The highest number of reported insolvency proceedings in 2025 was in the "Trade and Maintenance and Repair of Motor Vehicles" sector. (Photo: © so47/123RF.com)
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March 2026
In 2025, 15 percent more corporate insolvencies were filed in North Rhine-Westphalia compared to the previous year. However, the number of affected employees was significantly lower.
In 2025, the local courts in North Rhine-Westphalia reported 6.502 applications for corporate insolvencies. According to the State Statistical Office This was 15,3 percent more than in 2024, when there were 5.640 reported corporate insolvencies. However, the number of affected employees in 2025, at 37.135, was 33,1 percent lower than the previous year, when 55.534 employees were affected.
The total amount of claims in corporate insolvencies amounted to €8,3 billion last year. This was 38,8 percent lower than the previous year, when the total amount of claims was €13,6 billion.
Operations management
Mobility
Operations management
The highest number of reported insolvency proceedings in 2025, with 1.189 cases, was in the "Trade and Maintenance and Repair of Motor Vehicles" sector, the majority of which were in the retail trade (615 cases). This represented an increase of 28,5 percent compared to the previous year. The "Construction" sector followed with 1.164 cases, and the "Hospitality" sector with 701 cases.
| economic sector | Bankruptcies in 2024 | Bankruptcies in 2025 | Percent change |
| Construction | 1.031 | 1.164 | plus 12,9 |
| Trade and maintenance and repair of motor vehicles | 925 | 1.189 | plus 28,5 |
| Hospitality | 548 | 701 | plus 27,9 |
| Freelance, academic and technical services | 587 | 654 | plus 11,4 |
| Other business services | 589 | 679 | plus 15,3 |
Source: IT.NRW
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