Corporate bankruptcies rise steeply, by +36.4%

CRIF AG has analysed how many new businesses were set up, how many went bankrupt and how many were completely deleted from the register during the first eleven months of 2025.

More filings for bankruptcy
Compared with last year, there was a significant rise in the number of companies filing for bankruptcy across the whole of Switzerland. The highest percentage increase was recorded by the Canton of Valais, at +107.1%, followed by the Canton of Thurgau, at +92%, while the Cantons of Glarus and Appenzell Ausserrhoden reported reductions in filings for bankruptcy, at -13.3% and -12% respectively.

In sector-specific terms, the highest number of bankruptcies affected the construction industry (1,576 cases), followed by the food and drink sector (1,090) and the retail trade (774). The highest percentage increases were registered in the real estate sector (+47.8%), in the sector covering services to buildings and landscape activities (+45.8 %) and in the provision of financial services (45.1%).
One reason for this sharp rise is a change in the law in Switzerland. Since 1st January 2025, it has been possible for tax liabilities to be pursued as far as bankruptcy if the debtors are listed in the commercial register.

Ongoing boom in company start-ups
48,983 new businesses were set up in Switzerland in the first eleven months of this year. This represents an increase of 4.4% compared with the previous year.

The Canton of Zurich reports the highest number of new start-ups, at 9,140, followed by the Cantons of Vaud (4,675) and Geneva (4,082).

When measured by sector, this flock of newly-established businesses is led by the retail trade (with 3,924 start-ups), followed by the management consultancy sector (3,902) and the real estate sector (3,650).
In some sectors, the number of new start-ups fell sharply compared with the previous year. There was a drop of 19.7% in the sector concerned with the provision of IT services, a 10.4% reduction in the food and drink sector and a 7.3% fall in the retail trade.

About the survey
We have taken into account all those businesses that were first entered into or deleted from the commercial register, or that filed for bankruptcy, between 1st January and 30 November 2025.
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 (NOGA), January to November