Record number of companies founded in Switzerland

The analysis of the IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen shows that due to the prescribed corona measures in March (-5.4%), April (-25.1%) and May (-13.4%) significantly fewer companies were founded than in the previous year. In these three months of the shutdown, an average of -14.6% fewer companies were founded than in the same period last year. However, this decline was made up for or more than compensated for in the following months, when the number of start-ups was strong. In June there was an increase of +24.8%, in July +11.1%, in August +17.9% and in September +18.3%. Confidence among founders in Switzerland continues and a continuous increase can be expected in 2020.

On the sectoral side, compared to the previous year, several B2B-sectors showed strong growth, for example Consulting +13.1% or Architecture and Engineering +10%. The largest percentage decreases were recorded in Other private and business services (travel agencies, professional activities, etc.) -24.5%. The number of new ICT and IT start-ups were slightly lower than 2019 (- 1.7%).

The major regions Northwestern Switzerland +9.3%, Central Switzerland +5.7%, Eastern Switzerland +5.0%, Escape Mittelland +3.8% and Zurich +3.6% are enjoying a recovery in company start-ups in the first three quarters of 2020 and are even setting positive trends compared to the record year 2019.

Clear decline in Ticino
Just as Ticino was hit hardest by the corona pandemic, the year-on-year decline in the number of start-ups in Ticino of -12.6% is also relevant when comparing the major regions. Among the Cantons with percentage losses are Geneva -2.2%, Vaud -6.3% which had also a relatively high number of Corona cases. Despite the current adverse economic conditions, 22 of the 26 Swiss cantons can look back on a year-on-year increase in the number of new companies founded in the first nine months. The major regions Northwestern Switzerland +9.3%, Central Switzerland +5.7%, Eastern Switzerland +5.0%, Escape Mittelland +3.8% and Zurich +3.6% are enjoying a recovery in company start-ups in the first three quarters of 2020 and are even setting positive trends compared to the record year 2019.