More bankruptcies in September

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© CBS / Nikki van Toorn
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that, adjusted for the number of court session days, there were 25 more bankruptcies in September 2023 than in the previous month; an increase of 9 percent. The trend in the number of bankruptcies has been upward for over a year. Over 60 percent more businesses were declared bankrupt in the first three quarters of 2023 than in the same period of 2022.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) adjusted for court sessions days
YearWeekNumber of bankruptcies
2019October290
2019November342
2019December297
2020January311
2020February333
2020March280
2020April382
2020May406
2020June257
2020July227
2020August195
2020September212
2020October190
2020November210
2020December174
2021January172
2021February143
2021March165
2021April193
2021May163
2021June139
2021July125
2021August109
2021September141
2021October126
2021November183
2021December159
2022January139
2022February182
2022March166
2022April119
2022May189
2022June164
2022July148
2022August148
2022September174
2022October219
2022November228
2022December269
2023January228
2023February277
2023March212
2023April239
2023May255
2023June302
2023July257
2023August269
2023September294

Number of bankruptcies rising

The number of corporate bankruptcies (adjusted for court session days) fluctuates significantly, with rapidly alternating ups and downs. The number peaked in May 2013 (911); it subsequently declined continuously until August 2017 inclusive, after which it remained fairly stable until mid-2020. It then followed a downward trend again, reaching a record low of 109 in August 2021. As of May 2022, the number of bankruptcies has continuously been higher than in the same month one year previously.

Most bankruptcies recorded in specialised business services

If the number of court session days is not taken into account, in September a total of 278 businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) were declared bankrupt. The specialised business services sector (including research and consulting firms) suffered most with 50 bankruptcies; 26 more than in August.

In September, relatively the largest number of bankruptcies was pronounced in the sector transportation and storage.

Number of bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (including sole proprietorships) by sector
SectorSeptember 2023August 2023
Specialised business services5024
Trade4486
Construction3052
Financial services2820
Accommodation and food services2519
Manufacturing2225
Transportation and storage2222
Renting and other business services1420
Information and communication1014
Care103
Arts, sports and recreation72
Other service activities78
Real estate activities46
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries22
Education15