The number of businesses bankruptcies rose by almost 26% over the first eight months

CRIF AG has analysed the number of new business start-ups, bankruptcies and deletions from the commercial register that took place in the first eight months of 2025.

An increase in filings for bankruptcy
The level of bankruptcies rose significantly across the whole of Switzerland between January and August – and a particularly sharp upturn compared with the previous year became apparent from May onwards.

If we view the results by sector, the majority of the bankruptcies affected the construction industry (1,044), followed by the food and beverage sector (726) and the retail trade (501). The highest percentage increases were registered in the sectors involving services to buildings and landscape activities (+38.8%), food and beverage (+34.2%) and IT services (+33.7%).

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 growth in company start-ups
35,969 new businesses were set up in the first eight months of this year, which represents an increase of 4.5% compared with the previous year.

In sector-specific terms, the start-up race was led by the retail trade (2,892 companies), the management consultancy industry (2,870) and the real estate sector (2,586).
In some sectors, the number of new start-ups dropped back substantially compared with the previous year, e.g. the figures for the sector involving services to buildings and landscaping fell by 25.8%, the food and beverage sector by 10.4% and the retail trade by 9.2%.

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 31st August 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, January to August