German company insolvencies in Q1 2026 exceed 2009 financial crisis levels

welt.de (German)

German company insolvencies in Q1 2026 reached their highest point since 2005, surpassing levels seen during the 2009 financial crisis. The Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (IWH) reported 4573 insolvencies in the first three months, with a significant 17% surge in March alone. This increase is attributed to a rise in bankruptcies of smaller businesses. Despite the high number of company failures, the impact on employment has been moderate, with job losses concentrated in smaller firms. The IWH forecasts continued high insolvency rates for the second quarter of 2026.


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German company insolvencies in Q1 2026 exceed 2009 financial crisis levels | News Minimalist