Russia records historic low in the number of new companies
In the first half of 2026, Russia has seen a noticeable decline in business activity. According to the latest data, the number of new commercial enterprises has decreased by 23.6% compared to the same period last year. A total of 66.7 thousand new companies were registered over the six-month period.
Experts note that the current figures are the lowest in the last 16 years. A similar level of new legal entity registrations was last recorded in 2010. This indicates significant shifts in the structure of Russian business and the sentiment of entrepreneurs.
The decline in the number of new companies may be linked to a range of economic factors, including changes in lending conditions and the general market situation. Many entrepreneurs currently prefer to adapt to existing conditions within their current structures rather than opening new firms.
Future developments will depend on economic policy and support for small and medium-sized businesses. Analysts continue to monitor how these indicators will affect the labor market and the overall dynamics of the country's economic development in the coming months.