Corporate Insolvencies in Switzerland Rise by 50 Percent - Market Consolidation Gains Significant Momentum

The significant rise in insolvencies is only partly due to economic conditions. A central role is played by the amendment of the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (SchKG), which came into force on January 1, 2025. Public creditors such as tax authorities, social security institutions, and customs offices have since been obliged to consistently enforce outstanding claims through bankruptcy proceedings. This has put them on an equal footing with private creditors, with noticeable effects on the number of initiated proceedings.

Insolvency Surge Affects All Regions

The current figures show that the strong rise in corporate insolvencies affects all regions of Switzerland, albeit with varying degrees of intensity. The number of insolvencies increased most significantly in Central Switzerland (+61 percent), followed by the Espace Mittelland (+56 percent) and Ticino (+52 percent). The insolvency figures also rose sharply in Eastern Switzerland (+50 percent) and Southwestern Switzerland (+48 percent). In Northwestern Switzerland (+46 percent) and Zurich (+41 percent), the increase also remained at a very high level.

IT Sector and Business Services Particularly Affected

Across industries, a broad increase in insolvency figures is evident. The IT sector is most affected, with insolvencies rising by 73 percent. There was also a significant increase in bankruptcies among business service providers (+71 percent) and holding and investment companies (+70 percent). The rise was comparatively lower in the wood and furniture industry (+23 percent), in craftsmanship (+33 percent), and in the hospitality industry (+45 percent).

New Business Registrations Remain High

Alongside the strong rise in corporate insolvencies, start-up activity in Switzerland remains stable overall. In almost all regions, the number of new entries in the commercial register increased. Central Switzerland recorded an increase of 12 percent, followed by Northwestern Switzerland (+8 percent) and Zurich (+6 percent). The number of new registrations also rose in Southwestern Switzerland (+4 percent), the Espace Mittelland (+3 percent), and Eastern Switzerland (+1 percent). Only in Ticino was there a slight decline of 1 percent.

At the industry level, real estate agents and administrations (+23 percent), IT service providers (+18 percent), and holding and investment companies (+17 percent) showed significant increases. Conversely, there were decreases in retail (-9 percent), the hospitality industry (-4 percent), and personal services (-3 percent).

Short-term Burden, Long-term Structural Readjustment

"The strong rise in corporate insolvencies reflects an accelerated market consolidation and demonstrates how consistently the new legal requirements are being implemented," says Marianne Bregenzer, Country Lead Switzerland at Dun & Bradstreet. "In the short term, this increases pressure on companies and authorities. In the long term, however, the reform contributes to greater transparency, better payment practices, and fairer competitive conditions. During this transitional phase, it is more crucial for companies to continuously monitor the economic stability of customers and business partners."

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The full study "Insolvencies & New Registrations" is available here.

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