Number of bankruptcies drops considerably

In September this year, 450 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt, a decrease by 60 relative to August. The number of bankruptcies was more than 180 down on September 2009.

Altogether, 4,735 bankruptcies were filed in the first nine months of 2010. Although nearly 600 fewer than in the same period in 2009, the number is still significantly higher than in prior years.

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 considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-monthly moving average is a more reliable indicator.

The three-monthly moving average stood at 489 in September, i.e. more than 70 down on August and the lowest level of the past eighteen months.

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