More bankruptcies in May

© Hollandse Hoogte / Peter Hilz
The number of corporate bankruptcies, adjusted for court session days, has increased. There were 71 more bankruptcies in May than in the previous month, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). However, the number of pronounced bankruptcies is still low compared to the period before the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
2018June286
2018July280
2018August306
2018September275
2018October292
2018November314
2018December364
2019January346
2019February322
2019March323
2019April328
2019May312
2019June302
2019July316
2019August306
2019September316
2019October292
2019November338
2019December291
2020January317
2020February344
2020March294
2020April384
2020May322
2020June262
2020July238
2020August203
2020September218
2020October196
2020November217
2020December182
2021January171
2021February147
2021March172
2021April156
2021May164
2021June144
2021July128
2021August113
2021September143
2021October128
2021November189
2021December163
2022January138
2022February183
2022March164
2022April118
2022May189

Number of bankruptcies low

The number of corporate bankruptcies, adjusted for court session days, fluctuates significantly. Ups and downs alternate in rapid succession. The number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013 (911); it subsequently declined continuously until August 2017 inclusive, after which it remained fairly stable until mid-2020. It then followed a downward trend again, reaching its lowest level since the start of the time series (January 1981) in August 2021. Although the number of bankruptcies was up in May 2022 compared to the previous month, it was still low compared to the period before the outbreak of coronavirus.

Most bankruptcies recorded in trade

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, in May a total of 210 businesses and institutions were declared bankrupt. The trade sector suffered most with 43 bankruptcies; this is 19 more compared to April.

The trade sector is one of the sectors with the largest number of businesses. In May, relatively the highest number of bankruptcies was pronounced in the transportation and storage sector.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorMay 2022April 2022
Trade4324
Construction3518
Specialised business services289
Manufacturing1911
Financial services1810
Transportation and storage158
Renting and other business services156
Care115
Accommodation and food services75
Information and communication61
Arts, sports and recreation60
Other service activities32
Real estate activities23
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries11
Education11

Note: The numbers of bankruptcies corrected for court session days have been adjusted for the months January to April 2022 inclusive. Previously, seasonally adjusted figures were erroneously published instead of session day adjusted figures.

From 13 May 2022 onwards, this news release by CBS reports on bankruptcies of all businesses and institutions including sole proprietorships. Previously, bankruptcies were published excluding sole proprietorships.

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