Quarterly trend in bankruptcies since 2019; Credit: STATEC/Infogram

According to the latest figures from Luxembourg's Ministry of Justice and STATEC, 236 companies were declared bankrupt and 24 were wound up during the third quarter of 2026.

Bankruptcies

The number of bankruptcies rose by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 (236 versus 230 rulings). However, over the first nine months of 2026, bankruptcies fell by 2.1% compared with the same period in 2025 (790 versus 807 rulings). Excluding holding companies and investment funds, the number of bankruptcies remained broadly stable (-0.3%).

According to initial estimates, bankruptcies resulted in the potential loss of 1,943 salaried jobs during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 2,256 over the same period in 2025.

Holding companies and investment funds accounted for the highest number of bankruptcies (194).

The retail sector recorded 135 bankruptcies during the first nine months of 2026, eleven more than in the same period in 2025. Job losses in the sector are estimated at 224, down 24% year-on-year.

The construction sector registered 124 bankruptcies, an increase of 9% compared with the same period in 2025. Estimated job losses rose by 14% to 656, accounting for approximately one-third of the total potential job losses linked to bankruptcies during this period.

The hospitality sector (Horeca) recorded 77 bankruptcies, ten fewer than in the same period in 2025. However, estimated job losses rose by 17% to around 416.

Liquidations

A total of 24 companies were wound up during the third quarter of 2026.

STATEC noted that the data are based on court decisions recorded in the Commercial Register, with the most recent figures dating from Monday 12 October 2026. The statistics were published in the STATEC "Bankruptcies and Liquidations" dashboard on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

The number of bankruptcies is calculated as the sum of "new cases" or "re-openings", minus bankruptcies reported under the judicial procedure "judgements and orders declaring bankruptcy". These figures are provisional.