German corporate bankruptcies rise as government lifts growth forecast

Germany recorded a 13% annual rise in corporate bankruptcies in September while the government raised its 2026 growth forecast.

• The Leibniz Institute for Economic Research in Halle recorded 1,666 corporate bankruptcies in September, up 9% from August and 13% year on year.
• The institute registered 4,880 bankruptcies in the third quarter, down 2.3% from the previous quarter, with affected jobs falling 10% to about 41,000.
• Research director Steffen Müller said bankruptcies remain at high levels but predicted a decline in the final quarter.
• The German government raised its 2026 growth forecast to 1.3% from 0.5%, with Economy Minister Katharina Reich projecting 1.1% growth in 2027.