Corporate bankruptcies rise in Germany, with one company failing every 20 minutes
Germany recorded 24,064 corporate bankruptcies in 2025, marking a 10.3% increase compared with 2024. On average, one company declared insolvency every 20 minutes throughout the year.
The data was reported by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
Sharp increase at the end of the year
According to the organisation, the most significant rise in insolvencies occurred in December 2025, when the number of bankruptcies increased by nearly 14% year-on-year.
Analysts attribute the trend to several economic pressures, including:
● rising energy prices
● disruptions in global supply chains
● geopolitical instability, particularly conflicts in the Middle East
The sectors most affected include transport, warehousing, hospitality, and construction.
Consumer insolvencies also increase
Consumer insolvencies in Germany also rose during the same period. In 2025, authorities recorded 77,219 consumer bankruptcy cases, representing an 8.4% increase compared with the previous year.
Experts say the future trajectory will depend largely on energy price stabilization, improvements in supply chains, and reduced geopolitical tensions.
