The Birth Rate Among Startups Reached 15.2 in 2023

In 2023, the birth rate of enterprises was 15.2. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the birth rate of enterprises in 2022 was 16.1, and their share in employment was 5.5%. In 2023, the birth rate decreased to 15.2%, and the employment share fell to 5.0%.

Among the newly established enterprises in 2023, the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector had the highest share at 33.5%. This was followed by transportation and storage at 17.9%, and manufacturing at 10.1%.

In terms of provinces, Istanbul received the highest share of new enterprises in 2023, accounting for 27.3%, followed by Ankara at 7.9% and İzmir at 6.6%.

The death rate of enterprises in 2021 was 11.4%. The death rate in 2020 was 9.6%, rising to 11.4% in 2021. The share of deceased enterprises in employment was 3.6% in 2020 and increased to 4.0% in 2021.

In 2021, the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector again had the highest share of deceased enterprises at 36.0%. This was followed by transportation and storage at 14.2% and the construction sector at 11.8%.

Istanbul also accounted for the highest share of deceased enterprises in 2021 at 24.5%, followed by Ankara at 6.7% and İzmir at 5.8%.

In 2022, 75.5% of enterprises born that year survived in 2023. The one-year survival rate for enterprises in 2021 was 75.3%, while the two-year survival rate was 56.7%.

The rate of high-growth enterprises in 2023 was 14.7%, while the rate for gazelle enterprises was 2.5%.

In 2023, 26.6% of high-growth enterprises operated in the manufacturing sector, 19.9% in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, and 14.7% in construction. For gazelle enterprises, 25.7% were in manufacturing, 14.3% in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, and 12.4% in construction.

In the manufacturing industry, 57.7% of enterprises established in 2023 produced low-tech products. Additionally, 29.1% produced medium-low technology products, 12.2% medium-high technology products, and 1.0% high technology products.

The share of turnover for enterprises established in or after 2016 in 2023 was 26.9%. The second highest turnover share was held by enterprises established between 2011 and 2015, at 14.4%.

The employment share for enterprises established in or after 2016 in 2023 was 34.7%, while those established between 2011 and 2015 had an employment share of 15.8%.

The export share of enterprises established in or after 2016 in 2023 was 20.1%. In comparison, enterprises established in 1990 or earlier had the second highest export share at 16.9%.

The import share for enterprises established in or after 2016 in 2023 was 15.1%, whereas those established in 1990 or earlier had the highest import share at 28.0%.