Rotterdam, April 13, 2026 – In 2025, 3,497 companies were declared bankrupt in the Netherlands, 15.1% fewer than in 2024 (4,119). This is evident from the Global Bankruptcy Report 2026 from Altares Dun & Bradstreet.
After two years of increase, from 2,081 (2022) to 3,176 (2023) and 4,119 (2024), the number of bankruptcies in 2025 is lower again. However, looking at the longer-term trend, the Netherlands fluctuates around a similar level.
Large differences per country behind the global increase
Worldwide, bankruptcies increased by 7% in 2025 (after +15% in 2024). Behind the global figure lie significant differences between countries. In Western and Central Europe, the number of bankruptcies rose in 15 of the 20 countries, with strong increases in Greece (+48.8%) and Switzerland (+40.5%).
Most bankruptcies in retail
In the Netherlands, bankruptcy pressure varies by sector. In retail, the share remains high in 2025 at 22.4% (2024: 21.9%). The sector continues to be sensitive to, among other things, higher financing and inventory costs and the ongoing shift to online shopping. In business services, the share decreases from 7.1% to 6.4%. Possible causes include more favorable financing conditions and the further adoption of digital and data-driven tools, which support companies’ resilience.
In hospitality, the share increases from 9.9% to 10.9%. Barry de Goeij, Leader Data Science & Trade at Altares Dun & Bradstreet: “It is precisely in sectors such as hospitality that you see how rising costs can have an impact: higher labor costs, energy, and rent put pressure on margins. As those margins shrink, debt servicing, such as interest and repayments, also weighs more heavily, which can increase the risk of bankruptcy.”
In other sectors, the share of bankruptcies remains roughly the same, such as in construction (from 16.1% to 15.1%) and in real estate (from 2.5% to 2.2%).
Outlook 2026: costs remain decisive
“For 2026, Altares Dun & Bradstreet remains cautious in its outlook. The Dutch economy shows clear resilience. Despite geopolitical tensions, a trade war that has led to higher import tariffs, and the recent elections, the impact on the bankruptcy level is not yet visible. Meanwhile, market uncertainty has increased again due to the war in the Middle East and rising gas prices as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. For now, partly due to the current ceasefire, it appears that the impact of this increase on the bankruptcy level in 2026 will remain limited,” says De Goeij.
