Germany, the powerhouse of the Eurozone, is grappling with a significant wave of insolvencies. Years of zero-interest-rate policies have fostered a fragile economy that buckles under even minor interest rate hikes. Compounding this are stringent regulations, the political battle against conventional energy sources driving up energy costs for businesses, high tax rates, and a generally investment-unfriendly environment. Here are the latest figures:
The number of insolvency filings in Germany rose by 6.3% in June compared to the same month last year, according to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This follows a 25.9% increase in May. From June 2023 to May 2024, double-digit growth rates were observed, with June 2024 marking the first single-digit rise.
In April, the courts reported 1,906 corporate insolvency filings, up 33.5% from April of the previous year. Creditors' claims from these insolvencies amounted to approximately €11.4 billion, a sharp increase from €1.3 billion the previous year.