Incorporations in Switzerland 1. half year 2025
Mon, 30.06.2025, 12:00
In the first half of 2025, 27'564 new incorporations were recorded in Switzerland. This is a new record for a first half-year and corresponds to a growth of +2.6% compared to the same period of the previous year. This is shown in the current IFJ study "National Analysis of Swiss Business Incorporations – First Half of 2025." The figures confirm that incorporation activity remains at a high level. Particularly striking is the different development in the seven major regions, some of which show significant deviations from the Swiss average.
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The development of new incorporations in the first half of 2025 is positive. With 27,811 company incorporations, a growth of +2.6% was recorded compared to the same period of the previous year. This corresponds to an average of 154 incorporations per day. However, a look at the major regions shows clear differences. In Central Switzerland, the number of new entries rose by +7.3%, while Eastern Switzerland (–2.9%) and Ticino (–4.0%) show declining developments. The remaining regions range between +0.5% and +4.9%. This range illustrates how differently the incorporation dynamics are developing in the various parts of Switzerland.
Five-year regional incorporation development in comparison
A five-year comparison of the development of company start-ups shows clear differences between the major regions. Central Switzerland has seen the strongest growth with an average of +6.3% per year. This is followed by South-Eastern Switzerland with 5.9%, Zurich with +5.2% and Eastern Switzerland with 4.6%. The Espace Mittelland is at +4.5%. The weakest development was in Northwestern Switzerland with +3.9%. The figures show that start-up activity has developed differently in the regions, with some marked differences in terms of dynamism and stability. At the same time, the entrepreneurial spirit can be felt throughout Switzerland. This strengthens entrepreneurial diversity and generates new ideas across language barriers and cantonal borders.
Most of the cantons show positiv results
In a comparison of the major regions, Central Switzerland (+7.3%), Southwestern Switzerland (+4.9%), Zurich (+4.6%), Northwestern Switzerland (+0.9%), and Espace Mittelland (+0.5%) show impressive growth. In contrast, Eastern Switzerland (-2.9%) and Ticino (-4.0%) performed worse than in the same period of the previous year.
Cantons with a high incorporation rate
In 14 cantons, the number of new incorporations in the first semester of 2025 increased compared to the same period last year. These are the cantons currently showing growth in Swiss company formations: Obwalden (+20.6%), Schaffhausen (+18.9%), Geneva (+14.4%), Appenzell Innerrhoden (+11.4%), Zug (+10.7%), Valais (+8.0%), Schwyz (+7.1%), Solothurn (+5.4%), Basel-Landschaft (+5.1%), Basel-Stadt (+4.7%), Zurich (+4.6%), Lucerne (+4.4%), Thurgau (+4.0%) and Fribourg (+3.5%).
Cantons with a decrease of incorporations
The cantons experiencing slight to significant percentage decreases are Neuchâtel (-0.2%), Nidwalden (-0.6%), Bern (-1.7%), Jura (-2.1%), Aargau (-2.3%), Vaud (-3.2%), Ticino (-4.0%), St. Gallen (-5.1%), and Glarus (-6.0%). More significant declines were recorded in Graubünden (-10.5%), Uri (-14.1%) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-14.2%).
For cantons with a low absolute number of new incorporations, percentage changes should be interpreted with caution.
Comparison of the last 10 Half-Years
The first half of 2025 shows another increase and sets a positive trend for the current year. On average, 24'442 new companies were registered in the first half of the year over the past 10 years. With 27'811 new formations, the first half of 2025 reaches the highest level and is significantly higher than the average of the past ten first half-years, with a plus of +13.8%.
New Establishments by Sectors
The top three industries in the first half of this year are craftmanship (3'092 formations), consulting (2'901 formations), and real estate (2'597 formations). They are followed by B2B & B2C services (2'129 formations) and retail (2'036 formations).
Interestingly, Switzerland’s startup landscape remains highly diverse. The consulting sector, despite 2'901 new entries, accounts for only 10.4% of all new formations. This highlights the diversity within the incorporation landscape and is a positive sign for a still well-functioning economy.
Incorporations reach a new record high with regional differences
Incorporation figures in the first half of 2025 have reached a new record, with 27'811 new entries. This confirms: Switzerland remains a strong location for entrepreneurial initiatives. At the same time, regional differences reveal a more complex picture. While some major regions are growing above average, others are falling behind the national trend. This highlights the importance of not only thinking about startup support on a national level, but also tailoring it to regional strengths and challenges.
The reasons for these differences are diverse. Simon May, Co-Managing Director of IFJ, says: “Whether more or fewer companies are founded in a region depends on many factors. These include, for example, the local economy, the industry structure or access to networks and resources. Ultimately, there are also temporal fluctuations, that can not be structurally influenced. It is also crucial how strongly a region is shaped by entrepreneurship and whether targeted support and guidance for founders are available.”
The IFJ supports this process with digital tools, hands-on services and a strong network across Switzerland. This includes events like the Tag des Gründens (Founders Day) in numerous cantons as well as regional incorporation courses in many cities.
A look ahead shows: If the current incorporation frequency continues, 2025 could become the strongest year for new incorporations ever. The current figures show impressive momentum, and it will be exciting to see how the second half of the year develops.
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