In 2019 slightly more bankruptcies than in 2018

Trend fairly stable in recent years

Adjusted for court session days, the number of bankruptcies peaked in May 2013. This was followed by a downward trend until September 2017. The subsequent trend has been relatively stable. The number of bankruptcies reached the lowest level of this century in September 2018, after which ups and downs alternated.

Number of bankruptcies in 2019 up by 2 percent year-on-year

Over the entire year 2019, a total of 3,208 bankruptcies were pronounced. This represents a year-on-year increase of 2 percent.

The number of bankruptcies peaked in 2013 at 8,376 and subsequently dropped for five consecutive years, by altogether over 62 percent, in line with economic growth in the Netherlands. In 2019, the number of bankruptcies increased slightly for the first time since 2014. Despite the rise, the number of bankruptcies is still relatively low. The number of bankruptcies in 2019 is the second lowest of this century.

Sharpest increase in the specialised business services sector

In absolute terms, the increase was most pronounced in specialised business services (including research and consulting firms); the total in that sector increased by 79, from 317 in 2018 to 396 in 2019. In relative terms as well, the increase was sharpest in specialised business services (25 percent). Furthermore, the number of bankruptcies rose year-on-year in the sectors trade, rentals and other business services, care and real estate activities. On the other hand, there was a decrease in the number of bankruptcies in 7 of the 13 sectors.

Just as in previous years, most bankruptcies were pronounced in the trade sector (730) in 2019. The number of bankruptcies in this sector rose by 43 year-on-year. Trade is among the sectors with the highest number of businesses.