largest datasets of its kind. The data collected covers a wide range of topics, including firm characteristics, productivity, sales, workforce, and access to services. The program's primary goal is to inform policymakers and stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities for private sector development. The Enterprise Surveys data is used to produce country reports, regional analyses, and thematic studies, as well as to monitor progress on business environment reforms. The program employs a standardized methodology to ensure comparability across countries and over time. Surveys are typically conducted face-to-face with business owners or managers, and the data is anonymized to protect respondent confidentiality. The World Bank invests significant resources in training local teams and quality control to ensure data accuracy and reliability. The Enterprise Surveys platform offers a user-friendly interface for accessing and analyzing the data, including online tools for generating custom reports and visualizations. The program has been instrumental in promoting evidence-based policy reforms, with many countries using the findings to improve their business environments. The Enterprise Surveys data is freely available to researchers, policymakers, and the public, fostering transparency and collaboration in private sector development efforts.