Dutch business bankruptcies fell 11% in July: read the sector gap

Do not read “11% fewer than a year earlier” as evidence that every Dutch sector is improving at the same pace. CBS reported on 12 August that 266 businesses were declared bankrupt in July 2026, 33 fewer than in July 2025 and 36 fewer than in June. After adjustment for court hearing days, the total comprised 229 companies and institutions and 37 sole proprietors. The bankruptcy rate was 7.1 per 100,000 businesses, down from 8.1 a year earlier, but exposure differed sharply by sector: industry stood at 25.0, transport and storage at 20.2, hospitality at 17.9 and construction at 14.9. For a freelancer or small firm, the useful question is not whether the national figure feels reassuring; check whether customers are concentrated in one sector, overdue invoices are growing, cash covers the next three months and contracts state clear payment terms. Sector rates are not adjusted for hearing days, and the newest monthly figures may still be revised.

• There were 266 business bankruptcies in July, 33 fewer than a year earlier and 36 fewer than in June.
• After hearing-day adjustment, the count was 229 companies and institutions plus 37 sole proprietors.
• The rate was 7.1 per 100,000 businesses; industry and transport/storage remained relatively exposed.
• Sector figures are unadjusted for hearing days and recent months can be revised, so compare like with like.

Hokimi field note: Put customer concentration, overdue invoices, three months of cash needs and key payment terms on one page before deciding how much this national figure matters to your business. Information last checked on 12 August 2026: source 1 · source 2.