Filings for bankruptcy: significant increase in several Cantons
There was a significant increase in the number of companies filing for bankruptcy across the whole of Switzerland between April and June. The highest percentage increases were recorded by the Cantons of St. Gallen, Solothurn and Basel Stadt. On the other hand, there was a fall in the number of companies filing for bankruptcy in Basel Landschaft, Glarus, Obwalden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
In terms of sector, the highest number of bankruptcies were attributable to the construction industry (444 cases), followed by the food and drink sector (327) and the retail trade (223). In percentage terms, the greatest increases were registered in food and drink (+55%), the IT services sector (+43.8%) and in building management, gardening and landscaping (+40.9%).
Company start-ups: a slow-down in growth
13,828 new businesses were set up in Switzerland during the second quarter – a slight rise of 1.3% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, 9,257 companies were also deleted from the commercial register, which represents an increase of 12.2%.
Most of the new entries were accounted for by the Cantons of Zurich (2,592), Vaud (1,241) and Geneva (1,160). While Zurich reported a solid growth of +5.5%, the number of new businesses established in the Canton of Vaud fell back by 13.4%.
In sector-specific terms, the retail trade led the field for start-ups (with 1,112 new businesses), followed by management consultancies (1,070) and the real estate sector (1,009).
About the survey
This survey took into account all those businesses that were entered into the commercial register for the first time between 1st April 2025 and 30th June 2025, together with those companies that filed for bankruptcy and all those businesses that were deleted from the commercial register during this time. For example, a company might be deleted automatically if it is dissolved; if bankruptcy proceedings are instigated; at the end of the liquidity deadline; if it is subject to mergers; or if a company is closed as a result of a lack of any plans for succession.
Filings for bankruptcy by sector, April to June
| Description |
2025 |
2024 |
+/- |
as a percentage |
|
Specialised construction activities
|
444
|
377
|
67
|
17.8
|
|
Food and beverage service activities
|
327
|
211
|
116
|
55.0
|
|
Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
223
|
191
|
32
|
16.8
|
|
Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
195
|
158
|
37
|
23.4
|
|
Construction of buildings
|
194
|
146
|
48
|
32.9
|
|
Services to buildings and landscape activities
|
131
|
93
|
38
|
40.9
|
|
Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities
|
126
|
107
|
19
|
17.8
|
|
Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
116
|
100
|
16
|
16.0
|
|
Real estate activities
|
107
|
79
|
28
|
35.4
|
|
Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
|
105
|
73
|
32
|
43.8
|
