Again more than 25’000 new companies in the first half year

Despite economic and security uncertainties as well as ongoing international Corona measures, incorporations continue to be trendy. Even if not as high as in the record year before. The IFJ study "National Analysis of Swiss Company Incorporations in the first half 2022" shows that 25,447 new companies were registered in the Swiss Commercial Register in the first six months of the current year. This represents a decline of -3.6% compared to the first half of 2021, which went down in history as a record half-year with 26,387 new companies. Despite the decline, the 10-year comparison shows that in the first half of 2022 +13% more companies were created than on average.

The analysis shows that trade in particular is struggling. In addition to the two larger sectors, healthcare and IT & ICT, it is mainly the smaller sectors that are recording positive accents. The number of newly incorporated IT & ICT companies by 5.4% rose to 1’492. Wholesale trade (-17.2%) as well as retail trade (-14.9%) were among the sectors with the highest declines.

Comparison of the last 10 half-years

Since the slight decline from 2014 to 2015 and 2019 to 2020, the commercial register offices have recorded a positive trend. On average, 22,511 new companies were registered per first half-year in the last 10 years. The 1st half of 2022 records the second highest level with 25,447 new companies and is +13% higher than the average of the last 10 half-years.

More background insights

A national study about new companies and their founders in Switzerland by IFJ, Postfinance and LINK Institute which was published recently provide additional insights. A summary of the study was published on the website of Postfinance. The study shows that Swiss people found companies quickly, usually set up limited liability companies and are looking for greater freedom. Two results are particularly the surprising. Firstly, the study results reveal that the widespread fear of failure is unfounded in most cases. Around 70% of start-ups attain or even exceed their revenue goals during the first year of business. Secondly, the study found choosing an insurance policy to be the most time-consuming and laborious part of founding a company.

Since 1989, IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen has assisted more than 175,000 entrepreneurs on their way to independence. As a pioneer and industry leader, IFJ offers Switzerland's most widely used services for incorporations, changes in the commercial register and trademark protection.

(Press release / SK)
Picture: Wendy Julianto, Pixabay