In 2023, based on data from Demographia, none of the 94 major cities across eight countries, including Australia, Canada, China (Hong Kong), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S., were deemed "affordable" in terms of housing. Hong Kong tops the list with a housing median multiple of 18.8, indicating extreme unaffordability, followed by cities like Sydney, Vancouver, and Honolulu. Conversely, the most affordable cities, all located in North America, include Pittsburgh, Rochester, and Cleveland. The high housing costs in major cities may drive potential residents to consider more affordable alternatives for financial viability.

In the year leading up to March 2023, the UK saw a 1.5% decline in VAT- and PAYE-registered businesses, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While the total number decreased from 2,767,700 to 2,726,830, the breakdown reveals a 0.9% drop in registered companies, 3.4% in sole proprietorships, and 4.5% in partnerships. In contrast, non-profit organizations, mutual associations, and public sector entities experienced a 0.8% increase. Although not included in the chart, approximately 2.8 million unregistered businesses exist, primarily comprising self-employed individuals or those below the VAT threshold. The decrease in business numbers is attributed to pandemic support which delayed typical business closures and challenges such as the energy crisis and rising living costs potentially threatening further businesses in 2023/24.