German Company Bankruptcies Reach 14-Year High

Germany is experiencing a significant surge in corporate bankruptcies, reaching a level not seen in 14 years. In April 2026 alone, 2,276 companies officially declared their insolvency to local courts. This figure represents a 7.1% increase compared to April of the previous year, signaling a worrying trend for the German economy.

The Federal Statistical Office reported these figures, noting that this is "another sad record." The total claims from creditors in these 8,551 cases amounted to approximately 13.9 billion euros. This amount is notably lower than the 22.5 billion euros reported in the same period last year. The decline in total claims is attributed to a shift in the types of companies filing for bankruptcy; fewer large corporations sought insolvency in the first four months of 2025.

Data from the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH) indicates that for sole proprietorships and corporations, the insolvency rate is at its highest in over two decades. In the first half of the year, 4,996 insolvencies were recorded, the highest since the second quarter of 2005. The institute highlighted that numerous sectors and regions are being affected simultaneously.

Sectors most heavily impacted include transport and logistics, with 43.9 cases per 10,000 companies, followed by the hospitality and construction industries. It is important to note that the official statistics reflect insolvency filings after the court's initial decision, meaning the actual application date is often nearly three months prior.

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another sad record