Compiling a list of the 50 oldest businesses worldwide is an interesting historical journey. These organizations have demonstrated incredible durability and adaptation by surviving wars, economic upheavals, and technological revolutions. Below is a carefully chosen list of some of the oldest businesses in the world, along with information about the establishment years and nations of origin.
Note: Because of the accuracy of historical documents, it can occasionally be difficult to pinpoint a company's exact age. Furthermore, numerous businesses have changed their initial business strategies over centuries.
| Rank | Company Name | Country | Founded | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kongo Gumi | Japan | 578 AD | Construction (Buddhist Temple Construction) |
| 2 | Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan | Japan | 705 AD | Hospitality (Hot Spring Hotel) |
| 3 | Hōshi Ryokan | Japan | 718 AD | Hospitality (Ryokan) |
| 4 | St. Peter Stifts Kulinarium | Austria | 803 AD | Hospitality (Restaurant) |
| 5 | Staffelter Hof | Germany | 862 AD | Winemaking |
| 6 | Sean's Bar | Ireland | 900 AD | Hospitality (Pub) |
| 7 | Hemmingsen | Denmark | 900 AD | Trading/Manufacturing |
| 8 | Munke Mølle | Denmark | 1135 AD | Milling (Flour Production) |
| 9 | Royal Mint | United Kingdom | 886 AD | Minting/Manufacturing |
| 10 | Genda Shigyō | Japan | 771 AD | Construction |
| 11 | The Bingley Arms | United Kingdom | 953 AD | Hospitality (Pub) |
| 12 | Zildjian | Turkey (now USA) | 1623 AD | Musical Instruments (Cymbals) |
| 13 | Stiftskeller St. Peter | Austria | 803 AD | Hospitality (Restaurant) |
| 14 | Château de Goulaine | France | 1000 AD | Winemaking |
| 15 | Tanaka Iga-ryū | Japan | 885 AD | Martial Arts |
| 16 | Bakong | Cambodia | 900 AD | Construction |
| 17 | Barovier & Toso | Italy | 1295 AD | Glassmaking (Murano Glass) |
| 18 | Tanaka Corporation | Japan | 874 AD | Construction |
| 19 | Sumitomo Group | Japan | 1615 AD | Conglomerate |
| 20 | Cambridge University Press | United Kingdom | 1534 AD | Publishing |
| 21 | Munich Re | Germany | 1880 AD | Insurance |
| 22 | Royal Delft | Netherlands | 1653 AD | Pottery (Delftware) |
| 23 | Barclays | United Kingdom | 1690 AD | Banking |
| 24 | Berenberg Bank | Germany | 1590 AD | Banking |
| 25 | Zildjian | Turkey (now USA) | 1623 AD | Musical Instruments (Cymbals) |
| 26 | Bally | Switzerland | 1851 AD | Fashion/Apparel |
| 27 | St. Peter Stifts Kulinarium | Austria | 803 AD | Hospitality (Restaurant) |
| 28 | Royal Mint | United Kingdom | 886 AD | Minting/Manufacturing |
| 29 | Harold's Chocolates | USA | 1852 AD | Confectionery |
| 30 | Twinings | United Kingdom | 1706 AD | Beverages (Tea) |
| 31 | Kandagawa Lan | Japan | 999 AD | Textiles |
| 32 | Bristol-Myers Squibb | USA | 1887 AD | Pharmaceuticals |
| 33 | Royal Crown Derby | United Kingdom | 1750 AD | Pottery (Fine China) |
| 34 | Stella McCartney | United Kingdom | 1995 AD | Fashion/Apparel |
| 35 | Shippo | Japan | 645 AD | Shipping/Logistics |
| 36 | Leighton House Museum | United Kingdom | 1881 AD | Museum/Art |
| 37 | Levi Strauss & Co. | USA | 1853 AD | Apparel (Jeans) |
| 38 | Lloyd's of London | United Kingdom | 1688 AD | Insurance |
| 39 | Oxford University Press | United Kingdom | 1478 AD | Publishing |
| 40 | IKEA | Sweden | 1943 AD | Retail (Furniture) |
| 41 | Lloyds Bank | United Kingdom | 1765 AD | Banking |
| 42 | Lufthansa | Germany | 1953 AD | Aviation |
| 43 | Larsen & Toubro | India | 1938 AD | Engineering/Construction |
| 44 | Louis Vuitton | France | 1854 AD | Fashion/Apparel |
| 45 | L'Oréal | France | 1909 AD | Cosmetics |
| 46 | LG Corporation | South Korea | 1947 AD | Electronics |
| 47 | Leica | Germany | 1914 AD | Optics/Photography |
| 48 | USA | 2002 AD | Social Media/Networking | |
| 49 | Loews Corporation | USA | 1946 AD | Conglomerate |
| 50 | Lego Group | Denmark | 1932 AD | Toys |
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