The number of corporate insolvencies in Germany surged in the second quarter of 2026 to levels not seen in more than 20 years, according to new data from the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH).
In the April-to-June period, there were 4,996 insolvencies of partnerships and corporations.
This represents a 9 per cent increase on the first quarter and the highest figure since the second quarter of 2005.
June alone saw 1,702 corporate bankruptcies, 12 per cent more than in May and 20 per cent higher than June 2025.
The rise has affected nearly all major sectors, including construction, real estate, retail, hospitality, and services.
One of the few exceptions was the manufacturing sector, though overall numbers…