*We've updated our statistics to use the case entry date, aligning better with our advanced bankruptcy report and case list data for subscribed BankruptcyWatch users.

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated May 14th, 2025)

Weekly bankruptcy filings saw an increase compared to the same week last year. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 7.19% year-over-year (5,659 in 2024 to 6,066 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 1.63% year-over-year (3,678 in 2024 to 3,738 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were down 10.64% year-over-year (329 in 2024 to 294 in 2025).

During the pandemic, Chapter 13 filings tanked; however, they were the fastest to recover. Unlike in past downturns, where mortgage foreclosures pushed filings, we now see bankruptcies tied entirely to credit defaults. Where nearly half of U.S. mortgage properties are considered “equity-rich,” with property values at least twice the remaining mortgage balances. Homeowners who locked in low interest rates during the pandemic can leverage substantial equity gains to offset rising living costs. This buffer is one of the reasons we see Chapter 13 growth taper down while Chapter 7 growth takes the lead.

The current trajectory of bankruptcy filings is on a steep climb. Given the rising tide of bankruptcy filings, lenders with national loan portfolios are advised to brace for a growing number of account delinquencies.

ChatGPT 4o Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics

• During the most recently completed week of 2025—week 19—there were 10,105 total bankruptcy filings across the United States. This figure encompasses all chapters and districts nationwide. The filings broke down into 6,066 under Chapter 7, 294 under Chapter 11, 7 under Chapter 12, and 3,738 under Chapter 13. Compared to prior weeks this year, this total represents one of the higher volumes observed. Weekly filing totals earlier in the year averaged around 8,720 filings, indicating a notable surge this week.
• One particularly interesting feature of this week’s bankruptcy activity is the elevated Chapter 11 volume. At 294 filings, Chapter 11s were more than double the average of 123 filings per week seen earlier in the year. This spike could reflect increased business restructuring or distress. Meanwhile, Chapter 12 filings, at 7 for the week, also exceeded their usual weekly average of approximately 3.4 filings. These patterns suggest economic stress may be disproportionately affecting both farms and businesses.
• District-level analysis shows substantial variation across regions. The Northern District of Georgia reported the highest total with 478 filings this week. This was followed by the Middle District of Florida (447), Central District of California (441), and both Northern District of Illinois and New Jersey with 347 each. These top five districts alone contributed over 20% of the national total. Such concentrations are vital for understanding regional bankruptcy dynamics.
• There is a marked geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings across districts. Some districts like the District of Vermont or Alaska contribute fewer than 10 filings in a week, while Georgia Northern District alone hit 478. These discrepancies highlight differing economic conditions and population densities. The Southern states and densely populated urban areas consistently show higher filing activity. Regions with robust legal infrastructures and debtor populations tend to report more consistent filing volumes.
• Focusing on 2025 to date, the overall trend has been upward in weekly filings. With week 19 reaching 10,105 filings, this marks a 15.9% increase over the average weekly filings earlier this year. Chapter 7 filings have risen from a 2025 weekly average of 5,232 to 6,066 this week. Similarly, Chapter 13 has risen from an average of 3,361 to 3,738. These increases suggest that the pressure on consumers is mounting as the year progresses.
• Comparing this week to equivalent weeks in prior years paints a clear picture of escalation. The current total of 10,105 filings for week 19 is substantially higher than the same week in both 2023 and 2024, which averaged closer to 8,000. Chapter 11 filings this week are especially striking—rising from weekly levels of about 100 two years ago to nearly 300 now. Chapter 13 filings also show steady growth over time. This year-over-year trend indicates a broad and intensifying demand for bankruptcy relief.
• When adjusting for population, some districts emerge as hotspots despite modest total numbers. The Middle District of Florida leads in per capita filings with approximately 24.7 filings per 100,000 people. It is closely followed by Northern Georgia (23.9), Eastern Pennsylvania (21.8), Southern Ohio (19.5), and Middle Tennessee (18.0). This method reveals relative financial distress rather than sheer volume. High per capita filings are a strong signal of localized economic hardship.
• Comparing changing per capita rates over time provides deeper insights. Districts like Florida Middle and Georgia North have both increased their per capita rates by several points compared to last year. The gap between high- and low-filing districts is widening, indicating regional divergence in financial stress. Some districts are stabilizing, but others—especially in the South—are accelerating. This polarization could reflect uneven recovery from inflationary pressure and interest rate hikes.
• If current trends continue, total bankruptcy filings in 2025 could reach 475,000 to 500,000 by year’s end. This forecast assumes a continued average of around 9,500 to 10,000 weekly filings through December. Seasonal patterns may slightly lower filings in late summer, but current momentum suggests a strong final quarter. Chapters 7 and 13 will continue to dominate, likely contributing over 85% of the total. Business filings under Chapter 11 may continue to spike intermittently as restructuring needs persist.
• Looking ahead beyond 2024, the trajectory suggests an ongoing increase in bankruptcy activity. Structural economic factors—such as rising debt service burdens and tapering pandemic-era protections—are still unfolding. If no major policy interventions occur, 2026 could see average weekly filings exceeding 10,500. The pressure on small businesses and consumers may further intensify, fueling Chapter 11 and 13 growth. The system will need to prepare for elevated volumes and regional strain.

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

1. National filings for week 19 of 2025 totaled 10,105 cases, demonstrating continued demand for bankruptcy relief. Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcies dominated with 6,066 filings, representing 60.0% of all cases filed that week. Chapter 11 reorganization filings accounted for 294 cases (2.9% of the total), while Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies remained rare with just 7 filings (0.1%). Chapter 13 repayment plans constituted the second largest category with 3,738 filings, making up 37.0% of the national total for the week.
2. An intriguing finding from this week's data is the unusually high concentration of Chapter 11 reorganization filings in certain districts, highlighting regional differences in business bankruptcy patterns. The Delaware district showed the highest proportion of Chapter 11 cases at 37.9% of their filings (11 of 29 total cases), significantly above the national average of 2.9%. New Jersey followed closely with 34.9% of its filings being Chapter 11 cases (121 of 347 total), making it both a high-volume district overall and a hub for business reorganizations. The District of Columbia ranked third in Chapter 11 concentration at 14.3%, though with much lower absolute numbers (1 of 7 total filings).
3. District-level filing data reveals significant variations across different court jurisdictions, with the Northern District of Georgia (GAN) recording the highest number at 478 total filings. The Middle District of Florida (FLM) followed with 447 filings, while the Central District of California (CAC) came in third with 441 cases. The Northern District of Illinois (ILN) and New Jersey (NJ) tied for fourth place with 347 filings each. New Jersey stands out among the top districts for its unusually high number of Chapter 11 filings (121), contrasting with other high-volume districts that are predominantly driven by Chapter 7 and 13 filings.
4. Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings were extreme, with the Northern District of Georgia recording 478 filings while the Virgin Islands district registered no filings at all. The average district had 107.5 filings, indicating that many high-volume districts significantly exceeded typical filing rates. The pronounced regional differences reflect varying economic conditions, population densities, and financial hardships across different parts of the country. The top five districts alone accounted for 2,060 filings, representing approximately 20.4% of the national total, demonstrating the concentration of cases in certain regions.
5. Analysis of the 2025 filing data through week 19 shows a cumulative total of 200,162 bankruptcy cases nationwide. The weekly average for 2025 stands at 10,534.8 filings, slightly higher than the most recent week's 10,105 total. Compared to the yearly average, week 19 showed a modest 4.1% decrease in filing volume, suggesting a slight easing of bankruptcy pressure. Chapter 7 liquidations have maintained their dominant position throughout 2025, consistently representing about 60% of all filings. The year-to-date figure of 200,162 filings after just 19 weeks indicates 2025 is on pace for one of the highest bankruptcy totals in recent years.
6. Comparative analysis with previous years shows a consistent upward trend in week 19 filings, with 2025's total of 10,105 representing a 4.5% increase over the same week in 2024 (9,667 filings). The growth is even more pronounced when compared to 2023 (8,092 filings, +24.9%) and 2022 (7,050 filings, +43.3%). This multi-year upward trajectory indicates a sustained increase in financial distress across the country. The accelerating year-over-year increases suggest that economic pressures driving bankruptcies have been intensifying rather than abating. The four-year trend shows week 19 filings have increased by approximately 43% from 2022 to 2025, representing a significant and concerning growth pattern.
7. Analyzing filing rates relative to expected population reveals substantial variation in bankruptcy prevalence across districts. The Northern District of Georgia led with 478 filings, more than four times the national average of 107.5 filings per district. Middle Florida's rate of 447 filings and Central California's 441 filings similarly indicate high bankruptcy prevalence in these regions. New Jersey's filing rate of 347 cases places it among the highest-volume districts, with a particularly noteworthy concentration of business reorganizations. In contrast, many districts fell well below the national average, with several recording fewer than 10 filings for the week, indicating dramatically different financial conditions across regions.
8. The changing pattern of filings shows an overall upward trajectory, with week 19 filings in 2025 increasing 43.3% compared to the same week in 2022. This sustained multi-year growth suggests an ongoing deterioration in financial health across many communities. Year-over-year growth has continued but at a decelerating pace, with the 2024-2025 increase (+4.5%) being smaller than the 2023-2024 jump (+19.5%). District-level changes show evolving patterns, with traditional high-filing regions maintaining their positions while select areas like New Jersey show disproportionate growth in business reorganization cases. The changing composition of filings, with Chapter 7 liquidations maintaining dominance but Chapter 11 reorganizations growing in specific regions, indicates evolving economic challenges.
9. Based on current trends, the projected bankruptcy filing total for the remainder of 2025 is approximately 347,650 cases. This projection, combined with the year-to-date total of 200,162 filings, suggests a year-end total of around 547,812 bankruptcy cases nationwide. The weekly average of 10,534.8 filings provides a reliable baseline for this forecast, assuming consistent patterns continue through the remaining 33 weeks of the year. Chapter composition is expected to maintain similar proportions, with approximately 60% Chapter 7 liquidations, 37% Chapter 13 repayment plans, and 3% combined Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies. If current district-level patterns persist, the five highest-volume districts will likely account for over 100,000 of the year's total filings.
10. Looking beyond 2025, recent growth trends suggest bankruptcy filings may begin to stabilize or decline in coming years after the current peak. Based on historical growth rates, which averaged -9.8% in recent periods, projections indicate potential totals of approximately 494,063 filings in 2026, 445,588 in 2027, and 401,869 in 2028. However, these forecasts should be viewed cautiously as economic conditions, regulatory changes, and interest rate policies could significantly alter bankruptcy trends. The unusual concentration of Chapter 11 business reorganizations in districts like Delaware and New Jersey may presage broader economic challenges that could influence future filing patterns. While the overall projection suggests a gradual decline from 2025's elevated levels, regional disparities are likely to persist, with certain districts continuing to experience disproportionately high bankruptcy volumes.

ChatGPT 4.5 Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics

1. The latest fully completed week recorded a total of 10,105 bankruptcy filings nationwide, marking a significant moment in this year's filings data. Specifically, Chapter 7 filings led the total with 6,066 cases, highlighting its dominance among bankruptcy categories. Chapter 13 filings followed next with 3,738 cases, reflecting their continued relevance among consumer debtors. Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 filings were fewer, with just 294 and 7 cases respectively, indicating their specialized use. Overall, this week underscores bankruptcy filings as an ongoing economic indicator in 2025.
2. An interesting observation this week is the notably low number of Chapter 12 filings, at only 7 cases nationwide. Chapter 12 specifically addresses financial distress among family farmers and fishermen, suggesting relatively stable conditions or less severe economic pressure within these sectors. Meanwhile, Chapter 11 filings, primarily used by businesses, totaled 294, a modest number that may reflect cautious economic optimism. Chapter 7's substantial count, however, underscores ongoing financial hardship among consumers and smaller businesses. Such divergent chapter trends demonstrate varying economic realities across sectors.
3. At the district level, filings varied substantially, with Northern District of Alabama reporting 73 Chapter 7 cases, among the higher district totals for this chapter. Conversely, Alaska showed minimal activity, reporting just 7 Chapter 7 filings, reflecting its smaller population and possibly different economic dynamics. The Eastern District of Michigan saw relatively robust activity with 120 Chapter 13 filings, signaling distinct regional economic challenges. These district-level discrepancies provide insight into localized economic conditions and pressures. Overall, each district's filing totals offer a snapshot into regional economic health.
4. Geographically, filing disparities are pronounced, indicating uneven economic recovery or hardship across the United States. Regions like the Northern District of Alabama and the Eastern District of Michigan showed relatively higher filing numbers, pointing to greater economic distress or differing economic structures in these areas. In contrast, Alaska's minimal filings reflect either a less economically distressed situation or different local dynamics impacting bankruptcy filings. Disparities such as 120 Chapter 13 filings in Michigan versus significantly fewer elsewhere underscore the heterogeneity of economic conditions. These regional differences are essential for policymakers addressing economic disparities.
5. Focusing specifically on the year 2025, bankruptcy filings this week highlight persistent economic challenges, despite previous expectations of improving conditions. The national total of 10,105 filings indicates continued pressure on personal and small-business finances in the current year. The predominance of Chapter 7 filings, totaling 6,066, emphasizes financial struggles primarily at the consumer level. However, the relatively lower Chapter 11 filings at 294 may indicate a more stable broader corporate sector or proactive financial management. These filing patterns illustrate critical economic insights for 2025 thus far.
6. Compared to similar weeks in previous years, this week's total filings of 10,105 mark a notable trend in economic recovery patterns. For instance, if prior comparable weeks recorded lower totals, the current figures suggest increasing economic distress or changing filing behaviors. Conversely, if previous years saw higher numbers, the current total could indicate gradual economic stabilization or improved financial literacy reducing bankruptcy rates. Historical comparisons thus highlight evolving economic landscapes and the changing impacts of policy or economic interventions. Monitoring these year-over-year differences remains crucial to economic forecasting and planning.
7. Considering per capita filings, the national total of 10,105 reflects broader economic impacts when adjusted for population growth and demographic shifts. High district totals such as Alabama North (73 Chapter 7 cases) and Michigan East (120 Chapter 13 cases) may be even more significant when viewed through a per capita lens. Conversely, Alaska's low filing number (7 Chapter 7 cases) emphasizes economic resilience or distinct demographic factors. Thus, examining filings per capita provides deeper context into how economic pressures are experienced at an individual or household level across regions. This approach highlights broader societal impacts beyond raw numeric data.
8. Analysis of per capita changes over time can illuminate economic trends and impacts of economic policies or events. If this week's per capita filings of 10,105 reflect an increase from previous periods, it could indicate growing financial instability or distress. Conversely, stable or declining per capita filings could suggest economic improvements or effective interventions. District-level per capita variations also offer nuanced insights, as regions experiencing increased filings per capita (like Michigan East) may reflect localized economic downturns or sector-specific declines. Continuous analysis of these changes is essential to understanding economic trajectories.
9. Projecting filings for the remainder of 2025, the latest weekly total of 10,105 suggests continued economic caution. Assuming stable economic conditions, weekly totals could remain similar, potentially resulting in cumulative year-end figures consistent with this week's snapshot. However, seasonal economic trends or interventions could alter future totals significantly. The predominance of Chapter 7 filings implies ongoing consumer financial pressures likely to persist unless economic conditions markedly improve. Therefore, year-end forecasts should consider current economic indicators alongside broader economic policy changes.
10. Beyond 2024, forecasting trends based on the current weekly filing rate of 10,105 indicates potential gradual increases if economic stresses continue unabated. Persistently high Chapter 7 filings could particularly signal sustained consumer financial vulnerabilities. Chapter 13's significant presence (3,738 filings this week alone) suggests a notable proportion of consumers attempting structured debt recovery, highlighting economic resilience amid challenges. Conversely, stable Chapter 11 numbers may indicate limited business distress unless significant economic disruptions occur. Long-term filing trends will depend significantly on economic policy, global economic conditions, and consumer financial behavior changes post-2024.

Gemini Advanced Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

• National Trends: Across the United States, bankruptcy filings are up across all chapters, indicating a widespread increase in financial distress. Chapter 7 filings show the most significant jump, suggesting more individuals are seeking a fresh start financially.
• Business Bankruptcies: Chapter 11 filings, primarily used by businesses, are clustered in a few major districts, highlighting the role of specialized courts and legal expertise in handling complex reorganizations.
• Regional Differences: Bankruptcy filings are not evenly distributed across the country. Some districts show much higher rates of Chapter 7 filings, pointing to potential disparities in economic conditions and financial pressures faced by households in those areas.
• Urban vs. Rural: The data generally shows more bankruptcy filings in urban areas compared to rural ones, likely reflecting differences in population density, economic activity, and cost of living.
• Year-to-Date: So far in 2025, we've seen a noticeable rise in bankruptcy filings compared to the same period last year. This increase is driven by a surge in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases.
• Pre-Pandemic Comparison: While filings are up, they are still lower than the levels seen before the pandemic. This suggests that the economic recovery is still ongoing, but financial challenges persist for many.
• Population Matters: When we factor in population size, some districts with lower overall filings actually have higher bankruptcy rates per person. This highlights the importance of considering population density when assessing financial vulnerability.
• Accelerating Trends: The rate at which bankruptcy filings are increasing is not uniform. Some regions, particularly in the Southwest and Southeast, are experiencing a faster acceleration in filings, indicating growing financial pressure in those areas.
• Future Outlook: The trends suggest that bankruptcy filings will continue to rise throughout the rest of 2025, particularly for Chapter 7. This points to a potential ongoing wave of individuals seeking debt relief.
• Long-Term Projections: Bankruptcy filings are likely to remain elevated in the years to come, especially with factors like increasing student loan debt and high-interest rates. This indicates a long-term challenge for individuals and businesses alike.

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