One in twelve North Rhine-Westphalia companies was new in 2024
Statistics agency IT.NRW reports that 53,933 companies were newly founded in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2024, out of 676,407 active firms, a founding rate of 8.0%, about one in twelve. That is above the national rate of 7.8%. Cologne and Düsseldorf recorded the most new firms, while Gelsenkirchen had the highest rate among the big cities.
What does it mean?
Each year a number of new businesses start and some close. In 2024 North Rhine-Westphalia had slightly more startups than the German average, but many firms still closed. Startup activity was strongest in arts and entertainment and weakest in mining, manufacturing and energy.
Who is affected?
Entrepreneurs and people thinking about starting a business in North Rhine-Westphalia, and local economies in the cities and districts named.