15 Centuries-Old Companies From Around The World That Are Still In Operation

There are two things we learned while compiling this list. Lesson one; If you want a long-lasting business, get into hospitality, candy, or booze. And Lesson two; Japanese companies can really go the distance. Excluding governments, educational, and religious institutions, there are currently 5,500 companies on Earth that are over 200 years old. 3,146 of those are Japanese. Not to ruin the ending, but the top 5 oldest still-operational companies right now are located in Japan. That’s pretty impressive.

In recently learning this, there’s something funny about clothing companies sporting Est. 1981 on their shirts (lookin’ at you, Guess Jeans). Not to take away from a newer company’s lasting impact — all the best to ‘em — but like, 42 years? Talk to us in 1,445 years. Man, being a know-it-all about something you learned moments ago is fun! Anyway, that’s the kind of numbers we’re working with, so here are 15 of some of the oldest still-operational companies on planet Earth.