Q4 2021: Business registrations up in the EU, bankruptcies down (Eurostat figures)

In the fourth quarter of 2021, registrations of new businesses in the EU increased by 1.6% compared with the previous quarter. On the other hand, declared bankruptcies decreased by 0.7% (figures by Eurostat)

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the number of registrations of businesses was 6% higher than in the same period in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 crisis, while the number of declarations of bankruptcies decreased by 23% over the same period.

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, there were considerably more registrations of businesses than before the COVID-crisis in information and communication and transport. On the other hand, in accommodation and food services, significantly fewer businesses were registered than in 2019 and before.

Fewer bankruptcy declarations

Furthermore, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, there were fewer bankruptcy declarations in all sectors of the economy than in the same quarter of 2019. The largest decreases were recorded in information and communication, industry and trade.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the seasonally adjusted registrations of businesses increased by 1.6 % in the EU and by 1.2 % in the euro area, compared with the third quarter of 2021.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the seasonally adjusted declarations of bankruptcies decreased by 0.7 % in the EU and by 1.6 % in the euro area, compared with the third quarter of 2021.