Marginally more bankruptcies in November

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© CBS / Nikki van Toorn
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that, adjusted for the number of court session days, there were 7 more bankruptcies in November 2023 than one month previously; an increase of 2 percent. There has been an upward trend in the number of bankruptcies for over a year. Approximately 56 percent more businesses were declared bankrupt in the first 11 months of 2023 relative to the same period one year previously.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
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
2023November299

Number of bankruptcies rising

The number of corporate bankruptcies (adjusted for court session days) fluctuates substantially, 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 November a total of 287 businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) were declared bankrupt. The trade sector suffered most with 56 bankruptcies; 11 percent less than in October.

Trade is among the sectors with the largest number of businesses. In November, relatively the largest number of bankruptcies were declared in the transportation and storage sectors.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorNovember 2023October 2023
Trade5663
Construction5362
Specialised business services2938
Financial services2538
Transportation and storage2119
Manufacturing1629
Accommodation and food services1625
Renting and other business services1511
Information and communication149
Care128
Real estate activities86
Arts, sports and recreation78
Education55
Other service activities58
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries21