Crisis of businesses or age of empires?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 02. 06. 11:59

In 2024, only 24 thousand new partnerships were started in Hungary, which is the weakest result in the past eight years. While the entrepreneurial spirit has decreased, more than 6 thousand entrepreneurs now manage more than six companies, and “corporate empires” with interests in ten or more companies have continued to strengthen.

According to OPTEN data, only 24 thousand new partnerships were established in Hungary in 2024, which is a 6% decrease compared to the previous year and an 18% decrease compared to 2022. This result is the weakest indicator in the past eight years.

The number of new entrants – those who have not previously participated in partnerships as either owners or managers – also decreased. While the number of new companies fell by 6%, the number of businesses founded by new entrants showed a smaller decrease of 5%, but still did not reach 6 thousand.

The number of partnerships has decreased by 23,000 in the past two years, while the number of sole proprietorships has increased by 55,000. Although there is no precise data on the criteria on which entrepreneurs choose their form, it can be assumed that sole proprietorship is more attractive in terms of cost-effectiveness.