More bankruptcies in March

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© Hollandse Hoogte / Bert Verhoeff
The number of corporate bankruptcies, adjusted for court session days, has increased. There were 30 more bankruptcies in March than in the previous month, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). However, the number of pronounced bankruptcies in March was still at a low level.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
2017April263
2017May281
2017June300
2017July266
2017August231
2017September237
2017October261
2017November251
2017December269
2018January273
2018February232
2018March266
2018April266
2018May259
2018June248
2018July251
2018August257
2018September224
2018October264
2018November277
2018December328
2019January286
2019February254
2019March277
2019April281
2019May264
2019June271
2019July274
2019August261
2019September257
2019October253
2019November288
2019December243
2020January270
2020February273
2020March261
2020April338
2020May267
2020June233
2020July207
2020August177
2020September186
2020October172
2020November180
2020December139
2021January142
2021February114
2021March144

Number of bankruptcies at low level

The number of corporate bankruptcies (excluding sole proprietorships), adjusted for court session days, is seen to fluctuate significantly. Ups and downs alternate in rapid succession. The number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013 (816). The number then decreased up to and including August 2017. Subsequently, the trend remained fairly flat until mid-2020. Since then, the trend has been downwards. In February 2021, the number of bankruptcies (on a monthly basis) reached its lowest level since January 1991. In March, the number of bankruptcies increased, but still remained at a very low level.

Most bankruptcies recorded in trade

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, 163 businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) were declared bankrupt in March 2021. With a total of 31 (11 more than in February), the trade sector suffered most.

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

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorMarch 2021February 2021
Trade3120
Specialised business services2614
Financial services2516
Construction1813
Transportation and storage126
Renting and other business services1111
Accommodation and food services108
Information and communication83
Care74
Manufacturing34
Arts, sports and recreation33
Other service activities21
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries11
Real estate activities12
Education00

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