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Number of enterprise closures grew by 21 per cent in 2020

Enterprise openings in 2020

According to Statistics Finland, there were 39,684 enterprise openings in 2020. There were three per cent more enterprise openings than in 2019, when there were 38,680 enterprise openings.

Examined by industry, the number of enterprise openings was highest in professional, scientific and technical activities in 2020. In this industry, enterprise openings numbered 6,880, which was a growth of five per cent from one year ago. In relative terms, most growth was recorded in financial and insurance activities, where the number of enterprise openings went up by 26 per cent. The number of enterprise openings decreased in other service activities, arts, entertainment and recreation and transportation and storage. The number of enterprise openings decreased most in the last mentioned, by 12 per cent. In other major industries, the number grew or remained unchanged.

Examined by region, most enterprise openings in 2020 were recorded in Uusimaa, 15,666 enterprises. The number of enterprise openings was next highest in Pirkanmaa (3,708) and Southwest Finland (3,370). The number of enterprise openings increased in all regions from one year back, apart from in Ostrobothnia and Kanta-Häme. Relative to the enterprise stock in the region, the number of enterprise openings was highest in Uusimaa (10.5%) and lowest in South Ostrobothnia (6.2%). The number of enterprise openings per 100,000 inhabitants was 920 in Uusimaa and 451 in Kainuu. One-half of the regions exceeded the value of 563 enterprise openings per 100,000 inhabitants and one-half fell below it. This average value is from Satakunta.

Examined by sub-regional unit, the number of enterprise openings was highest in 2020 in the sub-regional unit of Helsinki, where they totalled 14,809. There were 3,119 enterprise openings in the sub-regional unit of Tampere and 2,435 in the sub-regional unit of Turku. Relative to the enterprise stock, the numbers of enterprise openings were highest in the sub-regional units of Helsinki, Oulu and Jyväskylä (10.7%). Compared to one year earlier, enterprise openings decreased in 38 per cent of the sub-regional units.

Examined by municipality, Helsinki had the highest number of enterprise openings in 2020, in total 7,654. The number of enterprise openings was next highest in Espoo, 2,556, and in Tampere, 1,926. In all, the number of enterprise openings rose or remained unchanged from the year before in around three out of five municipalities.

Enterprise closures in 2020

According to Statistics Finland, there were 25,319 enterprise closures in 2020. There were 21 per cent more enterprise closures than in 2019, when 20,915 enterprise closures were recorded.

Examined by industry, the number of enterprise closures was highest in 2020 in professional, scientific and technical activities, 4,040 enterprises. The figure shows an increase of 20 per cent from the year before. The number of enterprise closures grew in almost every industry. In relative terms, the number of enterprise closures increased most in education (59%) and human health and social work activities (42%) from one year ago.

Examined by region, more than one-third of enterprise closures in 2020 occurred in Uusimaa, 9,748 enterprises. The next highest numbers of enterprise closures were recorded in Pirkanmaa (2,251) and Southwest Finland (2,202). Relative to the enterprise stock, the number of enterprise closures was highest in Uusimaa (6.5%) and lowest on Åland (4.2%). The number of enterprise closures per 100,000 inhabitants was 367 in South Savo. One-half of the regions had a higher ratio and one-half a lower ratio than this, the highest in Uusimaa (573) and the lowest in Kainuu (299).

Examined by sub-regional unit, the highest number of enterprise closures in 2020 was recorded in the sub-regional unit of Helsinki, 9,156 enterprises. There were 1,839 enterprise closures in the sub-regional unit of Tampere and 1,549 in the sub-regional unit of Turku. Relative to the enterprise stock, the number of enterprise closures was highest in Helsinki (6.6%) and lowest in Joutsa and in the Åland archipelago, in both of which the number of enterprise closure accounted for 3.4 per cent of the enterprise stock in the area. In around 12 per cent of the sub-regional units the number of enterprise closures decreased.

Examined by municipality, 4,875 enterprise closures were recorded in Helsinki in 2020. The number of enterprise closures was next highest in Espoo, 1,477, and in Tampere, 1,134. In two out of three municipalities the number of enterprise closures increased from the year before.


Source: Enterprise openings and closures 2020, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Tommi Veistämö 029 551 3546, Mira Kuussaari 0295513538, rakenne.tilastot@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja


Updated 28.10.2021

Referencing instructions:

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Enterprise openings and closures [e-publication].
ISSN=1799-2346. 2020, Number of enterprise closures grew by 21 per cent in 2020 . Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 28.3.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/aly/2020/aly_2020_2021-10-28_kat_001_en.html