Number of bankruptcies exceptionally high

In July, 725 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) in the Netherlands were declared bankrupt, an exceptionally high number on a monthly basis. The number of bankruptcies has soared in the first seven months of 2012: 4,475 businesses and institutions went bankrupt, nearly 30 percent more than in the first seven months of 2011.

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-month moving average is a more reliable indicator. The three-month moving average stood at 667 in July, the highest number recorded in decades.

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

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.