Turkish new company formations edge down in 2025 as liquidations rise slightly

The total number of new companies established in Türkiye during 2025 saw a slight decrease compared to the previous year, according to official figures released on Friday. Data from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) indicated that 113,779 companies were launched last year, representing a 1.5% decline from the 115,463 recorded in 2024.

Rising Closures Amid Annual Decline

While new entries dipped, exits from the market increased. The TOBB report showed that 32,753 companies were liquidated in 2025, marking a 1.8% rise from the previous year. This subtle shift suggests a slight tightening in the business environment or a continuation of market normalization following periods of high entrepreneurial activity.

Volatile End to the Year

December data revealed sharp monthly swings, potentially linked to seasonal or regulatory factors. New company formations in the last month of 2025 jumped 34.7% from November to reach 12,795, while also showing a 1.1% increase compared to December 2024. Conversely, company liquidations in December surged dramatically on a monthly basis, rising 154.3% to 5,568, although this figure was down 9.4% year-over-year.

Sustained Foreign Investor Interest

Despite the overall annual dip, foreign participation in the Turkish economy remained evident. TOBB's breakdown for December showed that 787 new companies established during the month included foreign partners. Turkish partners were involved in 573 of these ventures, while German and Iranian partners were the next most common, involved in 22 and 21 new companies respectively.