(Finance) – According to data published by Eurostat in the fourth quarter of 2023, the number of bankruptcy declarations of EU businesses increased slightly by 0.6% compared to the previous quarter. The number of bankruptcy filings at the end of 2023 was higher than pre-pandemic levels recorded between 2016 and 2019. For the fourth consecutive quarter, the recordings of businesses increased, albeit slightly (0.1% increase in the last quarter of 2023). Overall, the number of business registrations in the last three quarters of 2023 was higher than that of 2015-2022.
Although the overall number of registrations remains stable, registrations are taking place differences (increasing or decreasing) between sectors of the economy. Looking specifically at business registrations by activity, compared to the previous quarter, in the fourth quarter of 2023, registrations recorded the highest increases in the sectors: transport and warehousing (+5.6%), building (+3.6%) e accommodation and catering services (+3.5%). The largest decreases concerned information and communication (-2.1%), the activity financial, insurance And real estate (-1.5%) and the trade (-0.9%).
The overall number of bankruptcy filings has increased, while differences (increases and decreases) are observed between sectors of the economy. Specifically considering failures for activity, compared to the previous quarter, in the fourth quarter of 2023, bankruptcies increased most in the transportation and warehousing sector (+9.3%), followed by trade (+7.7%) and accommodation and food services. (+1.1%). The largest decreases concerned information and communication (-15.0%), industry (-7.4%) and education, healthcare and social activities (-5.4%).