More than 1,500 SA businesses liquidated in 2025

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) says more than 1,500 South African businesses closed their doors in 2025.

This is 17 fewer liquidations seen during the year under review, compared with 2024, representing a 1.1% drop.

Stats SA released the December liquidation figures on Wednesday, concluding the results for the 2025 calendar year.

Principal survey statistician at Stats SA, Onica Mushwana, explained: “The 1,534 liquidations in 2025 included 193 compulsory liquidations and 1,341 voluntary liquidations, broken down by the type of institution, 836 companies, and 698 closed corporations closed their doors in 2025.”

Mushwana added that the number of company closures declined by 15 cases in 2025, compared with 2024.

“The number of liquidations by close corporations declined by two cases over the same period.”