Hong Kong Corporate Registry Statistical Yearbook & Cohort Survival Whitepaper (1865–2026) - 86HC
Official statistical yearbook of 3.87M+ Hong Kong local corporations (1,628,654 currently live + 16,273 non-HK companies) incorporated from 1865 to 2026: annual registration volume, YoY growth, monthly trends, and 1/3/5/10-year cohort survival rate benchmarks.
🏛️ Cumulative Incorporations (1865–Present)3,870,099Spanning 143 active registration years under Cap. 622
🟢 Currently Live Entities1,628,654Overall survival: 42.1% (+16,273 live Non-HK Part 16 corps)
📈 All-Time Annual Peak (2025)195,343Record local incorporations (+34.7% YoY · +1,532 Non-HK)
⏳ Median Corporate Lifespan6.5 Yrs3-Yr Survival: 76.6% · 5-Yr: 60% · 10-Yr: 34.9%
📊 15-Year Hong Kong Corporate Registration Volume, YoY Growth & Cohort Survival Rate (2012–2026)
⚡ Cap. 622 Verified Dataset · Annual Cohort Tracking| Cohort Year | New Incorporations | YoY Change | Currently Live | Dissolved | Cohort Survival Rate | Peak Registration Month | Annual Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 180,090 | YTD Active | 179,910 | 180 | 99.9% | Mar (25,245) | View → |
| 2025 | 195,343 | +34.7% | 192,999 | 2,344 | 98.8% | Nov (22,396) | View → |
| 2024 | 145,053 | +9.7% | 133,594 | 11,459 | 92.1% | Nov (13,895) | View → |
| 2023 | 132,246 | +27% | 101,341 | 30,905 | 76.6% | Mar (26,178) | View → |
| 2022 | 104,120 | -6.1% | 68,929 | 35,191 | 66.2% | Nov (9,784) | View → |
| 2021 | 110,840 | +11.5% | 66,510 | 44,330 | 60% | Mar (11,414) | View → |
| 2020 | 99,405 | -20.3% | 55,521 | 43,884 | 55.9% | May (9,281) | View → |
| 2019 | 124,741 | -17.8% | 79,000 | 45,741 | 63.3% | Apr (13,816) | View → |
| 2018 | 151,739 | -5.3% | 72,648 | 79,091 | 47.9% | Jan (19,302) | View → |
| 2017 | 160,229 | +10.6% | 69,675 | 90,554 | 43.5% | Mar (28,416) | View → |
| 2016 | 144,883 | +4.1% | 50,553 | 94,330 | 34.9% | Apr (16,423) | View → |
| 2015 | 139,209 | -16.8% | 50,353 | 88,856 | 36.2% | Jun (13,449) | View → |
| 2014 | 167,280 | -3.9% | 48,956 | 118,324 | 29.3% | Mar (30,463) | View → |
| 2013 | 174,031 | +15.9% | 48,405 | 125,626 | 27.8% | Apr (16,481) | View → |
| 2012 | 150,165 | +1.2% | 43,227 | 106,938 | 28.8% | Apr (17,053) | View → |
📈 Hong Kong Corporate Cohort Survival Rate Benchmark Curve (1-Yr to 25-Yr Lifespan)
🛡️ Commercial Credit & KYB Risk Benchmark| Corporate Age Milestone | Reference Cohort Year | Cohort Incorporations | Currently Live | Empirical Survival Rate | Statutory Compliance & KYB Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Cohort (Newly Formed) | 2025 Cohort | 195,343 | 192,999 | 98.8% | Prior to 1st Annual Return (NAR1); verify Incorporation Form (NNC1) & active 8-digit BRN. |
| 3-Year Cohort (Early Growth) | 2023 Cohort | 132,246 | 101,341 | 76.6% | ~22.6% attrition after 1st/2nd audit & NAR1 cycle; inspect latest Form NAR1 & ND2A director changes. |
| 5-Year Cohort (Established) | 2021 Cohort | 110,840 | 66,510 | 60% | Approaching median lifespan (6.5 yrs); verify continuous BRC renewal & share allotments (NSC1). |
| 10-Year Cohort (Mature) | 2016 Cohort | 144,883 | 50,553 | 34.9% | Top 35% resilient corporations; screen High Court (HCA/HCCW) litigation & mortgage charges (NM1). |
| 15-Year Cohort (Long-Standing) | 2011 Cohort | 148,329 | 40,780 | 27.5% | Incorporated under Cap. 32 and transitioned to Cap. 622; check former names & UBO structure. |
| 25-Year Cohort (Legacy Benchmark) | 2001 Cohort | 41,498 | 8,130 | 19.6% | Over 1 in 5 remain active after 25 years; order 360° Commercial Credit Report & CPA CTC. |
🗂️ Chronological Annual Yearbook Matrix (1960–2026)
⚡ Click Any Year for Monthly Trends & Survival Rate2026180,090 CorpsLive Rate: 99.9%2025195,343 CorpsLive Rate: 98.8%2024145,053 CorpsLive Rate: 92.1%2023132,246 CorpsLive Rate: 76.6%2022104,120 CorpsLive Rate: 66.2%2021110,840 CorpsLive Rate: 60%202099,405 CorpsLive Rate: 55.9%2019124,741 CorpsLive Rate: 63.3%2018151,739 CorpsLive Rate: 47.9%2017160,229 CorpsLive Rate: 43.5%2016144,883 CorpsLive Rate: 34.9%2015139,209 CorpsLive Rate: 36.2%2014167,280 CorpsLive Rate: 29.3%2013174,031 CorpsLive Rate: 27.8%2012150,165 CorpsLive Rate: 28.8%2011148,329 CorpsLive Rate: 27.5%2010139,530 CorpsLive Rate: 27.6%2009109,424 CorpsLive Rate: 27.1%200898,645 CorpsLive Rate: 24.2%2007100,761 CorpsLive Rate: 29.3%200681,974 CorpsLive Rate: 23.4%200573,359 CorpsLive Rate: 23.5%200465,558 CorpsLive Rate: 23.6%200353,549 CorpsLive Rate: 21.8%200238,692 CorpsLive Rate: 26%200141,498 CorpsLive Rate: 19.6%200039,506 CorpsLive Rate: 22.5%199935,610 CorpsLive Rate: 21%199829,958 CorpsLive Rate: 20%199749,292 CorpsLive Rate: 17.7%199649,753 CorpsLive Rate: 17.6%199533,024 CorpsLive Rate: 17.1%199442,722 CorpsLive Rate: 15.8%199361,815 CorpsLive Rate: 14.7%199258,108 CorpsLive Rate: 14.7%199143,981 CorpsLive Rate: 17.2%199026,170 CorpsLive Rate: 16.1%198931,680 CorpsLive Rate: 15.9%198830,477 CorpsLive Rate: 16.3%198726,370 CorpsLive Rate: 16.2%198616,744 CorpsLive Rate: 16.9%198518,448 CorpsLive Rate: 15.7%198413,427 CorpsLive Rate: 14.8%198311,557 CorpsLive Rate: 14%198212,966 CorpsLive Rate: 13.7%198115,874 CorpsLive Rate: 13.4%198014,590 CorpsLive Rate: 14.2%197910,278 CorpsLive Rate: 13.9%19788,843 CorpsLive Rate: 14.5%19776,779 CorpsLive Rate: 14.9%19765,476 CorpsLive Rate: 14.2%19754,165 CorpsLive Rate: 13.5%19744,569 CorpsLive Rate: 12.6%19735,534 CorpsLive Rate: 14.6%19725,035 CorpsLive Rate: 18.6%19714,006 CorpsLive Rate: 17.4%19703,426 CorpsLive Rate: 15.4%19692,568 CorpsLive Rate: 15.8%19681,681 CorpsLive Rate: 14.6%19671,244 CorpsLive Rate: 16.1%19661,386 CorpsLive Rate: 16.6%19651,259 CorpsLive Rate: 17%19641,448 CorpsLive Rate: 17.7%19631,252 CorpsLive Rate: 17%19621,074 CorpsLive Rate: 20.2%1961864 CorpsLive Rate: 15.2%1960646 CorpsLive Rate: 17.3%
🏛️ Historical Heritage Corporate Registry (1865–1959)
76 Active Heritage Years Preserved1959450 CorpsLive 16.9%1958353 CorpsLive 20.4%1957353 CorpsLive 20.1%1956263 CorpsLive 20.5%1955265 CorpsLive 19.6%1954234 CorpsLive 19.7%1953205 CorpsLive 15.6%1952244 CorpsLive 19.3%1951230 CorpsLive 19.1%1950221 CorpsLive 11.3%1949263 CorpsLive 11.8%1948222 CorpsLive 16.2%1947295 CorpsLive 12.9%1946370 CorpsLive 8.1%194177 CorpsLive 7.8%194086 CorpsLive 12.8%193983 CorpsLive 12%193885 CorpsLive 5.9%193773 CorpsLive 11%193658 CorpsLive 12.1%193560 CorpsLive 11.7%193469 CorpsLive 5.8%193396 CorpsLive 12.5%193285 CorpsLive 7.1%193184 CorpsLive 10.7%193064 CorpsLive 10.9%192958 CorpsLive 10.3%192870 CorpsLive 5.7%192748 CorpsLive 10.4%192638 CorpsLive 10.5%192539 CorpsLive 7.7%192496 CorpsLive 7.3%192389 CorpsLive 7.9%192254 CorpsLive 9.3%192163 CorpsLive 4.8%192050 CorpsLive 4%191950 CorpsLive 8%191826 CorpsLive 11.5%191720 CorpsLive 10%191630 CorpsLive 3.3%191529 CorpsLive 13.8%191418 CorpsLive 5.6%191313 CorpsLive 7.7%19129 CorpsLive 22.2%191110 CorpsLive 20%191010 CorpsLive 30%19096 CorpsLive 0%19086 CorpsLive 0%19077 CorpsLive 28.6%19067 CorpsLive 14.3%19053 CorpsLive 66.7%19046 CorpsLive 16.7%19035 CorpsLive 20%19023 CorpsLive 0%19016 CorpsLive 0%19002 CorpsLive 0%18994 CorpsLive 50%18982 CorpsLive 50%18963 CorpsLive 33.3%18952 CorpsLive 50%18921 CorpsLive 0%18914 CorpsLive 25%18896 CorpsLive 33.3%18882 CorpsLive 0%18871 CorpsLive 100%18863 CorpsLive 66.7%18851 CorpsLive 100%18832 CorpsLive 50%18821 CorpsLive 100%18812 CorpsLive 0%18801 CorpsLive 0%18781 CorpsLive 0%18701 CorpsLive 0%18681 CorpsLive 0%18662 CorpsLive 100%18652 CorpsLive 0%
❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Hong Kong Corporate Registry Statistics & Survival Rates
1. How many companies are incorporated in Hong Kong each year, and which year was the all-time peak?
According to Hong Kong Companies Registry (Cap. 622) open data compiled by 86hc.com, annual local incorporations expanded from 270 entities in 1950 to 44,539 in 1997, surpassed 100,000 in 2010 (139,530), and reached an all-time historical peak of 195,343 newly incorporated local companies in 2025 (+34.7% YoY compared to 145,053 in 2024, plus 1,532 newly registered non-Hong Kong companies).
2. What is the 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year cohort survival rate of Hong Kong companies?
Across 3,870,099+ registered local entities (1,628,654 currently live local companies plus 16,273 live non-HK companies) in Hong Kong, the 1-year survival rate (2025 cohort) is 98.8%, the 3-year survival rate (2023 cohort) is 76.6%, the 5-year survival rate (2021 cohort) is 60%, the 10-year survival rate (2016 cohort) is 34.9%, and the 20-year survival rate (2006 cohort) is 23.4%. The median corporate lifespan in Hong Kong is approximately 6.5 years.
3. Why do newly incorporated Hong Kong companies use the 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN / UBI) as their unified statutory identifier?
Since 27 December 2023, the Hong Kong Companies Registry implemented Phase 2 of the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) statutory regime under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). The 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN) issued by the Inland Revenue Department now serves as the unified statutory identifier on all Certificates of Incorporation and statutory filings.
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