Incorporations in Switzerland 1. half year 2023

Sat, 01.07.2023, 14:00

The startup figures for the first half of the year confirm this: More and more people are taking the plunge into self-employment. This is shown by the IFJ study "National Analysis of Swiss Company Incorporations 1. Half Year 2023". In the first half of 2023, 26'546 new startups were already recorded. This is a growth of 4.3% compared to the same period in 2022 and an increase of 0.6% compared to the record half year of 2021. But how is the increase in startups relevant for Switzerland? New companies not only bring innovation to the Swiss economy, but also create a significant number of new jobs.

In the course of the first half of 2023, 147 new startups were registered every day. This is a total of 26'546 companies. It confirms that young entrepreneurs continue to view Switzerland as an attractive business location, which is enormously important for the Swiss economy. According to the FSO, 57'067 new jobs were created in 2019 due to new companies. With the increase in startups, this number will continue to rise. New companies are also innovating. According to the latest data from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2022, Switzerland is ranked first.

(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)

All regions report growth

In the first half of 2023, Northwestern Switzerland (+9.1%), Ticino (+6.7%), Espace Mittelland (+6.6%) and Eastern Switzerland (+6.2%) are the major regions with the strongest growth. Zurich also recorded significant growth of +4.4% compared to the same period last year. Only slight growth was recorded in Central Switzerland (+1.4%) and Southwestern Switzerland (+0.5%).

Cantons with a foundation peak

In 20 cantons, the number of start-ups increased in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. These are currently the cantons with the highest growth in the number of new Swiss companies: Graubünden (+24.2%), Nidwalden (+22.7%), Uri (+16.7%), Neuchâtel (+15.3%), Aargau (+10.5%), Basel-Stadt (+9.1%), Schaffhausen (+7.9%), Lucerne (+7.9%), Fribourg (+6. 9%), Ticino (+6.7%), Bern (+6.6%), Basel-Landschaft (+6.1%), St. Gallen (+4.9%), Glarus (+4.87%), Zurich (+4.4%), Jura (+3.7%), Geneva (+2.0%), Solothurn (+1.5%) and Thurgau (+1.1%).

Fewer companies are currently being founded in these cantons

The cantons with only slight percentage decreases are Vaud (-0.3%), Valais (-0.5%), Schwyz (-1.1%), Zug (-3.7%) and Appenzell Innerrhoden (-4.7%). The strongest percentage declines in company formations were registered in the commercial registry offices of the cantons of Obwalden (-10.6%) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-13.3%).

Legal forms in comparison

In Switzerland, the limited liability company (GmbH) is by far the most popular legal form when it comes to establishing a new company. A total of 10,390 (+2.3%) new limited liability companies were registered in the first half of 2023. The increase in newly formed general partnerships is surprisingly high, with 851 new registrations, a growth of 24.2% compared to the first half of 2022. A decline of -5.9% can be seen in the number of public limited companies.

(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01/01/2023 to 30/06/2023 compared to the same period of the previous year)

Comparison of the last 10 half years

After a decline from the record half-year 2021 to 2022, the first half 2023 shows an increase again and sets a positive trend for the current year. On average, 23,142 new companies were registered per first half of the year over the past 10 years. The first half of 2023 records the highest level with 26,546 new companies and is significantly higher (+14.7%) than the average of the last 10 first half years.

Incorporations by sectors

Switzerland offers top conditions for startups worldwide

Switzerland confirms its attractiveness as a business location and startup center. Despite global challenges and economic uncertainties, Switzerland recorded a positive development in terms of the number of new company startups in the first half of 2023.

The advantages of Switzerland as a business location are manifold. The country offers a high level of legal security, political stability and an efficient infrastructure. In addition, Switzerland has excellent education and research as well as a well-connected international community of investors and entrepreneurs.

Collaboration between government and business stakeholders is important to support entrepreneurship and foster the growth of the startup scene in the long term. After all, startups play an important role in creating new jobs and contribute to economic diversity and resilience.

By promoting startups and innovation initiatives, Switzerland will continue to be a driving force for economic growth and technological progress in the future.

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