New foundation record: 51,637 new companies
The 2023 start-up figures confirm this: Never before have so many companies been founded across Switzerland as this year. This is shown by the IFJ study "National Analysis of Swiss Company Formations 2023". A total of 51,637 new start-ups were registered. This represents growth of 3.2% compared to the previous year 2022 and an increase of 2.2% compared to the record year 2021.
Never before have so many people in Switzerland ventured into self-employment. In 2023, 51,637 new start-ups were recorded. That is an average of around 141 newly registered companies per day. This new start-up record confirms that young entrepreneurs continue to see Switzerland as an attractive business location, which is hugely important for the Swiss economy. This development comes as no surprise to Simon May, Co-Managing Director of the IFJ: "More and more people are longing for more freedom in their careers and are ready to fulfill their dream of owning their own company". It is also noticeable that founders are becoming part-time self-employed and thus building up their own company over time alongside their employment.
The development of company start-ups not only has an impact on the labor market, but also ensures innovation across the country. According to the latest figures from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023, Switzerland remains in first place in Europe.
Positive start-up mood prevails in the major regions
In 2023, Northwestern Switzerland (+7.0%) and Eastern Switzerland (+5.2%) are the major regions with the strongest growth in new start-ups. Espace Mittelland (+4.1%) and Zurich (+4.6%) also recorded significant growth compared to the same period last year. Only slight growth was recorded in the regions of Central Switzerland (+1.0%) and Southwestern Switzerland (+0.9%). And the Ticino region was the only one to register a decrease of -1.2%.
Cantons with a high start-up
In 19 cantons, the number of new start-ups increased in 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. These are currently the cantons with a growth in Swiss company start-ups: Graubünden (+13.8%), Uri (+12.3%), Neuchâtel (+9.7%), Aargau (+8.6%), Basel-Landschaft (+8.4%), Lucerne (+5.9%), Glarus (4.8%), Bern (+4.7%), Thurgau (+4.6%), Zurich (+4.6%), St. Gallen (+4.5%), Vaud (+3.5%), Schwyz (+3.0%), Nidwalden (+2.7%), Solothurn (2.5%), Jura (+2.2%), Basel-Stadt (+1.8%), Fribourg (+1.7%) and Schaffhausen (+1.0%).
Fewer start-ups are currently being founded in these cantons
The cantons with a slight percentage drop are Valais (-0.4%), Ticino (-1.2%), Geneva (-1.4%), Zug (-2.8%) and the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden (-3.3%). The largest percentage decreases in company formations were recorded in the commercial register offices of the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden (-11.8%) and Obwalden (-16.1%).
Legal forms in comparison
In Switzerland, the limited liability company (GmbH) is by far the most popular legal form when it comes to founding a new company. A total of 20,419 (+2.7%) new limited liability companies were registered in 2023. The increase in newly founded general partnerships is surprisingly high, with 1,540 new entries, an increase of 17.3% compared to the same period in 2022. A decrease of -5.3% was recorded for public limited companies.
Comparison of the last 10 years
With the new foundation record, the year 2023 shows a very positive trend. On average over the last 10 years, 45,409 new companies were entered in the Swiss commercial register each year. With 51,637 new start-ups, 2023 recorded the highest level and is well above the average of previous years at +13.7%.
The most start-ups are in these sectors
The top sectors in the current year include crafts (7,348 start-ups), consulting (5,176 start-ups), real estate (4,938 start-ups), retail trade (4,807 start-ups) and finance & insurance (3,443 start-ups). Compared to 2022, there was particularly strong growth in retail trade (+11.7%), consulting (+10.3%) and B2B & B2C services (+8.5%).
Swiss founders set a new start-up record
The current trend in the number of start-ups shows that Switzerland provides a good economic basis for young companies and start-ups. Despite economic uncertainties and challenges such as the energy crisis, the Swiss economy is developing positively and has set a new national start-up record. Developments in the last quarter of the year also bode well for a promising 2024. Compared to the previous year, the number of start-ups increased by 2.8% in Q4 and by 3.4% compared to the record year 2021.
The rising number of start-ups is also an indicator of trust and confidence in the Swiss economy and its future potential. Young entrepreneurs in Switzerland benefit from various funding programs and targeted measures to support entrepreneurship.
The outlook for start-up activity is also positive for next year. Switzerland is still considered the most innovative country in the world (see Global Innovation Index 2023). This is also shown by the results of the European Scoreboard 2023. Start-ups make an important contribution to the creation of new jobs and continue to be fundamental to the Swiss economy.
Source: www.ifj.ch
