Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/259781 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Citation: 
[Journal:] Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics [ISSN:] 2235-6282 [Volume:] 158 [Issue:] 1 [Article No.:] 6 [Publisher:] Springer [Place:] Heidelberg [Year:] 2022 [Pages:] 1-25
Publisher: 
Springer, Heidelberg
Abstract: 
This paper examines the incidence of firm bankruptcies and start-ups in Switzerland based on unique register data. We propose to assess the frequency of bankruptcies over time using the concept of excess mortality. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and the first half of 2021, bankruptcy rates were substantially lower as compared to the pre-crisis period. This holds across most industries and regions. The Great Recession and the Swiss Franc Shock showed reverse patterns. Bankruptcies dropped more in industries and cantons, in which the share of firms who received a COVID-19 loan is comparatively high. In winter 2021, bankruptcies rebounded strongly. Since summer 2020, the number of new firm formations has been significantly higher compared to the time before the crisis. This is also in contrast to the previous crises. The strong start-up activity is driven by industries where the pandemic induced structural adjustments.
Subjects: 
Canton-level
COVID-19 crisis
Excess mortality
Firm bankruptcies
Firm formations
Industry-level
Insolvencies
Start-ups
Switzerland
JEL: 
E32
G33
M13
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.