Guest commentary: If Germany simply lets its companies disappear
Why a lack of succession threatens to push Germany's location below the "waterline" and what can be done about it, explain Stephan Jansen and Peter Klotzki.
Germany is seeking to boost growth through start-ups and transformation amid ongoing economic weakness. The country faces challenges such as bureaucracy, high taxes, and a shortage of skilled workers. A significant threat to Germany's economy is the impending succession crisis, with thousands of businesses, offices, and practices facing a change in leadership, but struggling to find suitable successors.
In 2025, 187,744 companies closed, with 87% not being insolvent, and 5,500 of those were medical practices. By 2029, around 109,000 companies will be seeking a successor each year, but 114,000 may consider closure instead.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
