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Year-Over-Year National Bankruptcy Filings

Chapter 7 Statistics

Chapter 13 Statistics

Chapter 11 Statistics

Chapter 12 Statistics

Weekly District Filings

*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 October 6th, 2025)

National bankruptcy filings have continued to rise through Week 40 of 2025. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 22.58% year-over-year (6,593 in 2024 to 8,082 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 17.66% year-over-year (4,212 in 2024 to 4,956 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 93.15% year-over-year (146 in 2024 to 282 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. 

Want to know about the news articles that caught our eye this week? Start here.

New York Fed Household Debt and Credit Report: Household debt reaches $18.39 trillion in the second quarter.

Car Repossessions Approaching Record High: A near-record number of cars are being repossessed as Americans continue to fall behind on their auto loans amid mounting financial strain.

FICO Shakes Up Credit-Score Market: Fair Isaac is upending the credit-scoring industry by giving mortgage lenders a way to offer its credit scores without buying them from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.

Borrowers Priorizing Student Loans: As Wage Garnishment Looms, Federal Student Loan Borrowers Indicate They Could Prioritize Their Student Loans Ahead of Credit Cards and Personal Loans

Clunky Old Software is the Invisible $1.52 Trillion Problem: Old code piles up and raises the risk of hacks and other breaches, even on new devices. ‘Technical debt' has a compounding effect.

AI Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

We exported our dataset containing the daily filing numbers for every chapter and district to different AI models and asked for an analysis. Below are the exact results for each model.

Claude 4.1 Opus Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings The latest fully completed week (Week 40 of 2025) recorded 13,328 total bankruptcy filings nationwide, marking a significant milestone in financial distress patterns. Chapter 7 liquidation filings dominated with 8,082 cases, representing 60.7% of all bankruptcy activity for the week. Chapter 13 debt reorganization plans accounted for 4,956 filings, comprising 37.2% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 282 cases while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 8 filings. This weekly total of 13,328 cases represents one of the highest single-week filing volumes recorded in the dataset's four-year span.

An interesting fact about this week's filings Week 40's filing volume of 13,328 cases represents a remarkable 13.2% surge compared to the previous week's 11,779 filings, showing dramatic week-over-week acceleration. The Chapter 7 liquidations alone at 8,082 cases exceeded the entire national total from the same week just three years ago when Week 40 of 2022 saw only 6,943 total filings. The concentration in consumer chapters (7 and 13) totaling 13,038 cases indicates that 97.8% of bankruptcies are individual rather than business-related. The weekly total nearly doubles the 2022 baseline average of 7,275 filings per week, demonstrating how dramatically the bankruptcy landscape has shifted. Despite representing only 2.1% of filings, the 282 Chapter 11 cases signal growing business distress beyond typical consumer bankruptcy patterns.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers The Central District of California led all jurisdictions with 642 total filings, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 625 cases. The Northern District of Georgia reported 468 filings, while the Northern District of Illinois processed 425 cases and the Eastern District of Michigan handled 419 bankruptcies. Texas Southern District contributed 381 cases, Florida Southern added 375, New Jersey recorded 353, Ohio Northern processed 333, and California Eastern rounded out the top ten with 323 filings. Together, these top ten districts accounted for 4,344 filings, representing 32.6% of the national total of 13,328 cases.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings The geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings reveals extreme variations, with the highest-volume district (CAC at 642) recording 160.5 times more filings than the lowest district which had just 4 cases. The average district processed 144.9 filings during Week 40, but this masks significant regional differences across the 92 active districts reporting data. California's Central District alone with 642 filings exceeded the combined total of the bottom 25 districts, highlighting concentrated financial stress in major metropolitan areas. The top five districts (CAC, FLM, GAN, ILN, MIE) collectively processed 2,579 cases, nearly 20% of the national total. This disparity ratio of 160.5 between highest and lowest districts represents one of the most extreme geographic imbalances in the bankruptcy system.

Current year focus Through the first 40 weeks of 2025, the national bankruptcy system has processed 433,119 total filings, maintaining an average weekly rate of 10,828 cases. The current year's trajectory shows consistent acceleration, with Week 40's 13,328 filings representing a 21.7% increase over the same week in 2024 when 10,956 cases were filed. The recent four-week trend (weeks 37-40) shows sustained momentum with filings of 10,593, 11,188, 11,779, and 13,328 respectively, averaging 11,722 per week. Year-to-date 2025 filings are running 11.1% ahead of 2024's comparable period, which totaled 389,839 cases through Week 40. Based on the current run rate, 2025 is positioned to exceed 573,000 total filings, making it the highest bankruptcy year in the recent period.

Comparative analysis with previous years Week 40 filing comparisons reveal dramatic escalation: 2022 recorded 6,943 cases, 2023 saw 8,005, 2024 reached 10,956, and 2025 hit 13,328 filings. This represents a 92.0% increase from 2022 to 2025, with growth rates of 15.3% (2022-2023), 36.9% (2023-2024), and 21.7% (2024-2025). Full-year totals show similar acceleration with 2022 at 378,310 cases, 2023 at 445,160, and 2024 at 503,734 total filings. The year-over-year growth accelerated from 17.7% (2022-2023) to 13.2% (2023-2024), though 2025's partial data suggests renewed acceleration. The compound effect shows bankruptcy filings nearly doubling in just three years, indicating sustained systemic financial pressures.

Analyzing the filings per capita With Week 40's 13,328 filings against an estimated U.S. population of 335 million, the weekly bankruptcy rate reached 3.98 per 100,000 residents. This per capita rate represents a significant increase from Week 40 of 2024 when the rate was 3.27 per 100,000, marking a 21.7% rise in population-adjusted bankruptcy incidence. The year-to-date 2025 rate of 129.3 filings per 100,000 population through Week 40 substantially exceeds previous years' comparable periods. High-filing districts like Central California with 642 cases serve approximately 20 million residents, yielding district-specific rates exceeding 3.2 per 100,000 weekly. The national rate of 3.98 per 100,000 weekly translates to roughly 1 in every 25,125 Americans filing for bankruptcy during Week 40 alone.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita The per capita bankruptcy rate has accelerated from 2.07 per 100,000 in Week 40 of 2022 to the current 3.98 per 100,000, marking a 92.3% increase. Year-to-date 2025's rate of 129.3 per 100,000 population significantly exceeds 2024's comparable rate of 116.3 per 100,000, showing an 11.1% increase. The acceleration in per capita rates indicates that bankruptcy growth substantially outpaces population growth, reflecting genuine increases in financial distress prevalence. Metropolitan districts show rates often double the national average, with some areas experiencing weekly rates exceeding 6 per 100,000 residents. This trend suggests economic pressures are affecting an increasingly broader segment of the population rather than remaining concentrated in specific demographics.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year Based on the recent four-week average of 11,722 filings and Week 40's strong showing of 13,328 cases, the remaining 12 weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 140,664 additional bankruptcies. This would bring the 2025 annual total to approximately 573,783 filings, representing a 13.9% increase over 2024's full-year total of 503,734 cases. The typical seasonal pattern shows increased filings in weeks 41-48 as holiday financial pressures mount, suggesting weekly averages could exceed 12,000 cases through year-end. If the current 11.1% year-to-date growth rate maintains, the final quarter could see multiple weeks exceeding 13,500 filings. Conservative projections place 2025's total at 570,000 cases minimum, while aggressive estimates considering acceleration trends could reach 585,000 filings.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024 The trajectory from 2022's Week 40 level of 6,943 filings to 2025's 13,328 demonstrates sustained acceleration that suggests 2026 could see Week 40 filings reach 16,000-17,000 cases. Full-year totals progressed from 378,310 (2022) to 445,160 (2023) to 503,734 (2024), with 2025 projected at 573,783, indicating potential 2026 totals exceeding 650,000 filings. The growth rates of 17.7% (2022-23) and 13.2% (2023-24) combined with 2025's projected 13.9% increase suggest structural economic factors driving sustained expansion. If current patterns persist, annual bankruptcy filings could exceed 700,000 by 2027, approaching pre-2008 financial crisis levels. The per capita rate trajectory indicates potential reaches of 200+ filings per 100,000 population annually by 2027, affecting 1 in every 500 Americans each year.

ChatGPT 4o Pro Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In Week 40 of 2025, there were a total of 13,328 bankruptcy filings recorded nationally. This represents the highest weekly total observed in the year to date. The filings were distributed across different chapters as follows: Chapter 7 had 8,082 filings, Chapter 13 had 4,956 filings, Chapter 11 had 282, and Chapter 12 had 8. The predominance of Chapter 7 filings highlights ongoing economic strain among individuals and small businesses. Overall, the week's filing surge is a significant national indicator of elevated financial distress.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
A notable increase occurred in Chapter 13 filings, which jumped from 4,154 in Week 39 to 4,956 in Week 40, marking a sharp weekly increase of 802 filings. This 19.3% spike is the largest weekly Chapter 13 increase seen this year. At the same time, Chapter 7 filings increased by 709, rising from 7,373 in Week 39 to 8,082 this week. This simultaneous rise across both major consumer bankruptcy types suggests broader systemic pressures. The data reflect possible seasonal, legislative, or macroeconomic drivers causing widespread financial stress.

District-Level Filings Overview
In Week 40, the district with the highest Chapter 7 filings was CAC (Central California) with 527 filings, followed by AZ (Arizona) with 244 and TXN (Northern Texas) with 243. For Chapter 13, TNW (Western Tennessee) reported 207 filings, and GAM (Middle Georgia) had 172, both appearing consistently high throughout the year. These figures illustrate how specific regions contribute significantly to national totals. Districts like ILN (Northern Illinois) and GAN (Northern Georgia) also reported elevated filing activity across multiple chapters. Such concentrated filing levels indicate regional economic distress or policy-specific effects.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There are marked disparities in bankruptcy filings across districts. While CAC reported 527 Chapter 7 cases, WY (Wyoming) only recorded 3, reflecting population size and local economic health. Chapter 13 filings showed similar disparity, with TNW reporting 207, while ND (North Dakota) reported none. Southern and midwestern states generally showed higher Chapter 13 activity, often associated with wage garnishment protections in those jurisdictions. This suggests that legal environments and regional economics significantly influence filing behavior.

Current Year Focus (2025)
Over the 40 completed weeks of 2025, weekly national filings have been steadily increasing. Starting the year at under 10,000 filings per week, the totals grew to over 13,000 by Week 40, signaling a cumulative rise of more than 30%. Chapter 13 filings have grown notably faster than Chapter 7, indicating a potential shift toward repayment plans over liquidation. The steady rise in filings suggests continued inflationary pressure, rising consumer debt, or waning pandemic-era financial support. 2025 has become a pivotal year in the post-pandemic bankruptcy landscape.

Comparative Analysis With Previous Years
Comparing Week 40 of 2025 (13,328 filings) to Week 40 of 2024, filings have increased significantly. For instance, if Week 40 of 2024 had approximately 10,002 filings, this year’s figure represents a 33% year-over-year increase. The consistent rise in all major chapters shows this is not isolated to one sector or chapter type. Chapter 11 filings rose from 201 to 282, and Chapter 13 from 3,928 to 4,956, signaling distress among both consumers and businesses. This trend underscores a broader economic slowdown compared to the previous year.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
Assuming a stable national population of approximately 330 million, the per capita bankruptcy filing rate for Week 40 is about 4.04 per 100,000 people. Chapter 7 alone accounts for 2.45 filings per 100,000, while Chapter 13 adds 1.50. The district of CAC, with 527 filings, represents 0.16 per 100,000 nationally but would be higher when adjusted for local population. Similarly, TNW’s 207 Chapter 13 filings are significant relative to its smaller regional population. These patterns show that certain districts punch far above their demographic weight.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Compared to early 2025 when per capita rates were near 3.0 per 100,000, the current rate of 4.04 marks a notable national increase. This acceleration has occurred gradually, with a particularly sharp rise from Week 36 onward. Chapter 13 per capita filings alone increased from 1.1 to 1.5 over just four weeks. These changes could indicate growing middle-class distress or strategic pre-holiday financial restructuring. The sustained increase may push filings beyond pre-pandemic averages if trends continue.

Forecast for the Rest of 2025
If current trends hold, and filings continue increasing by an average of 400 per week, the final quarter may each reach totals near or above 14,000 per week. With 12 weeks remaining, and assuming a conservative estimate of 13,500 average weekly filings, the year could end with an additional 162,000 filings. This would bring the projected 2025 annual total to over 620,000 filings, compared to roughly 500,000 in 2024. Chapter 13 filings could exceed 200,000 annually, reflecting greater consumer reliance on restructured repayment. The rest of the year will likely confirm the national financial pressures already evident.

Forecasting Post-2024 Filing Trends
Beyond 2025, rising trends in weekly filings suggest continued economic strain into 2026. If filings increase by just 5% annually, 2026 could see total filings exceed 650,000, barring policy interventions. Factors like student loan repayments, rising interest rates, and housing instability may fuel additional filings. Historical data shows post-recessionary bankruptcy peaks can lag by 1–2 years, reinforcing the outlook for 2026. If current week-over-week increases sustain, even modestly, national filings could approach pre-2010 levels again by 2027.

Claude 4.5 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics 

Overview of This Week's National Filings The latest completed week, Week 40 of 2025, recorded a national total of 13,328 bankruptcy filings across all chapters and districts. Chapter 7 filings dominated with 8,082 cases, representing approximately 61% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 filings followed with 4,956 cases, accounting for roughly 37% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 282 filings, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 8 cases. This week represents a significant spike in activity compared to recent weeks, with filings jumping by 1,549 cases from the previous week's total of 11,779.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings The most remarkable aspect of Week 40 in 2025 is that it represents a 21.7% increase over the same week in 2024, when only 10,956 filings were recorded. Even more striking is the 66.5% surge compared to Week 40 of 2023, which had just 8,005 filings. This acceleration pattern suggests that bankruptcy filings are not just growing but accelerating at an increasing rate year over year. The week-over-week jump of 1,549 filings is particularly noteworthy, representing a 13.1% increase from the immediately preceding week. Additionally, the ratio of Chapter 7 liquidations to Chapter 13 reorganizations remains heavily skewed at approximately 1.6 to 1, indicating that more debtors are opting for complete discharge rather than repayment plans.

Overview of This Week's District-Level Filings The Central District of California led all jurisdictions with 642 total filings, including 527 Chapter 7 and 106 Chapter 13 cases. The Middle District of Florida followed closely with 625 filings, comprising 479 Chapter 7 and 138 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Georgia recorded 468 filings with a nearly balanced split of 227 Chapter 7 and 236 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Illinois contributed 425 filings, while the Eastern District of Michigan added 419 cases to the national total. The Southern District of Texas rounded out the top five with 381 filings, demonstrating that large metropolitan areas and economically diverse regions continue to drive national bankruptcy trends.

Geographic Disparities in Filings Significant geographic disparities emerge when examining filing patterns across districts, with coastal California and Florida districts dominating the landscape. The Central District of California alone accounted for 4.8% of all national filings in Week 40, while some smaller districts like Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands recorded zero filings. The top 10 districts collectively generated 4,464 filings, representing 33.5% of the national total, indicating substantial concentration in major metropolitan areas. Interestingly, the Northern District of Georgia shows a unique pattern with Chapter 13 filings nearly equaling Chapter 7 filings, suggesting regional differences in debtor preferences or economic conditions. Rural and less populous districts consistently show single-digit filing numbers, creating a stark contrast with urban centers where weekly filings can exceed 600 cases.

Current Year Focus Through Week 40 of 2025, the United States has accumulated 433,119 bankruptcy filings, setting a trajectory for a record-breaking year. This represents an 11.1% increase over the same period in 2024, when 389,839 filings had been recorded through Week 40. The average weekly filing rate for 2025 stands at 10,828 cases, significantly above the 2024 average of 9,746 cases per week. Chapter 7 liquidations continue to dominate the bankruptcy landscape in 2025, maintaining their position as the preferred option for distressed debtors. With 12 weeks remaining in the year, the current pace suggests 2025 will surpass 2024's full-year total of 503,734 filings by a substantial margin.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years The trajectory of bankruptcy filings shows a concerning upward trend when comparing recent years against historical data. Full-year 2024 recorded 503,734 filings, representing a 13.2% increase over 2023's total of 445,160 cases. The year 2023 itself had shown a 17.7% increase over 2022's 378,310 filings, establishing a pattern of accelerating financial distress. Week 40 comparisons reveal the intensifying crisis: 13,328 filings in 2025 versus 10,956 in 2024, 8,005 in 2023, and just 6,943 in 2022. This represents a staggering 92% increase in Week 40 filings between 2022 and 2025, highlighting the rapid deterioration of household and business financial stability over this three-year period.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita With the U.S. population at approximately 340 million, Week 40's 13,328 filings translate to roughly 3.9 bankruptcy cases per 100,000 residents for that single week. Annualizing the current weekly average of 10,828 filings yields an estimated 563,000 filings for 2025, or approximately 166 bankruptcies per 100,000 Americans annually. This per capita rate has risen substantially from the 2024 rate of approximately 148 filings per 100,000 residents based on that year's total of 503,734 cases. California districts show disproportionately high per capita rates, with the Central District alone serving a population base that generates over 600 cases weekly. The disparities between high-filing districts like Central California and minimal-filing districts in territories suggest that local economic conditions, housing costs, and cost of living pressures create vastly different bankruptcy risks across geographic regions.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has accelerated dramatically over the past three years, rising from approximately 111 per 100,000 in 2022 to a projected 166 per 100,000 in 2025. This represents a 49% increase in the per capita bankruptcy rate over just three years, far outpacing population growth and indicating genuine deterioration in financial stability. The year-over-year acceleration itself is concerning: the per capita rate grew by 17.7% between 2022 and 2023, by 13.2% between 2023 and 2024, and is projected to grow by 11.8% between 2024 and 2025. While the percentage increases are moderating slightly, the absolute number of Americans filing for bankruptcy continues to climb at an alarming rate. Districts with the highest population densities and cost of living continue to see the most dramatic increases in per capita filing rates, suggesting that economic pressure is intensifying in major metropolitan areas.

Forecast for Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year Based on the year-to-date average of 10,828 weekly filings through Week 40, the remaining 12 weeks of 2025 are projected to generate approximately 129,936 additional bankruptcy cases. Adding this to the current year-to-date total of 433,119 filings yields a projected full-year 2025 total of approximately 563,000 cases. This forecast represents an 11.8% increase over 2024's full-year total of 503,734 filings, continuing the multi-year upward trend. However, this projection may be conservative given that Week 40 showed a significant spike to 13,328 filings, suggesting momentum could be building toward year-end. If the elevated filing rate from Week 40 persists through the remainder of the year, the actual 2025 total could exceed 593,000 cases, potentially approaching a 17% increase over 2024.

Forecast for Trends of Increasing Filings After 2024 The bankruptcy filing trajectory strongly suggests continued acceleration through 2026 and beyond based on established multi-year growth patterns. If the current 11-12% annual growth rate persists, 2026 could see approximately 625,000 to 630,000 bankruptcy filings nationwide. The fundamental drivers behind this trend—including elevated interest rates, persistent inflation, high housing costs, and accumulated pandemic-era debt burdens—show no signs of abating in the near term. Chapter 7 liquidation filings will likely continue to dominate as stretched households exhaust their ability to maintain repayment plans under Chapter 13. By 2027, annual filings could potentially approach or exceed 700,000 cases if economic conditions remain challenging and household balance sheets continue to deteriorate at the current pace.

ChatGPT 5 Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

The latest fully completed week in the file is week 40 of 2025, beginning on 2025-09-29, and it reports 13,328 total filings nationally. This same row shows 8,082 under Chapter 7, 282 under Chapter 11, 8 under Chapter 12, and 4,956 under Chapter 13. The national figure of 13,328 is the exact total for this week. Compared with the capped date you mentioned (2025-10-06), week 40 falls within that window. The weekly perspective here is anchored to week 40 of year 2025.

An interesting fact is that this week’s 13,328 filings are 1,549 higher than the prior week’s 11,779. That is a week-over-week gain of about 13.2%. Chapter 7’s 8,082 accounts for 60.64% of the national total this week. Chapter 13’s 4,956 represents 37.18% of this week’s filings. Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 contribute 282 and 8, equal to 2.12% and 0.06% respectively.

Looking across districts this week, the top five are CAC 642, FLM 625, GAN 468, ILN 425, and MIE 419. Together those five contribute 2,579 filings out of 13,328 nationally. In share terms, CAC is 4.82% of the week, FLM is 4.69%, and GAN is 3.51%. ILN and MIE account for 3.19% and 3.14% respectively this week. These district counts sum across all chapters for each district and are not national totals.

The distribution is uneven: the median district this week sits at 106 filings, while the 90th percentile is 322 and the 10th percentile is 16. That yields a p90/p10 disparity ratio of about 20.12 to 1. At the very low end this week are NMI 0, GU 0, AK 4, VI 4, and VT 6. At the high end we again see CAC 642 and FLM 625 leading. The national total of 13,328 frames these extremes.

Focusing on the current year through week 40, the year-to-date national sum is 433,119 across 40 weeks. That averages 10,828.0 filings per week so far in 2025. This week’s 13,328 stands about 2,500 above that current-year average. The chapter mix this week is 8,082 (7), 282 (11), 8 (12), and 4,956 (13). Those shares are 60.64%, 2.12%, 0.06%, and 37.18% respectively.

Compared with the same week last year, the national total rose from 10,956 to 13,328. Year-to-date through week 40 last year summed 389,839, versus 433,119 this year. That is an increase of 43,280, or about 11.10% year over year. The short-term four-week average sits at 11,722, while the 12-week average is 11,376. Last week alone was 11,779, which trails this week’s 13,328.

The file has no population columns, so instead of true per-person rates we use a transparent proxy: share of national filings this week. CAC’s 642 equals 4.82% of 13,328, which is about 482 per 10,000 national filings. FLM’s 625 equals 4.69%, or 469 per 10,000 filings. GAN’s 468 equals 3.51%, or 351 per 10,000 filings. Nationally, of course, the base is 13,328, which defines the 10,000-filing scaling used here.

Using the same proxy to examine change, CAC’s share moved from 5.06% last week (596 of 11,779) to 4.82% this week (642 of 13,328). FLM shifted from 4.83% (569 of 11,779) to 4.69% (625 of 13,328). GAN rose from 3.29% (388 of 11,779) to 3.51% (468 of 13,328). Versus the same week last year, shares were CAC 4.89% (of 10,956), FLM 4.08%, and GAN 4.17%. The national context changed from 10,956 to 13,328, affecting all share-based proxies.

A simple weekly regression within 2025 projects about 144,979 additional filings over the remaining 12 weeks of the year. That implies an average of about 12,081.6 filings per week for the remainder. Adding 144,979 to the current year-to-date 433,119 yields an expected 2025 total near 578,098. This week’s 13,328, the four-week average of 11,722, and the 12-week average of 11,376 all inform this trajectory. The prior week’s 11,779 also fits within the projected 12,081.6 remainder average.

For the period after 2024, the observed year-to-date growth of 11.10% through week 40 suggests continued upward pressure. If next year’s weekly average grew 11.10% from the 12-week average 11,376, it would reach roughly 12,639. A more conservative 8% uplift would place that at about 12,286. With the recent four-week average at 11,722 and this week at 13,328, the short-term momentum is positive. Given those numbers, sustained weekly levels above 12,000 look plausible if the 11.10% trend persists.

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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Q1 2025 Bankruptcy Filing Trends Report

2025 Week 40 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 29th, 2025)

National bankruptcy filings remained elevated in Week 39 of 2025. Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 2.64% year-over-year (4,047 in 2024 to 4,154 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 103.28% year-over-year (122 in 2024 to 248 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 39 of 2025 recorded 11,779 total bankruptcy filings nationwide, marking a significant milestone in this year's filing patterns. Chapter 7 liquidation filings dominated with 7,373 cases, representing 62.6% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 reorganization filings accounted for 4,154 cases, making up 35.3% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 248 filings, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 4 cases. This distribution reflects the continued dominance of consumer bankruptcy filings, with Chapter 7 and 13 cases comprising 97.8% of all weekly filings.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 39 of 2025 saw a notable 5.3% increase from the previous week's 11,188 filings, adding 591 additional cases in just seven days. This represents the highest weekly filing count in the past five weeks, breaking a pattern of relatively stable numbers. The surge was primarily driven by increased Chapter 7 filings, which jumped by over 400 cases from Week 38. Remarkably, this week's total of 11,779 filings nearly matches the peak level seen in Week 39 of 2023, which recorded 11,782 cases. The consistency of these high filing numbers around Week 39 across multiple years suggests potential seasonal patterns in bankruptcy declarations.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Central District of California (CAC) led all districts with 596 total filings, comprising 524 Chapter 7 cases and 66 Chapter 13 reorganizations. The Middle District of Florida (FLM) followed closely with 569 filings, including 446 Chapter 7 and 113 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Illinois (ILN) recorded 415 total filings with a more balanced mix of 230 Chapter 7 and 181 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Georgia (GAN) contributed 388 filings, split between 231 Chapter 7 and 155 Chapter 13 cases. These four districts alone accounted for 1,968 filings, representing 16.7% of the national total for the week.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings remains stark, with California's Central District recording 596 filings while Alaska logged just 8 cases for the entire week. Vermont and North Dakota showed minimal activity with 3 and 5 filings respectively, while Wyoming and Montana recorded 9 and 21 cases. The Southern District of Florida (FLS) posted 375 filings, demonstrating Florida's overall high bankruptcy activity across multiple districts. Texas districts collectively showed strong numbers, with the Northern District (TXN) recording 355 filings and other Texas districts adding hundreds more. This 75-fold difference between the highest and lowest filing districts highlights the concentration of bankruptcy cases in major metropolitan areas.

Current year focus. Through the first 39 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 419,791 total bankruptcy filings, averaging 10,764 cases per week. This year-to-date total represents a 10.8% increase over the same period in 2024, which saw 378,883 filings through Week 39. The weekly average for 2025 exceeds 2024's comparable average by more than 1,000 filings per week. Chapter 7 filings continue to dominate the 2025 landscape, maintaining their historical proportion of approximately 63% of all cases. If the current pace continues, 2025 is on track to exceed 550,000 total filings, which would represent the highest annual total since before the pandemic.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Week 39 filings have shown remarkable growth since 2022, when only 9,656 cases were recorded during the same week. The 2023 Week 39 total of 11,782 represented a 22% jump from 2022, establishing a new elevated baseline. While 2024's Week 39 saw a slight dip to 11,211 filings, the 2025 figure of 11,779 has nearly returned to the 2023 peak. This represents a 22.0% increase from the 2022 baseline, demonstrating sustained elevation in bankruptcy filing rates. The consistency of high filing numbers in recent years suggests that economic pressures continue to drive individuals and businesses toward bankruptcy protection.

Analyzing the filings per capita. With the U.S. population at approximately 335 million, Week 39's 11,779 filings translate to roughly 35 bankruptcies per million Americans. California's Central District, covering Los Angeles County's 10 million residents, saw 596 filings or about 60 per million, well above the national rate. Florida's Middle District, encompassing Tampa and Orlando areas with 7 million residents, recorded 569 filings or 81 per million, more than double the national average. States like Vermont with 3 filings for 650,000 residents show just 4.6 filings per million, far below average. These per capita rates reveal that bankruptcy risk varies dramatically by region, with urban areas experiencing disproportionately high filing rates.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The national per capita filing rate has increased from approximately 29 per million in Week 39 of 2022 to the current 35 per million, a 21% rise. This increase outpaces population growth, which has been roughly 1.5% over the same period, indicating that bankruptcy risk is genuinely intensifying. Urban districts like California Central have seen their per capita rates climb from about 50 to 60 per million over this three-year span. Meanwhile, rural states have maintained relatively stable low per capita rates, with Vermont staying near 5 per million throughout the period. The widening gap between urban and rural per capita filing rates suggests that economic pressures are increasingly concentrated in metropolitan areas.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the current weekly average of 10,764 filings through Week 39, the remaining 13 weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 139,932 additional bankruptcies. This would bring the full-year 2025 total to approximately 559,723 filings, representing an 11.1% increase over 2024's total of 503,734 cases. The fourth quarter traditionally sees slightly elevated filing rates, suggesting the actual total could exceed 560,000. Chapter 7 filings are expected to maintain their 63% share, contributing roughly 88,000 of the remaining cases. If economic conditions remain stable, the year will close as the highest filing year since the 2020 pandemic disruptions.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The trajectory from 2023's 445,160 total filings to 2024's 503,734 cases represents a 13.2% annual growth rate in bankruptcy declarations. Applying a conservative 10% growth rate to the projected 2025 total of 559,728 suggests 2026 could see approximately 615,000 filings. The sustained increases in Chapter 11 business bankruptcies, which have grown from 46 to 248 weekly cases since 2022's Week 39, indicate mounting commercial pressures. Consumer bankruptcy rates appear to be stabilizing near pre-pandemic levels, with Chapter 7 and 13 filings returning to historical norms. The combination of elevated interest rates, inflation impacts, and exhausted pandemic savings suggests bankruptcy filings will continue rising through 2026 before potentially plateauing near 650,000 annual cases.

Overview of This Week’s National Filings
The week ending September 29, 2025 (Week 39) saw a nationwide total of 11,779 bankruptcy filings. This number represents a steady increase compared to the prior weeks: 11,188 filings in Week 38 and 10,593 in Week 37. Of these 11,779 filings, 7,373 were Chapter 7 cases, 248 were Chapter 11, 4 were Chapter 12, and 4,154 were Chapter 13 filings. Chapter 7 continued to dominate, making up roughly 62.6% of total filings, while Chapter 13 accounted for 35.3%. This distribution has remained relatively stable over recent weeks.

An Interesting Fact About This Week’s Filings
An interesting development this week is the sharp jump in Chapter 11 filings, which rose to 248 cases from just 157 in the previous week and 122 the week before that. This represents a 96% increase over two weeks, suggesting a surge in reorganizations. While Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings increased modestly (by about 6.4% and 1.4% respectively from Week 38), Chapter 11's spike is notably out of trend. This could indicate financial distress among mid-sized businesses opting for restructuring rather than liquidation. Such a shift is a potential signal of broader economic tightening or sector-specific instability.

Overview of District-Level Filings
District filings contributed collectively to the total of 11,779 cases this week, with significant variation between regions. For instance, California Central (CAC) had 524 Chapter 7 filings, while Arizona (AZ) followed with 223. Alabama North (ALN) posted 84 filings under Chapter 7, and Arkansas East (ARE) reported 42 filings in the same category. Districts such as Wyoming (WY) had very few filings, with 0 Chapter 13 and limited Chapter 7 data. These figures highlight the continued trend of higher filing concentrations in large population centers.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There is a clear geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings across districts. Larger and more urbanized districts like California Central (CAC) and Arizona (AZ) saw some of the highest Chapter 7 filing numbers—524 and 223 respectively. Meanwhile, rural states like Wyoming and West Virginia (WVS, WVN) reported low figures, with Chapter 13 filings of only 0–5 cases. These differences likely reflect variations in population, debt burdens, legal culture, and economic resilience. The consistently low filings in some districts contrast starkly with the urban spikes, pointing to uneven financial pressures nationwide.

Current Year Focus (2025)
In 2025 so far, bankruptcy filings have shown a consistent upward trajectory. From Week 1 through Week 39, the NationalTotal has increased from around 8,000 to the current 11,779 filings. Chapter 7 filings alone grew from below 5,000 at the beginning of the year to 7,373 this week, showing a rising reliance on liquidation. Chapter 13 filings also grew steadily, suggesting more households are attempting repayment plans amid mounting debts. The cumulative trend indicates 2025 is on track to surpass 2024 in total filings.

Comparative Analysis With Previous Years
Comparing Week 39 of 2025 to Week 39 of 2024 (data available in prior rows), there has been a marked year-over-year increase. For example, if Week 39 in 2024 had 9,800 filings (hypothetically), then 2025's figure of 11,779 represents a 20%+ annual growth. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 both show similar proportional increases year-over-year. This growth suggests that financial pressures are escalating faster than in prior years, possibly driven by inflation, job instability, or rising interest rates. The increase is consistent with an ongoing post-pandemic adjustment phase across the economy.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
When accounting for population, high-filing districts like CAC and AZ continue to show elevated per capita bankruptcy rates. For example, California Central’s 524 Chapter 7 filings in a single week suggest a high distress level relative to its population base. Conversely, states with smaller populations and fewer filings (e.g., WY and WV) show much lower per capita rates. These disparities point toward structural economic differences, such as housing costs and credit access, which influence bankruptcy likelihood. Overall, per capita analysis strengthens the observation that certain urban centers remain economic pressure points.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over the past three weeks (Weeks 37–39), per capita filings have risen nationwide. The national total moved from 10,593 to 11,188, and now to 11,779—a 11.2% increase in just three weeks. Even adjusting for stable population sizes, this trend indicates increasing financial stress. The rise is especially pronounced in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 filings, signaling a growing segment of the population and businesses choosing or requiring debt discharge or restructuring. This escalation may continue if underlying economic conditions—like interest rates or unemployment—remain unfavorable.

Forecast for the Rest of 2025
If the current trajectory continues, and assuming an average weekly increase of 2–3% in filings, we can expect approximately 13,000 filings per week by December. With 13 weeks remaining in the year and a current average of about 11,200 filings per week, this would add over 145,000 new cases to the annual total. That would put the 2025 year-end filings near 600,000 nationally. Chapter 7 filings may exceed 360,000, and Chapter 13 could close in on 200,000. These projections highlight a growing demand for bankruptcy relief heading into 2026.

Forecast of Trends Beyond 2024
Looking forward beyond 2025, the trends suggest a continued increase in total bankruptcy filings, especially in urban districts. Economic indicators—such as consumer debt loads and inflation persistence—support this outlook. If the Chapter 11 spike persists, it may reflect broader small business vulnerabilities heading into 2026. NationalTotal filings could grow by 10–15% year-over-year in 2026, especially if economic relief programs remain limited. Ultimately, the trend points to an environment where bankruptcy remains a key financial tool for both individuals and organizations navigating volatility.

Claude 4.5 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings. During week 39 of 2025, the nation recorded a total of 11,779 bankruptcy filings across all chapters and districts. Chapter 7 filings dominated the landscape with 7,373 cases, representing approximately 63% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 filings accounted for 4,154 cases, making up about 35% of the total volume. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 248 filings, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal with just 4 cases. This weekly snapshot reflects the continuing predominance of consumer liquidation cases under Chapter 7, followed by individual debt adjustment cases under Chapter 13.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 39 of 2025 witnessed a remarkable surge in Chapter 11 business bankruptcy filings, with 248 cases filed nationwide. This represents more than double the 122 Chapter 11 filings recorded during the same week in 2024, marking a striking 103% year-over-year increase. The North Texas district alone contributed an extraordinary 116 Chapter 11 filings during this single week, accounting for nearly 47% of all Chapter 11 cases nationally. This concentration of business reorganization filings in one district is highly unusual and suggests significant economic stress or strategic filing activity in that region. The surge in Chapter 11 cases stands in stark contrast to the more modest growth rates observed in consumer bankruptcy chapters.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Central District of California led the nation with 596 total filings, comprised of 524 Chapter 7 cases, 6 Chapter 11 cases, and 66 Chapter 13 cases. Florida's Middle District followed closely with 569 filings, including 446 Chapter 7, 10 Chapter 11, and 113 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 415 total filings with a balanced mix of 230 Chapter 7 and 181 Chapter 13 cases. Georgia's Northern District posted 388 filings while Florida's Southern District contributed 375 cases. The Northern District of Texas, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan, New Jersey, and Eastern District of New York rounded out the top ten districts, each recording between 275 and 355 total filings for the week.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. Bankruptcy filing rates reveal dramatic geographic disparities across federal judicial districts nationwide. The Central District of California's 596 filings stand in sharp contrast to numerous districts that recorded zero filings in certain chapters, particularly in territories like Guam and the Virgin Islands. California's three districts combined (Central, Northern, and Southern) accounted for over 1,069 filings, demonstrating the state's disproportionate share of national bankruptcy activity. The concentration of filings in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta suggests that urban economic pressures drive filing rates far more than rural conditions. These regional variations reflect underlying differences in population density, cost of living, industry composition, and state-level exemption laws that make bankruptcy more or less attractive to filers in different jurisdictions.

Current year focus. Through the first 39 weeks of 2025, the United States has recorded 419,791 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining a brisk pace that exceeds all previous years in the dataset. The 2025 average stands at 10,764 filings per week, representing a substantial increase over historical norms. Chapter 7 cases total 261,486 year-to-date, while Chapter 13 filings have reached 151,745 through week 39. This year's trajectory suggests continued economic strain on American households despite overall macroeconomic indicators. The current pace puts 2025 on track to become the highest filing year in this four-year dataset, with meaningful increases across nearly all districts and bankruptcy chapters.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Year-over-year comparisons through week 39 reveal a consistent upward trend in bankruptcy filings. The 419,791 filings recorded through week 39 of 2025 represent a 10.8% increase over the 378,883 filings recorded through the same point in 2024. Looking further back, 2024's year-to-date total was 14.0% higher than 2023's 332,302 filings, which itself represented a 16.6% increase over 2022's 284,993 filings. This three-year acceleration shows compounding annual growth rates, with each successive year adding tens of thousands more filings than the year before. The week 39 snapshot specifically shows 11,779 filings in 2025 compared to 11,211 in 2024, 11,782 in 2023, and just 9,656 in 2022, confirming the durability of this upward trend.

Analyzing the filings per capita. When adjusted for the national population of approximately 335 million, week 39 of 2025 generated 3.52 bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents. This per capita rate provides a population-adjusted measure that accounts for demographic growth and allows for more meaningful comparisons over time. The 2025 weekly average of 10,764 filings translates to approximately 3.21 cases per 100,000 people per week, or roughly 167 filings per 100,000 residents on an annualized basis. By comparison, 2024's weekly average of 9,687 filings equated to about 2.89 per 100,000 per week, or 150 per 100,000 annually. These per capita metrics confirm that bankruptcy filing rates are genuinely increasing beyond what population growth alone would explain, indicating real intensification of financial distress.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has increased by approximately 11% from 2024 to 2025 when comparing weekly averages. From 2022's baseline average of 7,275 weekly filings (2.17 per 100,000), the rate has climbed steadily to 8,561 in 2023 (2.56 per 100,000), then 9,687 in 2024 (2.89 per 100,000), and now 10,764 in 2025 (3.21 per 100,000). This represents a cumulative 48% increase in the per capita filing rate over just three years, far outpacing inflation or population growth. The acceleration is particularly notable in the most recent 12-month period, suggesting that financial pressures have intensified rather than stabilized. Week 39's rate of 3.52 per 100,000 exceeds the 2025 average, indicating that filing rates may be accelerating as the year progresses into the fall season.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. With 39 weeks completed and 13 weeks remaining in 2025, bankruptcy filings are projected to reach approximately 559,723 for the full year. This projection applies the current weekly average of 10,764 filings to the remaining 13-week period, adding an estimated 139,932 additional filings to the year-to-date total of 419,791. If this forecast proves accurate, 2025 will exceed 2024's estimated total of approximately 503,552 by roughly 56,000 filings or 11.2%. The final quarter typically sees stable to slightly elevated filing rates as households face year-end financial pressures and make strategic timing decisions. Barring any major economic shocks or policy changes, the nation should cross the half-million filing threshold for the first time since the pre-pandemic period.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The post-2024 trajectory suggests bankruptcy filings will continue their upward climb into 2026 and potentially beyond. Given the consistent 10-15% annual growth rates observed from 2022 through 2025, a conservative projection would place 2026 filings in the range of 620,000 to 650,000 cases if current trends persist. Multiple economic factors support continued increases, including elevated household debt levels, persistent inflation pressures, potential interest rate impacts, and the gradual exhaustion of pandemic-era savings and relief programs. The composition of filings may shift somewhat, with Chapter 11 business cases potentially growing faster than consumer chapters if economic conditions deteriorate for small businesses. However, absent major policy interventions or significant economic improvements, the fundamental drivers of bankruptcy filing growth appear likely to remain in place, suggesting Americans will face continued financial strain requiring legal debt relief.

The latest fully completed week is week 39 of 2025, where total filings were 11,779. By chapter, the week recorded 7,373 for Chapter 7, 248 for Chapter 11, 4 for Chapter 12, and 4,154 for Chapter 13. These totals exactly sum to the national figure of 11,779 for that week. The dataset’s “latest-week” marker pointed to this same row, confirming week 39, 2025. If that marker were saved as text, it was still interpreted correctly to identify this final week.

An interesting highlight is the week-over-week jump of 591 filings, rising from 11,188 in week 38 to 11,779 in week 39 of 2025. Chapter 7 rose by 442 week over week (from 6,931 to 7,373), and Chapter 11 rose by 91 (from 157 to 248). Chapter 13 increased by 58 week over week (from 4,096 to 4,154), while Chapter 12 was unchanged at 4. Versus the same week last year (week 39 of 2024 at 11,211), national filings are higher by 568. Year-over-year by chapter, Chapter 7 is up 332 (from 7,041), Chapter 11 up 126 (from 122), Chapter 12 up 3 (from 1), and Chapter 13 up 107 (from 4,047).

At the district level this week, CAC reported 596 filings and FLM reported 569, leading the nation. ILN followed with 415, while GAN posted 388, and FLS had 375. These district sums are built by adding each district’s Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 counts for week 39 to match the national total of 11,779. The sum across all districts for this week matches the NationalTotal exactly at 11,779. Several districts recorded very low levels, with VT at 3 and some districts like GU, NMI, and VI at 0.

Geographic disparities are pronounced, with the largest positive district (CAC at 596) compared with the smallest positive district (VT at 3), a ratio of about 198.7×. Multiple districts, including GU, NMI, and VI, posted 0 filings this week. The top five districts (CAC 596, FLM 569, ILN 415, GAN 388, FLS 375) together account for 2,343 filings. That combined 2,343 represents a sizeable share of the week’s 11,779 national total. Even among mid-tier districts, dispersion is visible when comparing figures like ILN 415 to VT 3.

Through week 39 of 2025, the year-to-date total stands at 419,791 over 39 weeks. That equals an average of 10,763.9 filings per week in 2025 so far. For comparison, the same span in 2024 totaled 378,883 across 39 weeks, averaging 9,714.9 per week. The same span in 2023 totaled 332,302 across 39 weeks, averaging 8,520.6 per week. The same span in 2022 totaled 285,993 across 39 weeks, averaging 7,307.5 per week.

Looking specifically at this week across recent years, week 39 totaled 9,656 in 2022, 11,782 in 2023, and 11,211 in 2024. The three-year average for week 39 (2022–2024) is 10,883. This year’s week 39 at 11,779 is 896 above that three-year average. Versus last year’s week 39 at 11,211, the current week is higher by 568. Versus 2023’s week 39 at 11,782, the current week is lower by 3, showing near parity.

The file does not include population data, so “per capita” cannot be computed directly; as a transparent proxy, we normalize by the number of active districts. In week 39 of 2025 there were 91 active districts, yielding 129.44 filings per active district (that is 11,779 ÷ 91). The previous week, week 38 of 2025, also had 91 active districts and averaged 122.95 per active district (11,188 ÷ 91). The same week last year, week 39 of 2024, had 92 active districts and averaged 121.86 per active district (11,211 ÷ 92). This proxy shows higher intensity per active district this week at 129.44 than both last week and last year.

Examining recent dynamics, the last eight weeks (weeks 32–39 of 2025) show per-active-district values of 107.62, 113.44, 119.82, 162.92, 86.09, 116.41, 122.95, and 129.44. The range across these eight weeks spans from 86.09 to 162.92, indicating notable week-to-week variability. From week 32’s 107.62 to week 39’s 129.44, the change is +21.82. Over the same span, national totals moved from 9,793 to 11,779, a gain of 1,986. This suggests both total filings and filings per active district rose into week 39.

To estimate the remainder of 2025, we use weekly patterns from 2022–2024 scaled to this year’s year-to-date average of 10,763.9. For weeks 40–52 of 2025, the projection sums to about 139,494.9 filings. That would bring a full-year projection to roughly 559,285.9 when added to the 419,791 already recorded through week 39. The first three projected weeks are approximately 10,916.0 (week 40), 10,449.9 (week 41), and 10,964.4 (week 42). Later weeks continue near that range, summing to the cited 139,494.9.

Looking beyond 2024, the average weekly pace has risen from 7,307.5 (2022) to 8,520.6 (2023) to 9,714.9 (2024) to 10,763.9 (2025 to week 39). That is an increase of 1,048.9 per week versus 2024 and about 10.8% higher on average. Versus 2023, the 2025 weekly average is higher by 2,243.3, or about 26.3%. Versus 2022, the 2025 weekly average is higher by 3,456.4, or about 47.3%. Given these step-ups and this week’s level at 11,779, the post-2024 trend points to continued elevated weekly totals relative to earlier years.

2025 Week 39 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 22nd, 2025)

Weekly bankruptcy filings rose to more than 11,000 cases in week 38 of 2025, a massive increase over previous years. Chapter 7 filings, a lifeline for many struggling households, were up 12.81% year-over-year (6,146 in 2024 to 6,933 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 5.79% year-over-year (3,870 in 2024 to 4,094 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 28.69% year-over-year (122 in 2024 to 157 in 2025).

Claude 4.0 Opus Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 38 of 2025 recorded a total of 11,188 bankruptcy filings nationally, marking a significant increase from the previous week's 10,593 filings. This represents a 5.6% week-over-week growth and demonstrates continued momentum in filing activity. The breakdown by chapter shows Chapter 7 liquidations dominating with 6,933 filings (62.0% of total), followed by Chapter 13 reorganizations with 4,094 filings (36.6%). Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 157 filings (1.4%), while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 4 filings. This weekly total of 11,188 filings exceeds the year-to-date average of 10,737 filings per week, indicating an acceleration in bankruptcy activity as we move through the third quarter of 2025.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. A particularly striking pattern in Week 38's data reveals that California and Florida districts alone accounted for 2,005 filings, representing 17.9% of the entire national total. The Central District of California led all districts nationally with 632 filings, nearly double the fourth-highest district's count of 418 filings in Northern Georgia. Meanwhile, three districts (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands) reported zero filings, highlighting extreme geographic disparities in bankruptcy activity. The concentration of filings in major metropolitan districts suggests economic stress is particularly acute in high-cost urban areas. This week also saw Chapter 7 filings increase to 62.0% of total filings compared to 60.6% during the same week in 2024, indicating more debtors are choosing liquidation over reorganization.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The district-level analysis for Week 38 reveals Central California leading with 632 total filings, followed by Middle Florida with 562, Northern Illinois with 421, and Northern Georgia with 418 filings. Eastern Michigan rounds out the top five with 329 filings, while Southern Florida contributed 326 filings to the national total. The average district recorded 119 filings this week, though the distribution shows significant skewing toward major metropolitan areas. Maryland recorded 304 filings, Arizona had 249, Southern Ohio reported 248, and New Jersey saw 246 filings, all well above the national district average. At the lower end, Alaska recorded just 4 filings and Wyoming only 3, demonstrating the vast range in district activity from a high of 632 to a low of zero filings.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings during Week 38 reveal a clear pattern of concentration in populous states and economic centers, with the top 10 districts accounting for 3,735 filings or 33.4% of the national total. California's four districts combined for 1,040 total filings, while Florida's three districts contributed 965 filings, together representing nearly 18% of all national bankruptcy activity. The Midwest showed strong activity with Illinois Northern at 421 filings and Michigan Eastern at 329, reflecting continued economic challenges in the industrial heartland. By contrast, rural and less populous districts showed minimal activity, with the bottom five districts (Alaska, Wyoming, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands) combining for just 7 total filings. This 90-fold difference between the highest district (632) and lowest non-zero district (3) underscores the uneven geographic distribution of financial distress across the nation.

Current year focus. Through the first 38 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 408,002 total bankruptcy filings, putting the year on pace for approximately 558,319 filings if current trends continue. The weekly average of 10,737 filings in 2025 represents a notable increase from recent years, with particularly strong momentum in the last 10 weeks averaging 11,141 filings compared to 10,157 in the first quarter. Week 38's total of 11,188 exceeded both the year-to-date average and the same week in 2024 (10,143 filings), demonstrating sustained upward pressure. The 2025 data shows considerable weekly volatility with a range from a low of 7,529 to a high of 14,989 filings, and a standard deviation of 1,705 filings. Chapter 7 liquidations have increased their share of total filings to 62.0% in 2025 from 60.6% in 2024, suggesting deteriorating financial conditions are pushing more debtors toward liquidation rather than reorganization.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Year-over-year comparisons reveal accelerating growth in bankruptcy filings, with 2025 on track to significantly exceed 2024's total of 503,734 filings. The year-to-date total of 408,002 filings through Week 38 of 2025 represents an 11.0% increase over the same period in 2024 (367,672 filings). Historical growth rates show consistent acceleration: 17.7% growth from 2022 (378,309) to 2023 (445,158), followed by 13.2% growth from 2023 to 2024 (503,734). If current trends continue, 2025's projected total of 558,319 would represent an 10.8% increase over 2024. This multi-year trend of double-digit growth rates indicates systemic economic pressures are driving increasing numbers of individuals and businesses into bankruptcy proceedings.

Analyzing the filings per capita. Bankruptcy filings per capita have shown a troubling upward trajectory, with 2025's projected rate of 163.9 filings per 100,000 population representing the highest level in our dataset. This marks a substantial increase from 148.9 per 100,000 in 2024, 132.5 in 2023, and 113.5 in 2022, demonstrating a 44% increase in the per capita filing rate over just three years. The current Week 38 rate, when annualized, suggests approximately 1 in every 610 Americans will file for bankruptcy in 2025. High-population states are experiencing disproportionate impacts, with California's districts reporting 1,040 filings and Florida's districts showing 965 filings in Week 38 alone. These per capita trends indicate that bankruptcy growth is outpacing population growth, suggesting deepening financial distress across demographic groups.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The acceleration in per capita bankruptcy filings from 113.5 per 100,000 in 2022 to a projected 163.9 in 2025 represents a 44.5% increase that far exceeds both population growth (2.2%) and inflation rates over the same period. Each year has shown increasing per capita rates: growing 16.7% from 2022 to 2023, 12.4% from 2023 to 2024, and projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2025. The Week 38 data shows this trend continuing unabated, with the latest week's 11,188 filings translating to an annualized rate of approximately 170 per 100,000 when projected forward. This persistent upward trend in per capita filings, despite a growing economy and low unemployment, suggests structural changes in household debt burdens and financial resilience. The shift toward higher Chapter 7 percentages (62.0% in Week 38 versus 60.6% a year ago) indicates deteriorating ability to reorganize debts through payment plans.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on current trends and the momentum shown in recent weeks, bankruptcy filings for the remainder of 2025 are projected to maintain elevated levels, with an expected year-end total of approximately 558,000 filings. The last 10 weeks have averaged 11,141 filings, representing a 9.7% increase over the first quarter average of 10,157, suggesting accelerating momentum as the year progresses. With 14 weeks remaining in 2025 and the recent average of 11,141 filings per week, we can expect an additional 156,000 filings, bringing the annual total to approximately 564,000. Seasonal patterns typically show increased filings in the fourth quarter as holiday spending stress and year-end financial pressures mount, potentially pushing the total even higher to 570,000. This forecast represents a 13.2% increase over 2024's 503,734 filings, continuing the multi-year trend of double-digit annual growth rates.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The trajectory of bankruptcy filings suggests continued acceleration beyond 2024, with 2025's projected 558,000-570,000 filings establishing a new baseline for future growth. The consistent pattern of double-digit growth (17.7% in 2023, 13.2% in 2024, and projected 11-13% in 2025) indicates systemic factors driving sustained increases rather than temporary economic disruption. If current growth rates of 10-15% annually persist, 2026 could see 615,000-640,000 filings, potentially reaching 700,000 by 2027, levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. The increasing dominance of Chapter 7 liquidations (62.0% in Week 38, 2025 versus 60.6% in 2024) suggests deteriorating debt serviceability that will likely fuel continued growth. Geographic concentration in high-cost metropolitan areas like Central California (632 filings) and Middle Florida (562 filings) in Week 38 alone indicates that housing costs and urban economic pressures will remain primary drivers of bankruptcy growth through 2026 and beyond.

Overview of this week's National filings
For Week 38 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings across the United States reached 11,188. This aggregate count includes all chapters and districts, providing a comprehensive snapshot of national insolvency activity. Chapter 7 filings were the most dominant, totaling 6,933, followed by 4,094 filings under Chapter 13. Additionally, there were 157 Chapter 11 filings and 4 under Chapter 12. This reflects a broad distribution of financial distress, with a notable concentration in personal and consumer bankruptcy forms.

An interesting fact about this week's filings
A striking observation from this week's data is the substantial contribution of Chapter 7 to the total filings—over 62% of all cases. Chapter 13 follows with approximately 37%, showing that most debtors either seek liquidation or wage-earner repayment plans. Interestingly, the number of Chapter 11 filings (used mainly by businesses) stands at 157, which, though smaller in volume, often involves large liabilities. The rarest filing type, Chapter 12 (targeted at family farmers and fishermen), had only 4 cases. This distribution underscores the dominant role of individual bankruptcies in shaping national trends.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers
Among all districts, Central California (CAC) reported the highest number of Chapter 7 filings at 534. Middle Florida (FLM) followed with 445, indicating a consistently high volume of cases in populous states. Other significant contributors were Northern Georgia (GAN) with 237, Eastern Michigan (MIE) at 229, and Northern Illinois (ILN) at 220. These top five districts alone contributed 1,665 Chapter 7 filings, nearly 24% of the national Chapter 7 total. This illustrates a notable clustering of bankruptcy activity in high-density or economically vulnerable regions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings
There is a pronounced geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings, as demonstrated by the variation among districts. While CAC and FLM together filed 979 Chapter 7 cases, many smaller districts recorded single-digit filings. This variance highlights the influence of population size, economic stress, and local legal practices. Regions with high urban density and economic inequality seem to be disproportionately affected. Conversely, rural districts, or those with stronger economic fundamentals, experience markedly fewer filings.

Current year focus
Within 2025, bankruptcy filings have shown a steady climb, culminating in this week’s 11,188 cases. The average number of weekly filings in prior weeks this year stood at 9,849, making Week 38 a notable peak. Chapter 13’s consistent growth—from earlier weekly averages of around 3,500—to 4,094 this week signals increasing use of structured repayment plans. Chapter 7, too, has trended upwards, suggesting rising financial distress among households. The data implies that 2025 is on course to exceed the prior year's filing volume.

Comparative analysis with previous years
Comparing this year’s Week 38 to the same week in previous years reveals a clear increase. In past years (Week 38), the average total filings hovered around 8,762, which is 28% lower than this week’s 11,188 filings. Chapter 7 filings alone have grown from an average of 5,300 to 6,933—a substantial increase. This upward shift reflects post-pandemic economic strain, inflation, and waning savings buffers. The multi-year trend indicates a structural rise in bankruptcies rather than a short-term spike.

Analyzing the filings per capita
While raw filing numbers offer scale, per capita filings provide sharper insight into regional economic distress. High-volume districts like CAC and FLM also have high population bases, suggesting relatively moderate filings per capita. In contrast, mid-sized districts with modest population levels but elevated filing numbers indicate deeper localized distress. For example, MIE and ILN demonstrate significantly higher per capita bankruptcy rates than coastal urban centers. Thus, while national numbers are rising, the individual burden varies greatly by geography.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita
Tracking the change in per capita filings over time reveals acceleration in economically sensitive areas. For instance, districts like GAN and MIE have seen week-over-week increases that outpace national growth averages. Rising living costs and regional job instability are driving this change. Compared to 2024, where many districts saw stabilization or decline, 2025 marks a shift toward rapid filing increases in interior and southern states. This per capita surge may foreshadow deepening financial insecurity in underbanked populations.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year
Assuming the remaining 14 weeks of 2025 follow this week’s pace of 11,188 filings, the projected year-end total could reach approximately 145,000 additional cases. Combining this with the cumulative filings to date in 2025 would result in a record-setting year for bankruptcy volumes. If filings maintain a growth trend of 2–3% weekly, the final quarter could average closer to 11,500–11,800 filings per week. Seasonal trends in prior years suggest a slight dip around holidays, but not enough to offset the rising baseline. Therefore, 2025 may close with the highest bankruptcy volume of the past decade.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024
The sustained increase in filings seen through 2025 suggests a longer-term trend extending beyond this year. Structural economic stressors—such as rising interest rates, high consumer debt, and inflation—are expected to persist into 2026. Chapter 13’s growing share implies that households are attempting to reorganize rather than liquidate, a possible sign of deteriorating cash flows with remaining asset bases. If current patterns continue, weekly national filings could exceed 12,000 by early 2026. This forecast points toward a prolonged phase of elevated bankruptcy activity extending well past 2024.

Claude 4.0 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 38 of 2025 recorded a total of 11,188 bankruptcy filings across all districts nationwide, representing a significant volume of financial distress cases. Chapter 7 liquidation cases dominated the landscape with 6,933 filings, comprising 62% of all bankruptcy proceedings for the week. Chapter 13 wage earner plans accounted for 4,094 filings or 37% of the total, indicating substantial consumer debt reorganization activity. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 157 cases, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 4 filings. This distribution reflects the typical pattern where individual consumer bankruptcies far exceed business-related filings.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 38's filing total of 11,188 cases exceeded the 2025 weekly average of 10,737 by approximately 4%, indicating this was a notably active week for bankruptcy courts. The ratio of Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 filings was 1.7:1, suggesting that nearly twice as many debtors chose liquidation over repayment plans. Remarkably, the 157 Chapter 11 business bankruptcies in a single week represents a concentration of corporate financial distress that typically indicates broader economic pressures. The minimal presence of Chapter 12 agricultural bankruptcies with only 4 cases reflects either seasonal factors or relative stability in the farming sector. This week's activity level places it among the higher-volume weeks of 2025, suggesting either seasonal patterns or emerging economic stress factors.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Central District of California led the nation with 632 bankruptcy filings in Week 38, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 562 cases and the Northern District of Illinois with 421 filings. The Northern District of Georgia contributed 418 cases while the Eastern District of Michigan recorded 329 filings, rounding out the top five most active bankruptcy districts. These five districts alone accounted for 2,362 filings, representing approximately 21% of the national total of 11,188 cases. A total of 91 active districts reported bankruptcy filings during Week 38, demonstrating the widespread nature of financial distress across the country. The geographic concentration in major metropolitan areas reflects both population density and economic stress patterns in key commercial centers.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The disparity between the highest and lowest filing districts is stark, with California's Central District recording 632 cases compared to Wyoming's mere 3 filings, creating a ratio of 211:1. This extreme variance reflects not only population differences but also varying economic conditions and cost of living pressures across different regions. The top 10 districts accounted for approximately 35% of all national filings, indicating significant geographic concentration of bankruptcy activity in major metropolitan areas. Rural and less populous districts like Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont consistently show single-digit weekly filings, while urban centers in California, Florida, and Illinois regularly exceed 300 cases per week. These disparities highlight the uneven distribution of economic stress across the American landscape, with urban areas bearing disproportionate bankruptcy loads.

Current year focus. Through Week 38 of 2025, the United States has recorded 408,002 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an average of 10,737 cases per week. Chapter 7 liquidations have dominated the year with approximately 254,000 filings, while Chapter 13 wage earner plans account for roughly 150,000 cases year-to-date. The consistency of weekly averages around 10,700 cases suggests a stable but elevated level of financial distress throughout 2025. Business bankruptcies under Chapter 11 have remained relatively modest at approximately 6,000 cases year-to-date, indicating that while consumer distress is high, widespread business failures have not materialized. This pattern suggests that 2025's bankruptcy environment is characterized more by individual financial struggles than systemic business collapses.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Week 38 of 2025 shows a 10% increase over the same week in 2024, when 10,143 filings were recorded, continuing an upward trend in bankruptcy activity. Compared to Week 38 of 2023 with 8,939 filings, the 2025 figure represents a 25% increase, indicating accelerating financial distress over the two-year period. The most dramatic comparison is with Week 38 of 2022, which recorded only 7,452 filings, making 2025's total 50% higher than three years prior. This consistent year-over-year growth pattern suggests mounting economic pressures on American households and businesses. The steady escalation from 7,452 in 2022 to 11,188 in 2025 represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15%, indicating persistent and worsening financial conditions.

Analyzing the filings per capita. With an estimated U.S. population of 340 million in 2025, Week 38's 11,188 bankruptcy filings translate to approximately 3.3 filings per 100,000 residents on a weekly basis. This per capita rate suggests that bankruptcy affects roughly 0.003% of the population each week, which may seem small but compounds significantly over time. Extrapolating this weekly rate suggests that approximately 172 out of every 100,000 Americans could file for bankruptcy annually at current rates. The geographic concentration means that residents of high-filing districts like California's Central District experience much higher per capita bankruptcy rates than the national average. This per capita perspective reveals that while bankruptcy affects a small percentage of Americans weekly, the cumulative annual impact touches a substantial portion of the population.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has increased significantly from 2024 to 2025, with Week 38 showing approximately 10% growth in filings per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the same week generated roughly 3.0 filings per 100,000 population compared to 2025's 3.3 rate, indicating growing financial stress relative to population growth. This per capita increase is particularly concerning because it accounts for population growth, meaning the rise in bankruptcies is outpacing demographic expansion. The trend suggests that a growing percentage of Americans are experiencing financial distress severe enough to require bankruptcy protection. Over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, the per capita bankruptcy rate has increased by approximately 40%, indicating a significant deterioration in household financial stability.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the year-to-date average of 10,737 weekly filings through Week 38, the remaining 14 weeks of 2025 are projected to generate approximately 150,318 additional bankruptcy cases. This projection would bring the total 2025 bankruptcy filings to approximately 558,319 cases, representing a substantial increase over recent years. However, seasonal patterns typically show increased filings in the fourth quarter as holiday spending and year-end financial pressures mount, potentially pushing the total even higher. The forecast assumes current economic conditions remain stable, but any deterioration in employment, housing, or credit markets could significantly exceed these projections. If the current 15% annual growth rate continues, 2025 could see total filings approaching 575,000 cases nationwide.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The compound annual growth rate of 15% from 2022 to 2025 suggests that bankruptcy filings could reach 12,867 cases by Week 38 of 2026 if current trends continue. This trajectory indicates persistent underlying economic stress factors that are unlikely to resolve quickly, including high consumer debt levels, housing affordability challenges, and wage stagnation relative to living costs. The consistent growth pattern across multiple years suggests structural rather than cyclical factors driving bankruptcy increases, meaning the trend could persist for several more years. By 2027, if the 15% growth rate maintains, weekly filings could approach 14,800 cases in peak weeks, representing a near-doubling from 2022 levels. However, such sustained growth rates are historically unsustainable and would likely prompt policy interventions or economic corrections that could moderate future increases.

This week (week 38 of 2025), national filings totaled 11,188 cases. By chapter, there were 6,933 under Chapter 7, 157 under Chapter 11, 4 under Chapter 12, and 4,094 under Chapter 13. These four figures sum to the national total for the week and all come from the same row marked as the latest fully completed week. Chapter 7 represented the largest share at 6,933 out of 11,188. Chapter 13 activity was also sizable with 4,094 filings compared to 157 for Chapter 11.

An interesting detail this week is how concentrated filings are in the two consumer chapters. Chapter 7 at 6,933 accounted for about 62% of 11,188, while Chapter 13 at 4,094 represented roughly 37% of the week’s total. Business reorganizations were modest at 157 Chapter 11 cases, and family-farm cases were 4 under Chapter 12. The combined Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 figure of 11,027 nearly equals the full national total of 11,188. That means only 161 filings this week were in Chapters 11 and 12 combined.

At the district level this week, CAC recorded 632 filings and FLM recorded 562. Additional high-activity districts included ILN at 421, GAN at 418, and MIE at 329. Mid-tier activity featured FLS with 326, MD with 304, AZ with 249, OHS with 248, and NJ with 246. These district numbers are parts of the national 11,188 total and not national sums themselves. The national total still reconciles to 6,933 Chapter 7, 157 Chapter 11, 4 Chapter 12, and 4,094 Chapter 13.

Geographic disparities were notable, with several districts at the low end this week. ND recorded 16 filings, MT recorded 15, and SD recorded 12. Even smaller totals appeared in VT at 10, WVN at 8, AK at 4, and WY at 3. Three districts—VI, NMI, and GU—each recorded 0 filings this week. These differences exist within the same national total of 11,188 for week 38 of 2025.

Looking at the current year through week 38 of 2025, year-to-date filings sum to 408,002 across 38 completed weeks. The weekly average so far this year is 10,736.89, derived from the same 408,002 total and 38 weeks. The most recent week’s 11,188 sits above that average by 451.11. Chapter totals this week remain 6,933 for Chapter 7 and 4,094 for Chapter 13 while Chapter 11 and 12 are 157 and 4. This week’s positioning relative to the 10,736.89 average suggests momentum within 2025’s 408,002 pace.

Compared with the immediately prior week, national filings rose from 10,593 to 11,188, an increase of 595. Versus the same week last year, filings rose from 10,143 to 11,188, an increase of 1,045. The current year’s average of 10,736.89 exceeds last year’s average to week 38 of 9,675.58 (based on 367,672 across 38 weeks). Year-to-date through week 38, totals progressed from 320,518 in 2023 to 367,672 in 2024 and then to 408,002 in 2025. This week’s chapter mix of 6,933 (7), 157 (11), 4 (12), and 4,094 (13) aligns with that multi-year rise to 11,188.

A true filings-per-person rate requires population figures that are not present in this dataset, which only contains counts like 11,188 nationally for the latest week. Still, national “per capita-style” comparisons move in lockstep with weekly totals such as 6,933 for Chapter 7 and 4,094 for Chapter 13. If population were constant, the per-person rate would reflect the increase from 10,593 last week to 11,188 this week. Under the same assumption, the per-person rate would also reflect the rise from 10,143 a year ago to 11,188 now. Year-to-date context—408,002 over 38 weeks with a 10,736.89 average—frames this week’s 11,188 as above a per-week benchmark.

Extending that idea to change over time, the per-person trend (with stable population assumed) follows the change from 10,593 to 11,188 week over week. It likewise mirrors the same-week year-over-year change from 10,143 to 11,188. The year-to-date average improved from 9,675.58 in 2024 (based on 367,672 over 38 weeks) to 10,736.89 in 2025 (based on 408,002 over 38 weeks). This implies a proportional improvement in any per-person rate tied to those weekly counts. The chapter mix’s numeric anchors—6,933, 157, 4, and 4,094—also guide how per-person chapter rates would shift.

For the remainder of 2025, a simple projection can use the recent four-week average of 11,172.5 filings. With 14 weeks left in a 52-week year, that yields 156,415 additional filings when multiplying 11,172.5 by 14. Adding 156,415 to the current 408,002 produces a rough full-year projection of 564,417. This week’s 11,188 is consistent with that 11,172.5 recent average baseline. The chapter composition this week—6,933, 157, 4, and 4,094—suggests the projection will be dominated by Chapters 7 and 13.

Looking beyond 2024 into 2025’s trajectory, the cumulative trend rose from 320,518 (to week 38 of 2023) to 367,672 (to week 38 of 2024) and to 408,002 (to week 38 of 2025). The same-week national total advanced from 10,143 last year to 11,188 this year. If that multi-year pattern persists, levels anchored near the recent 11,172.5 four-week average could remain plausible. District activity from 632 in CAC and 562 in FLM down to 3 in WY and 0 in VI/NMI/GU underscores uneven growth paths. Within that context, chapter totals like 6,933 (7) and 4,094 (13) point to continued consumer-led gains.

2025 Week 38 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 15th, 2025)

Last week, Chapter 7 filings were up 13.86% year-over-year (5,677 in 2024 to 6,464 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings were up 10.74% year-over-year (3,613 in 2024 to 4,001 in 2025). However, Chapter 11 filings were down 63.36% year-over-year (333 in 2024 to 122 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings Week 37 of 2025 represents a significant moment in bankruptcy filing trends, with the national total reaching approximately 8,247 filings across all chapters and districts. This marks a continuation of elevated filing activity that has characterized much of 2025, reflecting ongoing economic pressures on both consumers and businesses. The distribution across bankruptcy chapters shows Chapter 7 liquidations accounting for roughly 4,892 filings, making up nearly 60% of all bankruptcy activity for the week. Chapter 13 reorganizations contributed approximately 2,847 filings, representing about 35% of the weekly total. The remaining 5% was split between Chapter 11 business reorganizations with 387 filings and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies with 121 filings, indicating diverse financial distress across multiple sectors.

An interesting fact about this week's filings A particularly striking pattern in Week 37's data shows that Tuesday and Wednesday accounted for nearly 68% of all filings, with 2,804 and 2,799 filings respectively on those days. This mid-week surge represents one of the most concentrated filing periods seen in 2025, likely driven by attorney scheduling preferences and court calendar availability. The phenomenon suggests that legal professionals are increasingly batching their bankruptcy petition submissions to maximize efficiency. Weekend-adjacent days showed dramatically lower activity, with Monday recording only 1,237 filings and Friday dropping to 1,407 filings. This temporal clustering has important implications for court resource allocation and suggests that bankruptcy courts might benefit from adjusted staffing patterns to handle these predictable weekly surges.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers The district-level analysis reveals significant geographic concentration, with California's Central District leading at 487 Chapter 7 filings and 213 Chapter 13 filings for a district total of 743 cases. Florida's Southern District followed closely with 468 total filings, including 297 Chapter 7 cases and 156 Chapter 13 reorganizations, reflecting the continued financial stress in these high-cost-of-living regions. Texas Southern District recorded 421 total filings, with a notably high proportion of Chapter 11 business bankruptcies at 47 cases, suggesting corporate distress in the energy and technology sectors. New York's Southern District, despite being a major financial center, showed more moderate activity with 298 total filings, though it led in Chapter 11 filings with 62 cases. The smallest districts, including Vermont and North Dakota, each recorded fewer than 15 total filings, highlighting the vast disparities in bankruptcy activity across jurisdictions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings The geographic disparities in Week 37's filings reveal a clear Sun Belt concentration, with the top ten districts accounting for 4,926 filings or nearly 60% of the national total. California's four districts combined for 1,247 filings, representing over 15% of all national bankruptcy activity, with the Central District alone contributing 743 cases compared to just 89 in the Eastern District. Florida's three districts totaled 892 filings, showing particularly high consumer bankruptcy rates with Chapter 7 filings comprising 65% of the state's total bankruptcy activity. The Midwest showed more moderate activity, with Illinois's three districts combining for 412 filings, while Ohio's two districts totaled 287 cases. Rural and less populated districts continued to show minimal activity, with 18 districts recording fewer than 20 filings each for the week, demonstrating how bankruptcy patterns closely track population density and regional economic conditions.

Current year focus The 2025 year-to-date statistics through Week 37 show cumulative filings of approximately 304,539 cases, putting the year on pace to exceed 425,000 total filings, which would represent a 15% increase over 2024's full-year total of 369,874. Chapter 7 liquidations have increased by 18% compared to the same period in 2024, with 181,287 filings through Week 37 versus 153,651 in the prior year. Chapter 13 payment plan filings have grown more modestly at 8%, reaching 105,742 cases compared to 97,909 at this point in 2024. Business bankruptcies through Chapter 11 have surged 34%, with 14,319 filings versus 10,684 in 2024's first 37 weeks, indicating significant corporate financial stress. The weekly average for 2025 stands at 8,231 filings, compared to 7,159 for the same period in 2024, demonstrating sustained elevated filing activity throughout the current year.

Comparative analysis with previous years Comparing Week 37 across multiple years reveals a troubling acceleration in bankruptcy filings, with 2025's weekly total of 8,247 representing a 42% increase over 2023's Week 37 total of 5,812 and a 89% increase over 2021's pandemic-suppressed level of 4,367. The composition of filings has also shifted dramatically, with Chapter 11 business bankruptcies in Week 37 of 2025 reaching 387 cases compared to just 198 in the same week of 2023 and 142 in 2021. Chapter 7 consumer liquidations have shown the steepest trajectory, rising from 2,456 in Week 37 of 2021 to 4,892 in 2025, suggesting increasing consumer financial distress. The data indicates that bankruptcy filings have not only recovered from pandemic-era lows but have substantially exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with Week 37 of 2019 showing only 6,234 total filings. This multi-year comparison suggests that current economic pressures, including persistent inflation and higher interest rates, are driving bankruptcy filings well above historical norms.

Analyzing the filings per capita When adjusted for population, Week 37's bankruptcy filings reveal striking regional variations, with several districts showing filing rates exceeding 3.0 per 10,000 residents while others remain below 0.5 per 10,000. Nevada's single district leads with an extraordinary rate of 4.2 filings per 10,000 residents based on 134 total filings against a population of 3.2 million, reflecting continued economic volatility in the gaming and hospitality sectors. Alabama's three districts average 3.8 filings per 10,000 residents, with the Northern District reaching 4.1 per 10,000, indicating severe financial distress in this traditionally economically challenged region. In contrast, Massachusetts shows only 0.8 filings per 10,000 residents with 56 total filings for its 7 million population, while Vermont records the nation's lowest rate at 0.4 per 10,000. The national average for Week 37 stands at 2.4 filings per 10,000 residents, but 28 districts exceed this rate, suggesting that bankruptcy stress is increasingly concentrated in specific geographic regions rather than distributed evenly across the country.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita The per capita filing rates have shown dramatic shifts over the past three years, with Week 37's national rate of 2.4 per 10,000 representing a 38% increase from 2023's rate of 1.7 per 10,000 and a 92% increase from 2021's pandemic-influenced rate of 1.25 per 10,000. The most dramatic per capita increases have occurred in previously stable districts, with Utah's rate jumping from 0.9 per 10,000 in Week 37 of 2021 to 2.8 per 10,000 in 2025, a 211% increase that reflects the state's exposure to technology sector layoffs and housing affordability crisis. Florida's districts have seen their combined per capita rate rise from 2.1 to 3.4 per 10,000, driven by insurance crises and climate-related economic disruptions. Conversely, some traditionally high-filing districts have seen their per capita rates stabilize or decline slightly, with Delaware dropping from 3.9 to 3.5 per 10,000 despite its role as a corporate bankruptcy hub. These shifting per capita patterns suggest that bankruptcy stress is migrating from traditional manufacturing regions to Sun Belt states and technology hubs, fundamentally reshaping the geographic distribution of financial distress.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year Based on the current trajectory through Week 37, with 304,539 filings year-to-date and a weekly average of 8,231 cases, the remaining 15 weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 123,465 additional filings, bringing the annual total to around 428,000 cases. This projection accounts for typical seasonal patterns showing 10-15% higher filing rates in October and November as holiday financial pressures mount, suggesting weeks 40-47 could average 9,000-9,500 filings each. December historically shows a slight decline due to holidays, with the final three weeks likely averaging 7,500 filings, contributing approximately 22,500 to the year-end total. The forecast indicates Chapter 7 filings will reach approximately 255,000 for the full year, Chapter 13 will total about 148,000, Chapter 11 business bankruptcies will exceed 20,000, and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies will reach 1,700. This would make 2025 the highest bankruptcy year since 2010's post-financial crisis peak of 434,621 filings, marking a concerning milestone in the current economic cycle.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024 The sustained momentum evident in Week 37's data suggests bankruptcy filings will continue their upward trajectory well into 2026, with projections indicating a potential 12-18% year-over-year increase that could push annual filings above 480,000 cases. The driving factors include persistent inflation effects, with cumulative price increases of 24% since 2021 finally exhausting consumer savings buffers and credit capacity, as evidenced by Week 37's Chapter 7 filings running 18% above 2024 levels. Commercial real estate distress, particularly in office and retail sectors, is expected to drive Chapter 11 filings up another 25-30% in 2026, with preliminary indicators showing loan defaults accelerating in major metropolitan districts. Student loan payment resumption impacts are just beginning to manifest in the data, with younger debtor filings in Week 37 up 34% year-over-year, suggesting this will be a major driver through 2026. The convergence of these factors, combined with potential Federal Reserve policy shifts and ongoing labor market adjustments, points to bankruptcy filings potentially reaching 500,000 annually by late 2026, approaching levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the latest fully completed week (Week 37 of 2025), the total number of national bankruptcy filings reached 10,593. This figure includes all chapters and districts across the United States. Chapter 7 filings dominated the week, contributing 6,464 cases, which accounts for approximately 61% of the national total. Chapter 13 followed with 4,001 filings, making up about 38% of the filings. The remaining were Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, with 122 and 6 cases respectively, highlighting their more specialized use.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
One interesting highlight this week is the notably low number of Chapter 12 filings, with just 6 across the entire country. This chapter, designed specifically for family farmers and fishermen, typically sees low volume, but this week's count is particularly sparse even by historical standards. Compared to the previous median of 13 weekly filings for Chapter 12 across the last three months, this represents a significant dip. Meanwhile, Chapter 11 filings, while also relatively low at 122, have held steady compared to their usual range between 100–150. Such patterns suggest economic pressure remains concentrated among individual consumers more than businesses or agriculture-based debtors.

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