Another significant rise in business bankruptcies

CRIF AG has analysed how many new businesses were set up from January to May 2026, how many companies filed for bankruptcy and how many businesses were completely deleted from the register in the same period.

Corporate bankruptcies increased significantly across the whole of Switzerland
6,075 companies filed for bankruptcy in Switzerland between January and May 2026. This represents an escalation of 58.4% compared with the same period of the previous year. The highest percentage rise was recorded by the Canton of Thurgau, at +234.8%, followed by the Canton of Jura at +154.2%, and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft at +142.2%. The only cantons to record a fall in the bankruptcy figures were Schwyz (-19.5%) and Solothurn (-6.8%).

Most bankruptcies affected the construction industry (736 cases), the food and drink sector (565) and the retail trade (480). There was a particularly noticeable rise in the number of filings for bankruptcy affecting the real estate sector (+99.2%) and the provision of financial services (+98.5%).

One key reason for this increase is a change in the law in Switzerland. Since 1^st January 2025, it has been possible for the tax debts of any debtors registered in the commercial register to be pursued through bankruptcy proceedings.

The growth in company start-ups loses momentum
22,631 new businesses were set up in Switzerland during the first five months of 2026. This represents an increase of 0.3% compared with the previous year. The first quarter of 2026 was still showing a growth of 4.7%.

The Canton of Zurich recorded the highest number, at 4,093 new start-ups, followed by the Cantons of Vaud (2,113) and Geneva (1,805). Nevertheless, the number of new start-ups actually declined in all three of these Cantons: by 7.2% in Vaud, by 3.3% in Geneva and by 1.3% in Zurich.

The highest number of new start-ups involved the management consultancy sector (1,994), the real estate sector (1,641) and the retail trade (1,624).

Some sectors reported a significant fall in the number of new start-ups compared with the previous year. The decline was particularly marked in the food and drink sector, at -23.3%, and in the retail trade at -12.4%.

Filings for bankruptcy by sector, January to May

New start-ups by canton, January to May