The number of bankruptcies increased in 2023 compared to 2022 and was the highest since 1997. The district courts decided to initiate bankruptcies in 8,868 businesses in 2023. The bankruptcies affected 20,712 employees.

Summary

Bankruptcies by industry

Bankruptcies increased in 2023 in all industry groups. In all industry groups except agriculture, forestry and fishing and manufacturing, the number of bankruptcies was the highest since 2009, when the current industry classification standard was introduced in the statistics. The greatest increases were in information and communication, education, health care and personal services and construction. The number of employees affected by bankruptcies also increased in most industries, with the biggest increase in accommodation and restaurant business.

In proportion to the total number of businesses in each industry, accommodation and restaurant business was the industry most affected by bankruptcies. In the industry 2.3 percent of all business went bankrupt in 2023. This measure was also high in construction and retail, with 1.4 percent of businesses in bankruptcy. Looking at the proportion of all employees in an industry affected by industry, the construction and accommodation and restaurant industries were most affected with 1.5 percent and 1.1 percent of all employees affected respectively.

Bankruptcies by County

Bankruptcies increased in all counties except Västernorrland County. In the three urban counties Stockholm County, Västra Götaland County and Skåne county bankruptcies increased by 31 percent, 26 percent and 27 percent respectively. In proportion to the total number of businesses in each county, Södermanland County was most affected by bankruptcies with 0.9 percent of all businesses in bankruptcy in 2023.

The number of employees affected by bankruptcies also increased in the three urban counties: with 43 percent in Stockholm County, 37 percent in Västra Götaland County and 49 percent in Skåne County. Among all counties the increase was greatest in Jämtland County. In proportion to the total number of employees in each county Uppsala County was most affected with 0.7 percent of all employees affected by bankruptcy.

Bankruptcies by Number of Employees

29 percent of bankruptcies were initiated in businesses with at least one employee. The number of bankruptcies in businesses with at least one employee increased by 26 percent compared to 2022. Bankruptcies increased by 27 percent in businesses with no employees.

Bankruptcies by legal form

Most bankruptcies, 92 percent, were initiated in limited companies while 5 percent were among sole traders and 3 percent among other legal forms. Bankruptcies in limited companies increased by 32 percent compared to 2022.

Hearings on compositions without bankruptcies

Hearings on compositions without bankruptcies amounted to 112 businesses with 4,823 employees. The corresponding numbers in 2022 were 146 businesses and 5,827 employees.