Global Publicly Traded Companies: An Overview

The landscape of publicly traded companies is vast and ever-evolving. As of the latest data in August 2023, it is estimated that there are approximately 43,000 publicly traded companies worldwide. This figure can fluctuate due to new listings, delistings, mergers, and acquisitions, making it essential to check reliable financial news sources or stock market databases for the most current figures.

Counting Publicly Traded Companies

Estimating the total number of publicly traded companies involves considering various factors. One source, the Vanguard Total World fund holdings, lists 9,461 publicly traded companies. However, this fund does not necessarily own every share. By including Over-The-Counter (OTC) exchanges, more developing countries, and those with conflicting regulations, such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, the number rises to around 37,000 publicly traded companies. Extending this count further to include bankruptcies, American Depository Receipts (ADRs), and preferred stocks, one arrives at well over 100,000 individual securities across 135 exchanges.

Country-Specific Information

While the total number of publicly traded companies worldwide is significant, it is also helpful to understand regional and country-specific statistics. For example, in the United States, the number of publicly traded companies is around 6,000, with most listed on the NASDAQ or New York Stock Exchange. This is augmented by an additional 10,000 companies traded OTC.

Available Data Sources

Several resources can provide the most up-to-date information on publicly traded companies. The World Bank, for instance, offers data indicating over 43,000 publicly traded companies. An interesting side note is that there are over 200,000 Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), with approximately four CFAs for every company. The majority of these CFAs would be concentrated on the 2000 or so largest companies in the world.

Other Reliable Resources

For more detailed and specific information, interested individuals can access the Yahoo Screener, , and the Unibit API. The Unibit API, in particular, allows for the request of a list of all public companies sorted by exchanges via an API or CSV file. This can be a valuable tool for market analysts and investors.

Conclusion

The number of publicly traded companies worldwide is a dynamic figure, varying due to a range of factors. With this overview, businesses, investors, and analysts can have a better understanding of the global market landscape. Whether you are using the World Bank data, the Vanguard Total World fund holdings, or other reliable sources, it is clear that the total range is between 40,000 and 50,000 companies as of today.