Bankruptcy rate low

In January 2008, more than 280 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) went bankrupt in the Netherlands, an increase of about 50 compared to December 2007, but a reduction of 100 compared to January 2007.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary strongly from month to month. Therefore, the three-monthly moving average is a more reliable indicator.

The three-monthly moving average decreased for the third month in a row and stood at 270 in January, reaching its lowest level since mid-2001.

In 2007, nearly 3,600 businesses and institutions were declared bankrupt, a decrease by more than 600 relative to 2006. More than 40 percent of the decrease involved financial institutions and business service providers.

Bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses)