New business formations in Switzerland 2025
Wed, 31.12.2025, 10:00
The current national annual analysis by the IFJ Institute for Young Enterprises shows that in 2025, the number of business formations in Switzerland once again reaches a record level and underlines the consistently high dynamism of the entrepreneurial landscape.
.jpg)
More Companies and More Dynamism
2025 marks a new peak in company formations. Switzerland is recording more new businesses than ever before. Compared to ten years ago, 34.7% more companies have been founded in the current year. An immense development. According to the up-to-date annual study by the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen, “National Analysis of Swiss Company Formations 2025”, 55'654 new companies were registered. This again surpasses the record level of 2024 by +5.1%. More new companies also increase the overall dynamism in terms of business closures.
Simon May, Co-CEO of IFJ, explains: “The high number of new businesses shows the unbroken motivation of many people to live their dreams and turn their ideas into reality. At the same time, it is part of the natural cycle of a healthy economy that some companies disappear again. What matters is that new ideas and opportunities continue to emerge.” The reasons for dissolutions are diverse – ranging from changing market conditions and rising costs to succession issues.
To obtain a comprehensive picture of business dynamics, we have prepared the key annual figures for 2025 together with Creditreform based on the most up-to-date data. In recent years, the number of bankruptcies has also increased. The following chart shows the development of company bankruptcies in a multi-year comparison.
In the past year, company bankruptcies in Switzerland reached a level not previously recorded. In total, 14'958 bankruptcies were registered, of which 11'915 resulted from insolvency proceedings and 3'043 from organisational deficiencies. The decisive factor behind this marked increase is a legislative change that came into force on 1 January 2025. Since then, public authorities as well as entities governed by public law are also required to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against companies and are therefore placed on an equal footing with private creditors. This new regulation has led to formal bankruptcy proceedings being opened for a significantly higher number of companies, explains Claude Federer, Head of the Swiss Creditors’ Association Creditreform..
Positive start-up sentiment prevails in the mail regions
In 2025, Central Switzerland (+13.3%) is the major region with the strongest growth in new incorporations. Zurich (+5.7%) and Northwestern Switzerland (+5.6%) also recorded strong growth compared to the previous year. Moderate growth was observed in Southwest Switzerland (+4.3%), Espace Mittelland (+3.0%) and Eastern Switzerland (+1.0%). Ticino (-2.5%) was the only region to record a decline.
.png)
Cantons with a high number of incorperations
In 20 cantons, the number of newly born enterprises increased in 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. These are currently the cantons with the highest growth in Swiss enterprise incorporations: Zug (+19.0%), Appenzell Innerrhoden (+17.1%), Obwalden (+16.9%), Schaffhausen (+15.7%), Schwyz (+12.2%), Basel-Landschaft (+10.7%), Thurgau (+10.6%), Nidwalden (+10.2%), Basel-Stadt (+8.8%), Geneva (+8.6%), Lucerne (+8.2%), Zurich (+5.7%), Solothurn (+5.1%), Valais (+4.8%), Jura (+4.3%), Fribourg (+4.1%), Aargau (+2.4%), Neuchâtel (+2.1%), Bern (+2.0%) and Vaud (+0.7%).
Fewer companies are currently being created in these cantons
The cantons with a slight percentage decrease were Graubünden (-0.8%), Ticino (-2.5%), St. Gallen (-3.9%), Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-7.5%), Glarus (-8.5%) and Uri (-13.5%).
Comparison of legal forms
In Switzerland, public limited companies (Ltd.) are the fastest-growing legal form in 2025, with growth of +9.7% compared to the same period last year. The limited liability company (LLC) grew by +8.3% and remains the most popular legal form for startups.
A decline was recorded for the equally relevant legal form of sole proprietorships (-0.6%) and general partnerships (-9.7%).
Comparing the last 10 years
The new record for company incorporations in 2025 shows a very positive trend. On average over the last 10 years, 48'019 new companies were registered in the Swiss Commercial Register each year. With 55'654 new companies, 2025 records the highest level and, at +15.9%, is well above the average of previous years.
Most startups in these sectors
The top three sectors this year are consultancy (5'829 startups), craft (5'733 startups) and real estate (5'235 startups). They are followed by B2B & B2C services (4'353 startups) and architecture & engineering (4'284 startups).
However, it is interesting to note that the Swiss start-up landscape is very diverse across the 21 sectors categorised in our study. The most successful sector, consulting, with 5'829 new registrations, accounts for 10.5% of the total number of startups, illustrating the diversity of the start-up landscape.
Movement Shapes the Swiss Business Landscape
Switzerland will remain a country with high start-up activity in 2025. After several record years, the dynamic development continues: where many new companies are founded, more existing ones disappear from the market. This movement reflects a vibrant economy that adapts to change and seizes new opportunities. High numbers of incorporations and bankruptcies are therefore not contradictory, but illustrate the continuous – and essential – renewal capacity of Swiss entrepreneurship.
Reliable framework conditions are crucial for sustainable business development. Switzerland continues to offer founders a stable political environment, strong infrastructure and easily accessible support services. Nevertheless, many companies face challenges after a few years – due to rising costs, succession issues or market changes. The trend toward part-time entrepreneurship also contributes to companies being abandoned sooner or integrated into new structures.
The current development shows that dynamism is not a sign of instability, but of adaptability. An economy that renews itself remains resilient in the long term. The IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen supports this transformation with practical courses, digital tools and services, and coaching programs, ensuring that founders receive guidance in all phases of their entrepreneurial journey – from incorporation to succession. The 2025 figures underline that the high level of mobility in the Swiss economy remains a key factor in securing competitiveness, innovation and employment in a sustainable way.
Additional Links
aboutStart your own company. Simply and online.
PREMIUM PARTNERS
Attractive premium discounts
Helvetia supports start-ups with a premium discount up to 50% on individual insurance solutions.
More
PostFinance start-up package
PostFinance gives you the tools to get started – Benefit from two years of free account management and discover additional offers that make your business life easier.
More
Free months for new start-ups
Swisscom will cover your subscription costs for up to 6 months plus CHF 300.- credited to your Swisscom bill.
More