More bankruptcies in January

More recent figures are available on this topic. View the latest figures here.
© CBS / Nikki van Toorn
The number of corporate bankruptcies has increased, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). There were 28 more bankruptcies in January 2020 than in the previous month. The trend has been relatively stable in recent years.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses), adjusted for court sessions days
YearMonthNumber of bankruptcies
2016February483
2016March394
2016April385
2016May343
2016June384
2016July371
2016August287
2016September299
2016October303
2016November417
2016December332
2017January336
2017February292
2017March304
2017April263
2017May281
2017June300
2017July266
2017August231
2017September237
2017October261
2017November251
2017December269
2018January273
2018February232
2018March266
2018April266
2018May259
2018June248
2018July251
2018August257
2018September224
2018October264
2018November277
2018December328
2019January283
2019February251
2019March274
2019April278
2019May261
2019June268
2019July271
2019August258
2019September254
2019October250
2019November285
2019December240
2020January268

Trend fairly stable in recent years

Adjusted for court session days, the number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013. This was followed by a downward trend until September 2017. Subsequently, the trend has been relatively stable. The number of bankruptcies reached the lowest level of this century in September 2018, after which ups and downs alternated.

Most bankruptcies recorded in trade sector

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, 254 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt in January 2020. With a total of 59, the trade sector suffered most. 

Trade is among the sectors with the highest number of businesses. In January, the number of bankruptcies was relatively highest in the sector transport and storage.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) by sector, January 2020
 Number
Trade59
Specialised business services31
Financial services28
Renting, other business services24
Construction22
Transport, storage17
Manufacturing14
Accommodation and food services14
Information & communication12
Care7
Culture, sports, recreation3
Real estate activities2
Agriculture2

Figures published in this news release are provisional and subject to revision.