Mobile Menu

Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

David Riemeier David Riemeier Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: June 2024 WZ N82.91DE

Revenue

€5.3bn

2024

€5.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

22,824

Businesses

1,048

Wages

€X.Xbn

Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany industry analysis

The debt collection service provider and credit agency sector had to contend with a drop in sales during the pandemic. However, the development in the individual industry segments varied. While credit agencies recorded a sharp increase in orders in 2020 and 2021, debt collection companies suffered a decline in sales due to liquidity bottlenecks among many debtors. Despite rising consumption and the still relatively high demand from companies for bridging loans due to the Ukraine crisis, only very low revenue growth is expected in the sector from 2023 onwards. In 2024, turnover is expected to grow by 0.5% compared to the previous year, resulting in turnover of €5.3 billion. Over the last five years, the average annual decline in turnover in the industry was 1.7%.An important indicator for the development of the sector is the volume of loans granted to non-banks. If more loans are taken out, the demand from credit agencies tends to increase, as does the likelihood of payment delays and the need to call in debt collection service providers. The credit volume is expected to increase in 2024, as many companies will still need liquidity injections as a result of the trade conflict with Russia and the very high energy prices. The fact that private households are consuming more again should also have a positive effect on the sector. When people consume more, the likelihood of bills not being paid on time also increases, which benefits debt collection service providers.In the coming years, sales in the sector are likely to grow more strongly again. However, consumption is likely to be impacted by high inflation rates and rising interest rates on loans. On the other hand, sales are expected to rise again due to the anticipated economic recovery. On average, sales are expected to grow by 1.5% per year to 5.8 billion euros.

Trends and Insights

  • There are signs of a sustained downturn in the macroeconomic environment. Low-income consumers who are no longer able to bear the increased energy and food prices are at risk of becoming insolvent in the long term.
  • Credit institutions are the most important customers for the services of debt collection agencies and credit agencies. They generate more than half of the industry's turnover.
  • In a nationwide comparison, the centre region has the most branches of debt collection companies and credit agencies. The reason for this is the region's large population and strong economy.
  • Competition within the industry is moderate. There are many smaller companies active on the market that are in direct competition with each other, as there is little room for differentiation in debt collection and credit reports.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
  • PDF report or online database with Word, Excel and PowerPoint export options
  • 100% money back guarantee

Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €5.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Debt collection agencies and credit agencies play an important role in the granting of credit

  • The services of debt collection companies and credit agencies play an important role in the granting and collection of loans. The creditworthiness information provided by credit agencies enables credit institutions in particular to make well-founded decisions about the creditworthiness of companies and private individuals, which reduces the probability of default on loans and thus secures the turnover of credit institutions.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The amendment to debt collection law slows down growth prospects in the wake of automation

  • Slight sales growth is expected on average for the industry in the coming years, which should benefit in particular from technological innovations in the field of automation.

Biggest companies in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA
666.0
Verband der Vereine Creditreform e. V.
455.0
Schufa Holding AG
295.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 8 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Services of credit agencies, Recovery of debts under 10,000 euros and Recovery of debts from 10,000 euros to 24,999 euros. Services of credit agencies is the largest segment of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The various credit rating transparency services form the core of the industry

  • The services provided by credit agencies include credit checks, credit reports, identity checks and various analysis and consulting activities.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Collection agencies deal with the collection of receivables on behalf of customers in return for a fee. Credit agencies compile information on the credit behaviour of potential borrowers, among other things, in order to provide it to credit institutions and other companies that assess creditworthiness. Factoring businesses are not part of the industry.

What's included in this industry?

Services of credit agenciesRecovery of debts under 10,000 eurosRecovery of debts from 10,000 euros to 24,999 eurosRecovery of debts from 25,000 euros to 49,999 eurosRecovery of debts from 50,000 euros to 99,999 eurosRecovery of debts of 100,000 euros or more

Companies

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaAVerband der Vereine Creditreform e. V.Schufa Holding AG

Purchase this report to view all 8 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BELIEVERMANDATMACHINE DECISIONTITLECOLLECTION COSTSENFORCEMENT ORDERMAIL RUNDURABLE GOODS

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 82.91 - Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

There are signs of a sustained downturn in the macroeconomic environment. Low-income consumers who are no longer able to bear the increased energy and food prices are at risk...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Credit institutions are the most important customers for the services of debt collection agencies and credit agencies. They generate more than half of the industry's turnover...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

In a nationwide comparison, the centre region has the most branches of debt collection companies and credit agencies. The reason for this is the region's large population and...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition within the industry is moderate. There are many smaller companies active on the market that are in direct competition with each other, as there is little room for...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

At Bertelsmann, more than half of the workforce is female. In order to further increase the proportion of women in management, Bertelsmann has initiated various measures.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Verband der Vereine Creditreform e. V.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Schufa Holding AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 5 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Verband der Vereine Creditreform e. V., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Schufa Holding AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 5 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Since taking out a loan requires a credit rating, demand for these industry services generally increases when interest rates are low. In addition, low interest rates make it ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profit margin is relatively high. Many of the industry's activities are automated. This allows personnel costs to be saved, which leads to correspondingly high...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany is €5.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 1,048 businesses in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus market in Germany are Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, Verband der Vereine Creditreform e. V. and Schufa Holding AG

What does the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany include?

Services of credit agencies and Recovery of debts under 10,000 euros are part of the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA.

How competitive is the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Collection Agencies & Credit Bureaus industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Risk & Damage Evaluation in Germany
  • Detective Agencies in Germany
  • Call Centres in Germany

International industries

  • Debt Collection Agencies in the US
  • Credit Bureaus & Rating Agencies in the US
  • Debt Collection Agencies in Canada
  • Debt Collection in Australia
  • Credit Agencies in Australia

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.