Nouvelle-Aquitaine Sees Dynamic Business Growth Despite Economic Uncertainties

In 2025, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region experienced a mixed but generally positive economic climate amid evolving business dynamics. According to local reports, 63% of business leaders expressed confidence in their companies’ futures, a decline from 83% in July 2021, reflecting more cautious optimism. The Vals de Saintonge area particularly stood out with notable activity: 3,016 new businesses were established—a 4.9% increase from 2024—employing 5,519 people, which is up 2.5%. Business creation surged by 30% to 372 new enterprises, although closures also rose by 19% to 242. Impressively, the region maintains a three-year survival rate for businesses at 71%, surpassing the Charente-Maritime average of 67%. Despite this growth, 29 local companies faced significant difficulties, including safeguard procedures, judicial recovery, and liquidation cases. The local economy remains largely service-oriented, with just seven businesses employing more than 100 people, including prominent firms like Centre Leclerc and Eiffage in Saint-Jean-d’Angély. Agricultural companies like the Terre Atlantique cooperative also contribute substantially to employment but are not counted in official business registers. These numbers reflect both opportunity and resilience in Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s evolving business landscape.