Number of bankruptcies marginally down

In April this year, 682 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, a decrease by 28 from March.

The largest numbers of bankruptcies were recorded in the sectors construction and trade. Although, compared to March, bankruptcies declined in both sectors - in particular in the construction sector - the numbers were still very high in April.

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 717 in April, as against 734 in March. In March, the three-month moving average had reached its highest level since the beginning of the time series in 1981.

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

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.

For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.