Turkey business trends show rising formations amid small business closures

Data from the first eight months of 2026 reveals a diverging trend in Turkey's business landscape. In Isparta, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that 289 new companies were established between January 1 and August 17, while 100 companies ceased operations.

Nationwide, trends show an increase in formal company formations alongside rising pressure on small-scale enterprises. According to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), company formations rose by 7.4% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year, while total company closures decreased by 2.5%. However, sole proprietorships (real person commercial enterprises) faced different conditions; while their formation increased by 4.1%, closures in this category rose by 9.1%.

Istanbul remains the primary driver of commercial growth, accounting for 37.4% of all new companies formed in July 2026. In that month, approximately one in every three new companies in Turkey was established in Istanbul, followed by Ankara and Izmir. The wholesale and retail trade sector led in both new company and cooperative formations, as well as in closures.