Incorporations in Switzerland 2022
Tue, 27.12.2022, 08:00
The year 2022 was marked by geopolitical and economic uncertainties, which have an impact on Switzerland. Nevertheless, the mood for company formation in Swiss society continues to be high. 49,398 new companies were entered in the commercial register as of today. This corresponds to a slight decrease of -1.4% compared to the previous year. The 10-year comparison is also significantly higher than the average of the last 10 years at +12.6%. One or more women are involved in 46% of all start-ups. This value is higher than often assumed.
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The year 2022 was marked by geopolitical and economic uncertainties, which have an impact on Switzerland. Nevertheless, the mood for starting new startups in Swiss society continues to be high. The IFJ study "National Analysis of Incorporations in Switzerland 2022" shows that around 50'000 new companies will be entered in the Swiss Commercial Register in 2022. The comparison of the current year shows that only a slight decrease of -1.4% was recorded compared to the previous year 2021. The 10-year comparison also confirms that founding a company in Switzerland continues to be a trend.
One or more women are involved in 46% of all company incorporations. It is more than
often assumed. Which cantons and industries are growing? All this is shown in the National Analysis of the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen.
(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG
Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the same period of the previous year).
Differences in the major regions - Zurich as startup engine
Zurich is the only major region which recorded an increase of +1.9% compared to the last year. Southwestern Switzerland (-0.3%), Ticino (-0.3%) and Eastern Switzerland (-1.5%) are at a high level as in the previous year. Far fewer new companies were founded In Central Switzerland (-4.5%), Espace Mittelland (-3.3%) and Northwestern Switzerland (-1.9%).
(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the same period of the previous year).
How many companies are founded by women?
Founding a company is not just a man's business. 36.6% of all new companies are founded by women. In 9.5% of all new startups, there is a founding team of women and men behind it. Thus,one or more women are involved in 46% of all new registrations. More than half (53.9%) of all new companies are founded by men.
(Source: BFS, Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)
(Source: BFS, Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG)
Legal forms in comparison
In Switzerland, the limited liability company (LLC) is by far the most popular legal form when it comes to establishing a new company. A total of 19,598 (+1.5%) new LLCs were registered in 2022. The sole proprietorship, as the second most frequently chosen legal form, also recorded an increase of +0.2% compared to the previous year.
(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the same period of the previous year).
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Comparison of the last 10 years
Since the slight decline in 2015, the commercial registry offices have recorded a constant increase in
the number of new companies up to the current year. On average, 43'838 new companies were registered per year over the last 10 years. As of 27.12.2022, the year 2022 recorded the second highest level with 49'398 new companies and is significantly higher (+12.6%) than the average of the last 10 years.
(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the previous year's periods).
Startups by industry
The top growth sectors in 2022 include marketing & communications (+15.9%), transport & logistics (+15.1%) and healthcare (+11.5%). The highest percentage declines are in Wholesale Trade (-13.3%), Agriculture & Forestry (-12.4%) and Retail Trade (-8.7%).
The transport & logistics and marketing & communication sectors recorded the strongest declines in 2021/2020, which have now been compensated for in 2022. Numerically, the highest number of new companies are in the trade, real estate, consulting and retail trade.
(Source: Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC, Dun & Bradstreet Schweiz AG; Analysis: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the same period of the previous year).
Which canton has the most entrepreneurial spirit?
On average, 5.74 companies were founded per 1'000 residents in Switzerland in 2022. It is noticeable that 8 of the 11 cantons above the Swiss average offer attractive profit tax rates. Zug (23.12) leads the way by a remarkable margin, ahead of Schwyz (8.36) and Geneva (8.03). The Swiss cantons Uri (3.27), Bern (3.85) and Basel-Landschaft (4.31) have the fewest founders per 1'000 residents.
(Source: BFS, Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC; analysis and graph: IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen AG Period: 01.01.2022 to 27.12.2022 compared to the same period of the previous year).
Based on current indicators, the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen expects a slight decline to a stable and high level in the number of startups for 2023 in Switzerland. If uncertainties such as the energy crisis, the Ukraine war or global supply chain problems can be resolved at an early stage, it would also support the startup scene.
Switzerland stands out for its sustainably successful entrepreneurship
2022 was marked by geopolitical conflicts with war in Europe and the resulting energy crisis,
excessive inflation and rising fears of recession. In contrast, the Swiss economy is doing very well compared to other countries in the world: private consumption as well as the labor market are stable, the unemployment rate is at a record low and inflation is at a moderate level.
According to current economic forecasts, Switzerland's economy is expected to grow at a belowaverage
rate. Nevertheless, the chances are good that the economic upswing in Switzerland will be better than in other European countries. In addition, Switzerland continues to be the most
innovative country in Europe.
In fact, this clearly shows that new companies are an essential part of a well-functioning Swiss economy: Every year, startups create around 56,000 new jobs. 13.3% of all employed persons are self-employed. That is around 623,000 entrepreneurs. This puts Switzerland in a leading position in Europe.
Based on current indicators, the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen expects a slight decline to a stable and high level in the number of startups for 2023 in Switzerland. If uncertainties such as the energy crisis, the Ukraine war or global supply chain problems can be resolved at an early stage, it would also support the startup scene.
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