South Africa ranks eighth globally for business startup interest

South Africa has ranked eighth globally as a destination for starting a business, according to research by MoneySuperMarket. The study analyzed Google search volumes across 249 countries, cities, and US states to identify where prospective entrepreneurs are researching business opportunities.

With 7,780 annual searches for the phrase ‘starting a business in South Africa’, the country placed ahead of several established business hubs, including Switzerland, Spain, Saudi Arabia, France, and India. The top three positions in the global ranking were held by the UK, Australia, and Canada.

The research also highlighted a trend of South Africans seeking opportunities outside their own borders. South Africa ranked ninth globally for searches regarding starting a business abroad, with 10,090 annual searches. The United States led the world in searches for overseas business opportunities, followed by the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.