Coimbra is among the few districts in the country where business creation increased in the first eight months of 2026, registering growth of 2.3%, corresponding to 23 more incorporations than in the same period the previous year. This evolution places the district in countercycle with the national trend, where 36,124 businesses were created, 1,116 fewer than between January and August 2025, representing a reduction of 3%. Only five districts escaped the downward trend, with Santarém leading in absolute numbers and Coimbra in third position.
Construction was one of the main engines of this business dynamism, with 5,398 businesses created in this sector since January, which now occupies second place among the activities with the highest number of incorporations. Information and Communication Technologies also grew, with 135 more businesses and an increase of 5.3%. In the opposite direction, Agriculture registered a drop of 27% and Accommodation and catering lost 347 new businesses.
Despite the positive performance of territories such as Coimbra, the national business fabric continues to face difficulties. Since the beginning of the year, 7,802 businesses have closed throughout the country, although this number represents a decrease of 7.8% compared to the previous 12 months. Business Services and Retail were the sectors with the greatest reduction in closures.
Insolvencies, however, maintained an upward trajectory, with 1,327 businesses subject to new proceedings between January and August, 1.3% more than in the same period the previous year. Real Estate Activities doubled the number of new insolvencies, while Accommodation and catering and General services also showed negative developments, especially in Greater Lisbon.
