Challenges for companies in 2025 driven by economic uncertainty.
Study indicates that economic instability, combined with low profit margins and high labor costs, is among the main obstacles that companies in Portugal will face next year.
Economic uncertainty pointed as the biggest challenge for companies in 2025.
Portuguese to English Translation: Economic uncertainty, reduced profit margins, and high labor costs stand out as the main challenges that companies in Portugal face for the next year, according to a study released by Crédito y Caución and Iberinform, and shared by Notícias ao Minuto.
According to the Credit Risk study, "50% of the national productive fabric identifies the overall context of low economic growth as the main obstacle to business activity".
Other challenges pointed out by entrepreneurs include insufficient profit margins (38%), excessive labor costs (36%), difficulties in attracting customers (31%), increased competition (26%), and high bureaucratic burdens (25%).
Additionally, they mentioned delays in payments (22%), production costs (17%), difficulties in accessing financing (16%), and legal barriers (9%).
Impact of inflation and interest rates
The study reveals that in 2024, 96% of companies felt the impacts of inflation on their operations. Among the main consequences are:
- Reduction of commercial margins: 69% of companies.
- Increase in labor costs: 47%
- Higher supply costs: 46%;
- Decrease in sales: 39%;
- Higher credit risk in clients: 34%;
- Loss of customers: 11%.
Regarding the impact of interest rates:
- 36% of companies stated that they will not have an influence on access to financing.
- 15% expect a high impact;
- 21% foresee moderate impact;
- 28% point to reduced impact.
This landscape highlights the complexity of the business environment and the financial and operational challenges that will characterize the year 2025.
Follow the financial news with Savings in a Minute: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our social networks: