List of the World's Oldest Businesses

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According to Santa Fe Institute study from 2015, the average company lasts roughly 10 years before being acquired, merged, or shut down completely. However, some companies have endured the test of time and are still in operation today. Using information from several web sources, the UK company BusinessFinancing.co.uk has compiled a list of what it considers to be each nation's oldest still-running corporation.

Japan's Kongo Gumi, a construction firm, tops the list as the oldest business in the world. The earliest recognized temple in Japan, Shitennoji Temple, was built by three men after Prince Shotoku requested their assistance in 578, according to the company's website. One of the men was Shigemitsu Kongo, the creator of Kongo Gumi. Even after it joined the Takamatsu Construction Group in 2008, Kongo Gumi continues to build temples throughout Japan using both conventional techniques and contemporary technologies.

According to BusinessFinance.co.uk, Austria is the country with the second-oldest business, and its St. Peter Stiftskulinarium restaurant in Salzburg first opened its doors 803 years ago. It is thought that notable individuals including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Christopher Columbus have dined here. Germany follows Austria with the establishment of the Staffelter Hof Winery, Distillery, and Guesthouse in 862. Next are France and England, both of which have mints: Monnaie de Paris opened in 864 and The Royal Mint in 886. Since a business cannot exist without money, it is maybe not surprising that the oldest businesses in 43 countries, like France and England, are engaged in banking or finance.