The number of start-ups is rising more rapidly in eastern Germany than in western Germany
In the first half of this year, more main branch businesses were established in Germany (46,000) than were closed (34,000). These include startups with a commercial register or craft roll entry, or with one or more employees. Overall, 132,000 new business ventures were registered, while around 127,000 companies were closed. This is a similar level of business start-ups and closures to before the COVID-19 pandemic. This does not apply to micro-business start-ups and sideline business start-ups. More startups and closures were recorded in the first half of 2024 in these areas compared to the first six months of 2019.
The researchers at IfM Bonn regularly compile statistics on business startups and closures in Germany, based on the trade and deregistration data from the Federal Statistical Office. Non-startup and non-closure related reporting events, such as changes in legal form, are excluded from the data by the IfM Bonn researchers. Due to an error in 2023 where sideline business startups were mistakenly recorded as microbusiness startups, the IfM researchers are unable to make a valid comparison to the first half of 2023.
Number of business startups in eastern Germany is increasing
Most main branch business startups took place in North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. An increase in the number of business startups compared to the first six months of 2023 was observed in Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Brandenburg.
Approximately 7,600 business startups occurred in the trade sector, 5,700 in the construction industry, and 4,800 in the hospitality sector. In contrast, only 1,600 busi-nesses were established in the manufacturing sector. The researchers at IfM Bonn anticipate that the current trend in commercial startups and closures of main branch businesses will continue until the end of the year.
