The recession significantly affected the number of new businesses set up in 2008 which according to size and legal form are particularly important for the German economy. As compared to 2007 the number of these businesses newly set up fell by 2.9 % in 2008. The number of small enterprises also decreased by -7.4% following -12% in 2007 as compared to 2006. The number of sideline businesses, however, increased by 5% to 253,000.
As in recent years, 31% of business founders in 2008 were women. In total, the number of new businesses registered last year amounted to about 833,000 which was 1.8 % less as compared to the year 2007. This number also includes those registrations which have to be carried out in case of relocation, reorganization or takeover.
The number of businesses having major importance for the German economy which were closed in 2008 amounted to 126,000 which was an increase by 3.0 % as compared to the previous year. The number of small enterprises which had to be shut down in 2008 slightly fell by -0.8 % as compared to 2007. 