Amsterdam's stock exchange is thought to be the world's oldest, dating back to 1602. Three centuries later, in 1900, European countries accounted for 67% of global market capitalisation.
Today, the United States is firmly positioned as the world’s largest stock market. America’s share of global market cap has grown by 46% and it is home to six of the world’s seven trillion-dollar companies.
Asian countries like Japan, China, and India have also emerged as major equity markets. By 2075, India and China are expected to have the world’s two biggest economies, so the size of their stock markets could grow significantly.
Iconic exchanges serve as vital hubs of trade and investment. From the tech-heavy Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange (the world’s most valuable stock exchange by market capitalisation), and London Stock Exchange (the world's third biggest), each serves an essential function in the global finance ecosystem.
As of 2023, there are around 80 major stock exchanges in the world, in every major continent. They serve as listing platforms for 55,000+ companies, according to the World Federation of Stock Exchanges. Amsterdam certainly started a trend!
