Businesses insolvencies outpace registrations in the second quarter of 2026

Brussels – In the second quarter of 2026, business registrations in the EU fell by 0.5 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2026, while insolvencies rose by 5.7 per cent, according to Eurostat figures released today (17 August). Between April and June, the manufacturing sector recorded the sharpest decline in new business start-ups (-3.6 per cent), followed by accommodation and food services (-3.4 per cent), and education and social services (-3.2 per cent). Conversely, the European Statistical Institute data show that the number of business registrations rose significantly in the information and communication sector (+8.8 per cent) and in the construction sector (+1 per cent), while financial services remained stable. 

As regards bankruptcies, in the second quarter the largest increases were recorded in the education and social work sectors (+21.1 per cent), transport (+11.4 per cent), and financial services (+6.8 per cent). Decreases were recorded in the accommodation and food services sector (-2.6 per cent), the construction sector (-1.7 per cent) and the trade sector (-1.2 per cent).