Marginally fewer bankruptcies in October

More recent figures are available on this topic. View the latest figures here.
© CBS / Nikki van Toorn
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that, adjusted for the number of court session days, there were 4 fewer bankruptcies in October 2023 than in the previous month; an decrease of 1 percent. However, the trend in the number of bankruptcies has been upward for over a year. Approximately 60 percent more businesses were declared bankrupt in the first 10 months of 2023 than in the same period one year previously.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
2019November342
2019December297
2020January311
2020February333
2020March280
2020April382
2020May406
2020June257
2020July227
2020August195
2020September212
2020October190
2020November210
2020December174
2021January172
2021February143
2021March165
2021April193
2021May163
2021June139
2021July125
2021August109
2021September141
2021October126
2021November183
2021December159
2022January139
2022February182
2022March166
2022April119
2022May189
2022June164
2022July148
2022August148
2022September174
2022October219
2022November228
2022December269
2023January228
2023February277
2023March212
2023April239
2023May255
2023June302
2023July257
2023August268
2023September296
2023October292

Number of bankruptcies rising

The number of corporate bankruptcies (adjusted for court session days) fluctuates significantly, with rapidly alternating ups and downs. The number 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 a record low of 109 in August 2021. As of May 2022, the number of bankruptcies has continuously been higher than in the same month one year previously.

Most bankruptcies recorded in trade

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, in October a total of 332 businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) were declared bankrupt. The trade sector suffered most with 63 bankruptcies; 43 percent more than in September.

The trade sector is one of the sectors with the largest number of businesses. In October, relatively the largest number of bankruptcies was pronounced in manufacturing.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorOctober 2023September 2023
Trade6344
Construction6230
Financial services3828
Specialised business services3850
Manufacturing2922
Accommodation and food services2525
Transportation and storage1922
Renting and other business services1114
Information and communication910
Care810
Arts, sports and recreation87
Other service activities88
Real estate activities65
Education51
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries12