The number of people closing their businesses fell in the first quarter of this year, the first drop in two and a half years according to the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). At the same time, the number of new start-ups rose compared to last year.
Business closures were down by 7.2%, with about 63,000 firms shutting down. Experts believe this is because many business owners who were worried about new rules on self-employment have already made the choice to close, leaving fewer “undecided” businesses left to shut.
While new start-ups grew by 2% overall, numbers dropped in healthcare and the arts. This is likely due to uncertainty over government regulations, which has made starting a business in these specific fields feel more risky and less attractive.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
