BFS time series show a clear rise in formal enforcement. We highlight the 2024 YoY changes and the longer-term trend — and explain what you can (and cannot) infer from the data.
This note summarises key BFS time series on debt enforcement actions and bankruptcy proceedings in Switzerland (1994/1995–2024). We intentionally rely on official, citable sources; the interpretation remains cautious: data shows developments, not automatic causes. [BFS T 06.02.03.02; BFS T 06.02.03.03]
We use two BFS tables:
T 06.02.03.02 (debt enforcement actions by canton): includes payment orders, executed seizures, and realisations (asset sales) — with a Switzerland total row. [BFS T 06.02.03.02]
T 06.02.03.03 (bankruptcy proceedings by canton): includes bankruptcy openings (total), closures and losses (in thousand CHF) — with a Switzerland total row. [BFS T 06.02.03.03]
For the charts, we use the BFS “Total” row.
Payment orders are a key early indicator of formal proceedings.
Selected points:
2024: 3,306,997 payment orders (YoY +8.5% vs 2023). [BFS T 06.02.03.02]
5-year view (2019→2024): +7.9%. [BFS T 06.02.03.02]
Bankruptcy openings are “late” events in the escalation path — which makes them especially relevant for why early resolution matters.
Selected points:
2024: 17,036 bankruptcy openings (YoY +10.3% vs 2023). [BFS T 06.02.03.03]
5-year view (2019→2024): +23.1%. [BFS T 06.02.03.03]
The simultaneous movement across multiple metrics matters: not only “one” step in the process is rising — several are.
What the series shows well:
Volume of formal steps (and therefore potential pressure on liquidity, processes and institutions).
Direction of change over time.
What the series does not answer:
Causality (macro factors, sector mix, rates, behavioural changes, legal changes etc. require separate analysis).
Moral judgments: enforcement and bankruptcy are procedures, not labels.
The BFS time series show: in 2024, both payment orders and bankruptcy openings are up, and the 5-year view shows a pronounced increase, especially in bankruptcy openings. For businesses this means: receivables management and out-of-court debt collection have become operationally more important — not as “toughness”, but as early clarification and de-escalation capability. [BFS T 06.02.03.02; BFS T 06.02.03.03]
BFS: Debt enforcement actions by canton (T 06.02.03.02), Excel download: https://dam-api.bfs.admin.ch/hub/api/dam/assets/34907025/master (retrieved 2026-01-23)
BFS: Bankruptcy proceedings by canton (T 06.02.03.03), Excel download: https://dam-api.bfs.admin.ch/hub/api/dam/assets/34907023/master (retrieved 2026-01-23)
opendata.swiss dataset: https://opendata.swiss/de/dataset/betreibungshandlungen-nach-kanton4
opendata.swiss dataset: https://opendata.swiss/de/dataset/konkursverfahren-nach-kanton4
This publication is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. It is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation. It is directed solely at qualified investors in Switzerland and is not intended for U.S. persons.
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In this series
Further reading you may find relevant.
From 1 January 2025, debt enforcement for certain registered debtors can proceed as bankruptcy. We summarise the change at a high level and what it implies for early, fair collection practices.
Most cases are won or lost before formal enforcement. We outline a practical, respectful playbook: documentation, timing, negotiation and when to escalate — with an eye on recovery rates and reputation.
Professional debt collection is a compliance discipline. This post highlights what “serious” looks like: data minimisation, respectful messaging, clear evidence and robust vendor governance.
Regulatory notice
This material is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or solicitation. It is directed exclusively at qualified investors and is not intended for US persons.
