Movimprese: 700 more enterprises in the first quarter of 2026

Surprisingly, the number of companies in Italia grew in the first quarter of the year: 690 more companies were registered between January and March. They represent the positive balance between 105,051 registrations and 104,361 terminations. This is a counter-trend result considering that the first quarter is historically penalised by the consolidation of closures at the end of the year. The only precedent in the last decade dates back to 2021, but in an exceptional context marked by pandemic dynamics. And the result is also surprising in the current economic phase strongly influenced by conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

These figures emerge from Movimprese, the statistical analysis conducted by Unioncamere and InfoCamere on the basis of the Chambers of Commerce Business Register. The current balance is the result of a significant contraction in closures, against the stability of openings compared to the same period last year. As of 31 March this year, the total stock of registered enterprises in Italia reached 5,811,877 units.

The expansion of services continues. The South and the Centre lead the territorial growth. In particular, the South and Islands recorded the best result in absolute terms: +1,673 enterprises (+0.08%), driven by Campania (+1,193) and Sicily (+638). The highest percentage growth, on the other hand, was in the Centre (+0.12%, equal to +1,506 enterprises), driven almost entirely by Lazio (+2,477 units), which has the highest regional figure, with a rate of +0.42%. The Capital, in the first quarter of 2026, recorded the best entrepreneurial balance at Italia level: 8,367 registrations against 5,976 terminations, equal to a positive balance of +2,391 enterprises. And a growth rate of 0.55% (much higher than the national average, which is practically nil, i.e. 0.01%).

Both northern divisions closed in the negative. The North-East contracted by 0.15% (-1,694 units), while the North-West limited its losses to 0.05% (-795 enterprises), thanks to Lombardy, which went against the tide compared to its macro-area, with a positive balance of +722 enterprises.

"The result of the quarterly balance between openings and terminations reflects the climate of expectation of businesses, which, in a situation of widespread uncertainty, are waiting to understand the evolution of the context before making a definitive choice _ states the president of Unioncamere, Andrea Prete _ The result for the South of Italy is good, confirming a development dynamic in the southern regions that is also attested by other economic indicators".