Switzerland sees record company startups amid rising bankruptcies

Switzerland recorded a record 41,716 new company registrations in the commercial register between January and September 2026, according to a study by the Institut für Jungunternehmen (IFJ). This represents a 2.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Regional data shows Central Switzerland saw 6,201 new startups, a 2.4 percent rise. The canton of Zug led with 2,639 new entries, while Uri experienced the highest regional growth at 7.8 percent. Conversely, Nidwalden and Obwalden saw declines in new registrations.

Despite the rise in startups, business insolvencies have surged. Data from the economic information service CRIF indicates that 11,412 bankruptcies were opened during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 36.5 percent increase over the previous year.