More bankruptcies in February

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© Hollandse Hoogte / Peter Hilz
The number of corporate bankruptcies, adjusted for court session days, has increased. There were 41 more bankruptcies in February than in the previous month, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). However, the number of pronounced bankruptcies is low compared to the period before the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
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
2021January144
2021February115
2021March147
2021April127
2021May133
2021June123
2021July110
2021August100
2021September119
2021October110
2021November169
2021December140
2022January109
2022February150

Low number of bankruptcies

The number of corporate bankruptcies (excluding sole proprietorships), adjusted for court session days, fluctuates significantly. Ups and downs alternate in rapid succession. The number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013 (816); it subsequently declined continuously until August 2017 inclusive and then became fairly stable up until mid-2020. The trend has been downward again since then. In August 2021, the number of bankruptcies (on a monthly basis) reached its lowest level since January 1991. The number of pronounced bankruptcies was also low in the months that followed compared to the period before the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

Most bankruptcies recorded in trade

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, 149 businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) were declared bankrupt in February. With a total of 27, the trade sector suffered most. This is 5 more compared to December.

Trade is a sector with one of the largest numbers of businesses. In February, the number of bankruptcies was relatively highest in the transportation and storage sector.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorFebruary 2022January 2022
Trade2722
Construction218
Care198
Specialised business services1517
Financial services139
Transportation and storage104
Renting and other business services914
Manufacturing85
Real estate activities83
Accommodation and food services76
Other service activities42
Information and communication38
Education21
Arts, sports and recreation21
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries12

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