#EMPLOYMENT & SOCIETY
“Nobody starts a business in France anymore.” Quite the opposite: September 2026 set a record, with 119,307 new businesses — the highest level ever recorded since 2000.
Published on October 18, 2026 · to be rechecked on November 30, 2026
According to Insee, France recorded 119,307 new business registrations in September 2026 (seasonally and working-day adjusted), up 1.1% over the month after +7.2% in August — a new high since the series began in January 2000. From July to September, creations rose 16.0% year on year (+45,500), driven mainly by sole proprietorships (+23.2%) and micro-entrepreneurs (+18.6%), while companies grew less (+6.2%). Over twelve months, the increase is 12.2%.
Are business creations falling in France?
No: September 2026 set a record at 119,307 registrations (adjusted), +1.1% over the month and +16.0% year on year over the quarter. But most of the rise comes from sole proprietorships and micro-entrepreneurs.
In other words: the number of new businesses has never been higher, but creating a business is not the same as keeping it alive.
Four caveats that belong with the number
- The record is on seasonally and working-day adjusted data, not raw figures.
- The quarterly rise comes mainly from sole proprietorships (+23.2%) and micro-entrepreneurs (+18.6%); companies grew less (+6.2%).
- Micro-entrepreneurs actually fell 1.6% in September alone.
- Creating a business is not keeping it alive: meanwhile France recorded 70,605 insolvencies over twelve months to end-July (Banque de France).
Why it still matters: many new registrations, driven by individual statuses; a sign of activity, not a guarantee of survival.
For you
- Do you know exactly what the micro-entrepreneur status involves?
- Between the number of creations and their survival rate, which better describes economic vitality?
Source: Insee, Informations rapides no. 249, “Sharp year-on-year rise in business creations from July to September 2026”, 16 October 2026.
View the source →