Only in the health and social services sector and in financial/insurance services did the IfM researchers record significant increases in the first half of 2021 compared to the first half of 2019. The study is based on the business registration statistics of the Federal Statistical Office.
A total of around 123,000 new businesses were registered in the first half of 2021. This represents an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
"The 15 percent increase in the number of head office establishments compared to spring 2020 is particularly significant from an economic perspective, as these businesses usually create additional jobs. Their share of all new business start-ups has risen to 40 percent. The share of small business start-ups, on the other hand, has fallen below 50 percent for the first time in many years,"
says Rosemarie Kay, Deputy Managing Director of IfM BonnThe number of part-time businesses started rose by 25 percent to 176,000.
IfM scientists do not expect a wave of closures
Researchers at the IfM Bonn expect a further increase in start-ups in the second half of 2021. However, the number is unlikely to reach the level seen before the outbreak of the pandemic. Another factor dampening start-up activity is the reintroduction of the master craftsman's certificate requirement in some trades at the beginning of 2020. Furthermore, the short-time work regulations have had little impact on start-ups from the labor market.
The study authors also do not expect a wave of business closures in the second half of 2021. However, risks for companies arise from shortages of intermediate products and labor, as well as from price increases.
