Creditreform and the Center for European Economic Research estimate more than
180,000 German firms ceased operations in 2025, up about 10% YoY and the highest
level in nearly 20 years. The total is second only to 2007's roughly 208,000
closures. Exits rose across almost all sectors; accommodation and food services
accounted for about 15,000 closures, a 15% YoY increase. A Creditreform
economist said the crisis is spreading across the economy and that some
Previously healthy firms are now choosing to shut.