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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 November 17th, 2025)

Last week saw another year-over-year increase, with consumer bankruptcies up about 8% and business bankruptcies climbing more than 20% compared with the same week last year. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 11.20% year-over-year (5,742 in 2024 to 6,385 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 3.53% year-over-year (3,600 in 2024 to 3,727 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 23.11% year-over-year (264 in 2024 to 325 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 national bankruptcy filing total for Week 46 of 2025 reached 10,442 cases, representing a significant milestone in the continuing upward trend of financial distress across the United States. Chapter 7 liquidation filings dominated the weekly total with 6,385 cases, accounting for 61.1% of all bankruptcy petitions filed during this period. Chapter 13 reorganization plans comprised 3,727 filings or 35.7% of the weekly total, while Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 325 cases. The remaining filings included just 5 Chapter 12 family farmer cases, highlighting the urban and suburban concentration of bankruptcy activity. This week's total of 10,442 filings represents a solid contribution to the year-to-date total of 501,489 cases through the first 46 weeks of 2025.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 46 of 2025 showed a notable recovery from the previous week's dip, with filings increasing by 344 cases or 3.4% compared to Week 45's total of 10,098. The week's filing pattern demonstrates remarkable consistency when compared to the four-week average of 11,777 cases, falling just slightly below this benchmark. Interestingly, Chapter 11 business bankruptcies at 325 cases maintained their elevated levels, suggesting continued stress in the commercial sector despite overall economic indicators. The distribution across bankruptcy chapters remained remarkably stable, with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 maintaining their traditional proportions of roughly 61% and 36% respectively. This consistency in chapter distribution suggests that the underlying causes of financial distress are affecting both consumers and businesses in predictable patterns.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Middle District of Florida led all federal districts with 482 total bankruptcy filings in Week 46, closely followed by the Central District of California with 479 cases. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 408 filings, while the Northern District of Georgia saw 371 cases, establishing these four districts as the primary centers of bankruptcy activity. The Eastern District of Michigan rounded out the top five with 346 filings, followed by the Northern District of Ohio with 284 cases. The Southern District of Florida contributed 265 filings, Arizona reported 251 cases, and the Eastern District of Virginia added 235 filings to the national total. These top nine districts alone accounted for approximately 3,321 filings, representing nearly 32% of the national total, highlighting the concentration of bankruptcy activity in major metropolitan areas.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. Regional analysis reveals significant geographic disparities in bankruptcy filing patterns, with the Midwest region leading at 2,169 filings or 20.8% of the national total for Week 46. The West region closely followed with 2,062 filings representing 19.7% of all cases, while the Southeast contributed 2,027 filings or 19.4% of the weekly total. The Northeast region showed the lowest activity with only 1,118 filings, accounting for just 10.7% of national bankruptcy petitions. These regional variations reflect different economic conditions, with higher filing rates in states experiencing manufacturing transitions, housing market stress, and varying unemployment levels. The remaining 29.4% of filings were distributed across other districts, demonstrating that while bankruptcy is concentrated in certain regions, financial distress remains a nationwide phenomenon affecting all areas of the country.

Current year focus. The year 2025 has emerged as a record-breaking period for bankruptcy filings, with the year-to-date total of 501,489 cases through Week 46 representing an 11.3% increase over the same period in 2024, which saw 450,550 filings. The weekly average for 2025 stands at 10,901 filings, substantially higher than 2024's full-year average of 9,687 cases per week. This sustained elevation in filing rates throughout 2025 indicates persistent financial challenges facing both consumers and businesses despite various economic recovery measures. The consistency of weekly filings, with most weeks ranging between 10,000 and 11,500 cases, suggests that the elevated filing rate has become the new baseline rather than a temporary spike. With six weeks remaining in 2025, the year is projected to end with approximately 572,151 total filings, which would represent a 13.6% increase over 2024's full-year total of 503,738 cases.

Comparative analysis with previous years. The bankruptcy filing trajectory from 2022 through 2025 reveals a concerning acceleration in financial distress, with annual totals rising from 378,317 in 2022 to 445,166 in 2023, then to 503,738 in 2024, and now projected to reach 572,151 in 2025. The year-over-year growth rates show a pattern of double-digit increases: 17.7% from 2022 to 2023, 13.2% from 2023 to 2024, and a projected 13.6% from 2024 to 2025. The average annual growth rate of 14.8% over this three-year period indicates sustained pressure on household and business finances. Week 46 of 2025 specifically showed an 8.7% increase compared to the same week in 2024, when 9,609 filings were recorded. This consistent pattern of growth across multiple years suggests systemic economic challenges rather than temporary disruptions, with the filing rate showing no signs of returning to pre-2022 levels.

Analyzing the filings per capita. The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has reached 147.9 filings per 100,000 people through Week 46 of 2025, based on an estimated U.S. population of 339 million. This represents a substantial increase from the 133.7 per 100,000 rate in 2024 and the 118.1 per 100,000 rate observed in 2023 for the same period. The weekly per capita filing rate now stands at 3.22 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.91 in 2024 and 2.57 in 2023, demonstrating a 25% increase over two years. These per capita metrics provide crucial context by accounting for population growth, revealing that the increase in bankruptcy filings is outpacing demographic expansion. The rising per capita rate indicates that a growing proportion of Americans are experiencing severe financial distress requiring bankruptcy protection.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The evolution of per capita bankruptcy rates from 2023 through 2025 reveals an alarming acceleration in the percentage of the population seeking bankruptcy protection, with rates increasing by approximately 10-11% annually. The jump from 118.1 per 100,000 in 2023 to 147.9 per 100,000 in 2025 represents a 25.2% total increase over just two years, suggesting that economic pressures are intensifying faster than traditional economic indicators might suggest. This per capita growth rate of roughly 0.65 additional filings per 100,000 people per week indicates that bankruptcy is becoming increasingly common across all demographic segments. The steady climb in per capita rates, without any quarters showing reversal, suggests that underlying economic stressors such as inflation, housing costs, and healthcare expenses continue to overwhelm household budgets. If current trends continue, the per capita rate could exceed 160 per 100,000 by the end of 2026, approaching levels not seen since the aftermath of major economic crises.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the recent four-week average of 11,777 filings per week, the remaining six weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 70,662 additional bankruptcy cases to the national total. This projection would bring the full-year 2025 total to approximately 572,151 filings, representing a 13.6% increase over 2024's total of 503,738 cases. The forecast assumes that holiday season factors and year-end dynamics will maintain filing rates near current levels rather than showing the typical December slowdown. Weekly filings are expected to fluctuate between 10,500 and 12,500 cases, with potential spikes around financial pressure points such as holiday shopping bills and year-end business closures. The projected year-end total of 572,151 would establish 2025 as having the highest bankruptcy filing count in recent years, setting a concerning precedent for 2026.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. Looking beyond 2025, bankruptcy filing trends suggest continued growth with projections indicating 629,366 total filings in 2026 assuming a conservative 10% growth rate, though an alternative scenario with declining growth rates projects 617,923 filings with an 8% increase. For 2027, projections range from 657,470 filings under a declining growth scenario to 692,302 under steady growth assumptions, potentially approaching 700,000 annual filings for the first time in over a decade. The sustained multi-year growth pattern averaging 14.8% annually from 2023-2025 indicates deep structural economic challenges that are unlikely to resolve quickly, suggesting that elevated filing rates will persist. Factors including persistent inflation, rising interest rates, depleted pandemic savings, and increasing consumer debt loads are expected to continue driving bankruptcy filings upward through at least 2027. Without significant economic intervention or improvement in household financial stability, the upward trajectory in bankruptcy filings appears set to continue, with weekly filing averages potentially exceeding 12,000-13,000 by 2027.

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

 Overview of this Week's National Filings
In the most recent fully completed week, Week 46 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings across the United States reached 10,442. This figure encompasses all chapters and districts and reflects the national bankruptcy landscape. Of these, Chapter 7 filings accounted for 6,385, indicating that liquidation remains the most frequently chosen form. Chapter 13 followed with 3,727 filings, while Chapter 11 had 325 and Chapter 12 recorded only 5. This distribution shows continued reliance on consumer bankruptcy types, particularly Chapter 7 and 13, which together make up over 95% of total filings.

An Interesting Fact About This Week’s Filings
One interesting observation is that the number of filings this week (10,442) is notably lower than the previous peak within the past five weeks. For example, in Week 44 of 2025, filings reached a high of 15,017, while Week 45 had 10,098. The sharp drop from that peak suggests fluctuations possibly driven by seasonal, policy, or economic shifts. Notably, Chapter 12 filings, which are typically rare and focus on family farmers or fishermen, held steady at 5 filings this week. This stability amid general variability implies unique filing behavior for certain bankruptcy types.

District-Level Filings Overview
District-level analysis shows wide variance in filing activity across regions. The highest number of filings was in the Middle District of Florida (FLM) with 482 filings, closely followed by the Central District of California (CAC) with 479. Illinois Northern (ILN) reported 408 filings, Georgia Northern (GAN) reported 371, and Michigan Eastern (MIE) had 346. These districts stand out for their consistently high weekly filing volumes, reflecting regional economic or demographic factors. On the other hand, some districts barely registered any filings.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There is a significant disparity in bankruptcy activity across districts. While districts like FLM and CAC had close to 500 filings, others such as Guam (GU) and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) had zero. The Virgin Islands (VI) recorded just one, and Alaska (AK) had only three filings. Vermont (VT), despite being a mainland state, saw only five filings. These disparities underline geographic economic differences and the localized impact of financial distress.

Current Year Focus
In the 2025 dataset through Week 46, filings show a generally stable but fluctuating trend. This week’s total of 10,442 filings is close to that of Week 45 (10,098) and Week 43 (10,435), but significantly lower than the spike seen in Week 44 (15,017). Chapter 7 filings this week accounted for approximately 61% of the total, while Chapter 13 made up 36%, consistent with the year’s distribution. The repeated shifts from week to week suggest responsiveness to external pressures like legal deadlines or economic changes. The current data shows that despite some peaks, the overall trend does not point to a sustained decline.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
When comparing 2025’s Week 46 to the same week in earlier years (not shown here but typically accessible in the dataset), the filings appear moderately elevated. For instance, if the average Week 46 filing in earlier years hovered around 9,000–10,000, this year’s figure of 10,442 indicates a slight uptick. This could point to growing financial pressures post-pandemic or in response to inflation and interest rate adjustments. The presence of 325 Chapter 11 filings, which typically involve businesses, might also reflect increased commercial strain. The trend suggests economic stress but not yet a crisis level compared to historic highs.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
Using district-level population data (not included in this CSV), we can approximate that districts like FLM and CAC show high per capita bankruptcy activity. With nearly 480+ filings each in a single week, even in densely populated districts, this is a significant per capita volume. In contrast, regions like Vermont or Alaska show minimal filings despite having small populations, keeping their per capita rates relatively low as well. However, zero filings in districts like NMI and GU indicate negligible per capita bankruptcy activity. This sharp contrast reinforces the uneven distribution of economic distress across U.S. regions.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over the last few weeks, national filing totals have fluctuated between 10,098 and 15,017, indicating short-term volatility in per capita rates. Week 44’s unusually high 15,017 filings, if adjusted for population, would reflect a temporary surge in economic hardship. This week's slightly reduced figure of 10,442 still keeps per capita filings higher than many historical norms. Chapter 7 continues to dominate, meaning more households opt for debt liquidation over restructuring. If this trend continues, the annual per capita bankruptcy rate might edge upward in 2025 compared to 2024.

Forecasting the Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year
Given the weekly average over the last five weeks (approximately 11,539 filings), we can project the remaining six weeks of the year (Weeks 47–52) to generate roughly 69,000 additional filings. If trends continue, the total annual bankruptcy filings in 2025 may exceed 590,000. Chapter 7 is expected to continue making up the majority of those, potentially totaling more than 375,000 filings. Chapter 13 may contribute close to 200,000 based on current proportions. Short-term forecasting assumes no major economic disruption or legal reform that might shift these patterns.

Forecasting Trends of Increasing Filings After 2024
Assuming that the post-2024 environment continues to see inflationary pressures, high consumer debt, and potential job losses, filings are likely to rise. The data from 2025 already suggests a mild increase from prior years, which could become more pronounced in 2026 and beyond. If Chapter 7 filings remain dominant at over 60%, we may see household liquidation rates increase unless credit conditions ease. Regional trends like high activity in FLM and CAC may spread to adjacent districts as economic pressures diffuse. Overall, unless mitigated by policy or recovery, bankruptcy filings are poised for continued gradual growth.

Claude 4.5 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics 

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 46 of 2025 recorded 10,442 total bankruptcy filings nationwide, representing a significant continuation of the upward trend observed throughout the year. Chapter 7 filings dominated with 6,385 cases, accounting for 61.1% of all filings, while Chapter 13 filings contributed 3,727 cases or 35.7% of the total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations numbered 325 cases, representing 3.1% of filings, with Chapter 12 agricultural cases recording just 5 filings. This week's total represents an 8.7% increase compared to the same week in 2024, when filings totaled 9,609.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 46, 2025 marks the highest filing volume ever recorded for this particular week in the available data history, surpassing 2024's previous record by 833 cases. The week showed remarkable consistency with the year's quarterly pattern, falling just below the fourth quarter average of 11,666 filings per week. Interestingly, recent weeks have demonstrated significant volatility, with Week 44 spiking to 15,017 filings before Week 45 dropped to 10,098, making Week 46's rebound to 10,442 part of an oscillating pattern. The ratio of Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 filings (1.7 to 1) remained stable compared to historical patterns, suggesting consistent consumer financial distress patterns. This week's filing rate translates to approximately 3.07 bankruptcy cases per 100,000 Americans, the highest per-capita rate for Week 46 across all years in the dataset.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Middle District of Florida led the nation with 482 filings in Week 46, followed closely by the Central District of California with 479 cases and the Northern District of Illinois with 408 filings. The Northern District of Georgia recorded 371 cases, while the Eastern District of Michigan processed 346 filings, rounding out the top five districts. The Northern District of Ohio contributed 284 cases, the Southern District of Florida had 265 filings, and Arizona recorded 251 cases. The Eastern District of Virginia (235 cases), Eastern District of California (234 cases), New Jersey (234 cases), Maryland (227 cases), Eastern District of Louisiana (223 cases), Southern District of Ohio (219 cases), and Northern District of Alabama (209 cases) completed the top 15 districts. These fifteen districts collectively accounted for approximately 40% of all national filings for the week.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The geographic distribution of bankruptcy filings reveals stark disparities, with the highest-volume district (Middle District of Florida at 482 filings) recording 60 times more cases than one of the lowest-volume districts (Montana at 8 filings). Florida's dominance is particularly noteworthy, with both the Middle and Southern districts ranking in the top seven nationally, collectively contributing 747 cases or 7.2% of all national filings. California also demonstrated significant concentration with three districts in the top ten, while major metropolitan regions in Illinois, Georgia, and Michigan showed elevated filing rates. The disparity between high-volume districts reflects population density differences, but also suggests varying regional economic conditions and debt burdens. Districts in the Southeast and Midwest showed particularly high filing rates relative to their populations, while some Western and Mountain states recorded substantially lower volumes.

Current year focus. Through Week 46 of 2025, the nation has recorded 501,489 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an average of 10,901 cases per week. This represents a robust 11.3% increase compared to the same 46-week period in 2024, when 450,550 cases were filed. The year has shown progressive quarterly growth, with the first quarter averaging 10,158 filings per week, followed by 11,092 in the second quarter, 11,043 in the third quarter, and 11,666 in the fourth quarter to date. Chapter 7 liquidations have consistently comprised approximately 61% of all filings throughout the year, while Chapter 13 reorganizations have held steady at around 36% of cases. The sustained elevation in filing volumes throughout 2025 suggests deepening financial stress among American households and businesses.

Comparative analysis with previous years. The multi-year trajectory shows consistent annual increases, with 2022 recording 378,317 total filings, 2023 reaching 445,166 cases (a 17.7% increase), and 2024 hitting 503,738 filings (a 13.2% increase). Week 46 specifically illustrates this upward trend, with 7,749 filings in 2022, 9,012 in 2023, 9,609 in 2024, and 10,442 in 2025. The year-over-year growth rate has been decelerating slightly, from 17.2% growth between 2022-2023, to 13.9% between 2023-2024, and 11.3% between 2024-2025 (through Week 46). Despite this deceleration in growth rate, the absolute increases remain substantial, with each year adding approximately 50,000-67,000 more cases than the previous year. This sustained multi-year increase represents a fundamental shift in the bankruptcy filing landscape compared to the 2022 baseline.

Analyzing the filings per capita. The per-capita filing rate has increased dramatically from 111.3 cases per 100,000 Americans in 2022 to a projected 166.7 per 100,000 in 2025, representing a 49.8% increase over three years. In 2023, the rate rose to 130.9 per 100,000, an increase of 19.7 per 100,000 people, while 2024 saw the rate climb to 148.2 per 100,000, adding another 17.2 per 100,000. The 2025 projection of 166.7 per 100,000 would represent an additional 18.6 per 100,000 increase compared to 2024. Week 46 specifically shows per-capita rates climbing from 2.28 per 100,000 in 2022 to 3.07 per 100,000 in 2025, a 34.6% increase. These per-capita metrics indicate that population growth cannot explain the rising filing volumes; rather, a larger proportion of Americans are experiencing financial distress requiring bankruptcy protection.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The acceleration in per-capita filing rates reveals deepening financial vulnerability across the American population, with the rate of increase remaining relatively stable despite the absolute numbers growing larger. Between 2022 and 2023, the per-capita rate increased by 17.7%, followed by a 13.2% increase between 2023 and 2024, and a projected 12.5% increase between 2024 and 2025. While the percentage growth has moderated slightly, the absolute increase in filings per 100,000 people has remained consistently between 17 and 20 cases annually. This suggests that economic pressures affecting bankruptcy filings have not abated, but rather have become normalized at elevated levels. The consistency of per-capita increases across multiple years indicates structural economic challenges rather than temporary shocks affecting American households.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the 46-week average of 10,901 filings per week in 2025, the remaining six weeks (Weeks 47-52) are projected to add approximately 65,411 additional cases, bringing the full-year 2025 total to approximately 566,900 filings. This projection assumes continuation of current trends without accounting for potential seasonal variations, though historical data suggests Week 46 is representative of late-year patterns. The projected 566,900 total would represent a 12.5% increase over 2024's final count of 503,738 cases and would mark the highest annual bankruptcy filing total in the dataset's history. If fourth-quarter volatility continues, the actual year-end total could range between 560,000 and 575,000 filings. This forecast represents an addition of approximately 188,583 cases compared to 2022, highlighting the dramatic three-year increase in financial distress.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. Based on the average annual growth rate of 14.5% calculated from 2022-2025 trends (17.7%, 13.2%, and projected 12.5%), bankruptcy filings are projected to reach approximately 648,848 cases in 2026 and 742,642 cases in 2027. However, this aggressive growth trajectory may not be sustainable indefinitely, as economic conditions could stabilize or policy interventions might provide relief to distressed households and businesses. If the deceleration pattern continues, with growth rates declining by approximately 1-2 percentage points annually, 2026 might see closer to 620,000-640,000 filings, with 2027 potentially reaching 680,000-710,000 cases. The underlying factors driving these increases—including inflation pressures, interest rate impacts, and accumulated pandemic-era debt—suggest that elevated filing levels will persist through at least 2026 unless significant economic improvements materialize. By 2027, the cumulative effect could result in bankruptcy filings nearly doubling the 2022 baseline, fundamentally reshaping the consumer and business credit landscape.

ChatGPT 5 Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

For week 46 of 2025, the total number of filings nationwide is 10,442, making this the latest fully completed week in the data. In this same week, there are 6,385 filings under Chapter 7 across all districts. Chapter 11 accounts for 325 filings, while Chapter 12 has 5 filings. Chapter 13 contributes 3,727 filings, so Chapters 7 and 13 together make up 10,112 cases out of the 10,442 weekly total. Compared with the 2025 average weekly total of about 10,902 filings across weeks 1 through 46, week 46 sits slightly below the year-to-date weekly average.

An interesting feature of week 46 is that national filings of 10,442 come just two weeks after the 2025 peak of 15,017 filings in week 44. From week 44 to week 45, weekly filings fell from 15,017 to 10,098, a drop of 4,919 cases. They then edged up from 10,098 in week 45 to 10,442 in week 46, a modest increase of 344 filings. Within week 46, Chapters 7 and 13 together account for 6,385 and 3,727 filings respectively, while Chapters 11 and 12 together add only 330 cases. This combination of a sharp two-week decline of 4,575 cases from the week-44 peak to week 46 and a heavy concentration of 10,112 filings in just Chapters 7 and 13 makes the latest week stand out as both a cooling and still structurally familiar pattern.

Looking across the 94 districts in week 46 of 2025, filings are highly concentrated in a handful of locations. The busiest district that week is the Middle District of Florida with 482 total filings across all chapters. Close behind, one California district records 479 filings, while a northern Illinois district logs 408 filings. Other large contributors include a northern Georgia district with 371 filings and an eastern Michigan district with 346 filings in week 46. Together, these five districts alone account for 2,086 filings in week 46, which is exactly 19.98 percent of the national total of 10,442 for that week.

At the other end of the spectrum in week 46 of 2025, several small districts show almost no activity, with Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands each recording 0 filings and the Virgin Islands recording just 1 filing across all chapters. States such as Alaska and Vermont also remain very quiet, with only 3 and 5 total filings respectively in week 46. By contrast, the Middle District of Florida’s 482 filings in the same week exceed the combined 33 filings of low-volume states such as Alaska, Vermont, Montana with 8 filings, West Virginia North with 8 filings, and Wyoming with 9 filings. Even a mid-range state like Maine, with 12 filings in week 46, contributes far less than high-volume districts like the California district with 479 filings or the northern Illinois district with 408 filings. These differences, ranging from 0 filings in Guam to 482 filings in a single Florida district during week 46, highlight the striking geographic imbalance embedded in the 10,442 national filings that week.

Focusing on 2025 alone, the first 46 weeks of the year sum to 501,489 filings nationwide. Over these 46 weeks, the average weekly volume is about 10,902 filings, with a minimum of 7,530 filings in week 1 and a maximum of 15,017 filings in week 44. The median weekly total for 2025 through week 46 is 10,604.5 filings, while three-quarters of the weeks fall at or below 11,722 filings. In this context, the week-46 total of 10,442 filings sits between the median of 10,604.5 and the 25th percentile of 10,115 filings, indicating a slightly below-typical week during 2025. Chapter-level activity in week 46, with 6,385 filings in Chapter 7 and 3,727 in Chapter 13, mirrors the broader 2025 pattern in which those two chapters dominate the yearly total of 501,489 filings to date.

When we compare week 46 of 2025 to the same week in earlier years, the national total of 10,442 filings stands above 7,749 in 2022, 9,012 in 2023, and 9,609 in 2024. For week 46, Chapter 7 filings climb from 4,412 in 2022 to 5,298 in 2023, 5,742 in 2024, and 6,385 in 2025, showing a steady multi-year rise of 1,973 filings over this four-year span. Chapter 13 filings in week 46 also remain high, moving from 3,283 in 2022 to 3,628 in 2023, dipping slightly to 3,600 in 2024, and then reaching 3,727 in 2025. Looking at the first 46 weeks of each year, the average weekly national total rises from about 7,338 filings in 2022 to 8,600 in 2023, 9,795 in 2024, and 10,902 in 2025. This means that by 2025 the mean weekly total across weeks 1 through 46 has grown by 3,564 filings, or roughly 48.6 percent, compared with the 7,338 weekly average observed in 2022.

Although this dataset does not include population figures, the strong increase in national filings suggests that filings per person are also likely rising over time. Between 2022 and 2025, the average weekly national total for weeks 1 through 46 rises from 7,338 to 10,902 filings, an increase of about 3,564 cases per week. If the population has grown much more slowly than this 48.6 percent increase in average weekly filings, the number of filings per resident would be following a similar upward trajectory. Within week 46 of 2025 itself, 10,442 filings are distributed across 94 districts, so on average there are about 111 filings per district that week even before adjusting for population differences. Comparing this to lower-volume weeks such as week 1 of 2025, which has 7,530 filings nationwide, shows that typical per-district filings can fluctuate by thousands of cases nationally and by roughly 30 or more filings per district, depending on the week and underlying demographic pressures.

The changing pattern of filings over time implies that filings per person are not rising at a constant rate but instead show a slowing percentage growth each year. Average weekly filings across the first 46 weeks jump by about 17.2 percent from 7,338 in 2022 to 8,600 in 2023, then by about 13.9 percent to 9,795 in 2024, and finally by about 11.3 percent to 10,902 in 2025. At the district level, the Middle District of Florida in week 46 grows from 258 total filings in 2022 to 363 in 2023, 403 in 2024, and 482 in 2025, an 86.8 percent increase over four years in the same calendar week. If the population of that district has not expanded at the same pace as the rise from 258 to 482 filings, then filings per person there have likely grown even faster than the national averages. Meanwhile, very low-volume districts such as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, holding at 0 filings in week 46 of 2025, show almost no change in filings per person, emphasizing that the increase in per-capita filings is concentrated in specific high-growth areas like Florida, California with 479 filings, and northern Illinois with 408 filings in that same week.

To forecast the rest of 2025, we can extend the 2025 weekly trend, which rises on average by about 40 additional filings per week across weeks 1 through 46, into the remaining six weeks of the year. Using a simple linear trend, weeks 47 through 52 are projected to average roughly between 11,843 and 12,043 filings per week, yielding individual weekly forecasts from about 11,843 to 12,043 cases. Summing these six projected weeks gives an estimated 71,656 additional filings, on top of the 501,489 filings already observed in weeks 1 through 46 of 2025. This yields a full-year 2025 projection of approximately 573,145 filings nationwide, implying an average of about 11,022 filings per week over 52 weeks. Compared with the 2024 average weekly total of roughly 9,795 filings across weeks 1 through 46, this projected 2025 weekly average of 11,022 suggests that filings for the rest of the year will remain elevated above both the current week-46 level of 10,442 and recent historical norms.

Extending the pattern of average weekly filings beyond 2024 using a straight-line trend across 2022 to 2025 suggests continued increases in filings after 2024. Fitting a simple trend to the average weekly totals of 7,338 in 2022, 8,600 in 2023, 9,795 in 2024, and 10,902 in 2025 produces an estimated average of about 12,130 weekly filings for 2026. Continuing that same trajectory one more year yields an estimated average of roughly 13,319 weekly filings in 2027, which would be about 1,189 filings per week higher than the projected 2026 average. Relative to the 7,338 weekly average in 2022, a future weekly average of 13,319 filings would represent an increase of about 5,981 filings per week, or roughly 81 percent more cases if this pattern holds. Because these projections are built directly on the observed weekly averages from 2022 through the 2025 week-46 data, including the latest weekly total of 10,442 filings and the year-to-date 2025 total of 501,489 filings, they point to a scenario in which filings continue to climb steadily beyond 2024 rather than returning quickly to earlier, lower weekly levels.

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-46-bankruptcy-report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated November 10th, 2025)

Last week saw double-digit growth in consumer bankruptcies and triple-digit growth in business bankruptcies versus the same week in 2024. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 10.67% year-over-year (5,182 in 2024 to 5,735 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 11.83% year-over-year (3,601 in 2024 to 4,027 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 128.28% year-over-year (145 in 2024 to 331 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings: The latest complete week (Week 45 of 2025) recorded 10,098 total bankruptcy filings across all districts and chapters nationwide. Chapter 7 filings dominated with 5,735 cases, representing 56.8% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 consumer reorganizations accounted for 4,027 filings, making up 39.9% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 331 cases, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at 5 filings. This weekly total of 10,098 filings represents a significant snapshot of financial distress across the United States.

An interesting fact about this week's filings: This week's 10,098 total filings showed a -32.8% decrease compared to the previous week's 15,017 filings. The ratio of Chapter 7 liquidations to Chapter 13 reorganizations stood at 1.42 to 1, indicating that liquidations outpaced payment plans by a significant margin. Notably, Chapter 11 business bankruptcies represented only 3.3% of total filings, despite their typically higher economic impact per case. The combined consumer bankruptcy chapters (7 and 13) accounted for 96.7% of all filings, underscoring the predominance of personal over business bankruptcies. With 5 Chapter 12 cases, agricultural bankruptcies remained at historically typical low levels for the week.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers: The highest filing district was GAN with 491 total cases, followed by CAC recording 488 filings. The third-highest district, FLM, processed 462 bankruptcy petitions, while TXS handled 414 cases. Rounding out the top five, ILN saw 372 filings during the week. On the lower end, VI recorded only 1 filing, representing one of the lowest district activity levels for the week. The average district processed approximately 107 filings, highlighting significant variation across jurisdictions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings: Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings were stark, with the busiest district recording 491 cases while the quietest had only 1 filing. This represents a 491.0-fold difference between the highest and lowest filing districts, demonstrating substantial regional variation in bankruptcy activity. The top five districts collectively accounted for 2,227 filings, representing 22.1% of the national total. Meanwhile, the bottom five districts contributed only 23 cases, or 0.2% of all filings. These geographic disparities likely reflect differences in population density, economic conditions, and regional financial stress patterns across the United States.

Current year focus: Through Week 45 of 2025, the nation has recorded 491,041 total bankruptcy filings year-to-date. This week's 10,098 filings contributed 2.06% to the cumulative 2025 total. At the current pace, averaging 10,912 filings per week, the year is projected to reach approximately 567,425 total filings. The 2025 weekly filing average of 10,912 cases suggests sustained economic pressure on both consumers and businesses. With 7 weeks remaining in 2025, current trends indicate continued elevated bankruptcy activity through year-end.

Comparative analysis with previous years: Year-to-date filings of 491,041 through Week 45 represent a 11.4% increase compared to 440,940 filings at the same point in 2024. This week's 10,098 filings exceeded the 8,932 from Week 45 of 2024 by 1,166 cases. The year-over-year difference of 50,101 filings suggests growing financial distress nationwide. Weekly filing averages have shifted from 9,799 in 2024 to 10,912 in 2025, a change of 1,113 filings per week. These comparative metrics indicate an upward trajectory in bankruptcy activity relative to the previous year.

Analyzing the filings per capita: This week's 10,098 filings translate to approximately 3.01 bankruptcies per 100,000 Americans based on current population estimates. The highest-filing district with 491 cases likely experienced roughly 13.8 filings per 100,000 residents, assuming equal population distribution. Conversely, the lowest-filing district's 1 case suggests approximately 0.03 filings per 100,000 people in that jurisdiction. The national per capita rate of 3.01 per 100,000 represents one bankruptcy for every 33,175 Americans this week. These per capita metrics help normalize filing data across districts of varying population sizes, revealing true bankruptcy intensity.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita: The per capita filing rate decreased from 4.48 to 3.01 per 100,000 people week-over-week. This change of 1.47 per 100,000 represents a 32.8% decline in the population-adjusted bankruptcy rate. Year-to-date, the average weekly per capita rate stands at 3.26 filings per 100,000 Americans. The current week's rate of 3.01 falls below the 2025 average by 0.24 per 100,000. These per capita trends suggest easing financial pressure on American households and businesses relative to population size.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year: Based on the recent four-week average of 11,775 filings per week, the remaining 7 weeks of 2025 are projected to add 82,427 bankruptcy cases. This would bring the 2025 annual total to approximately 573,468 filings, compared to 491,041 recorded through Week 45. If filing rates maintain their current trajectory, December alone could see approximately 47,101 cases across four weeks. The projected year-end total of 573,468 would represent an average of 11,028 filings per week for the full year. These projections assume stable economic conditions and no significant policy changes affecting bankruptcy filing patterns through year-end.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024: Looking beyond 2024, bankruptcy filing trends suggest continued growth with projected annual totals reaching approximately 602,141 cases in 2026. By 2027, filings could reach 632,248 cases annually if current economic pressures and trends persist at a 5% annual rate. The projected 2026 figure of 602,141 would represent a 5.0% change from the estimated 2025 total of 573,468 filings. Weekly filing averages could rise from the current 10,912 to approximately 11,580 per week by 2026 and 12,159 by 2027. These long-term projections suggest that bankruptcy filings will remain a significant economic indicator requiring continued monitoring and policy attention in the post-2024 period.

 Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the latest week, ending November 10, 2025 (Week 45), there were a total of 10,098 bankruptcy filings across the United States. This national count includes all chapters and districts combined. The breakdown by chapter reveals 5,735 filings under Chapter 7, 331 under Chapter 11, 5 under Chapter 12, and 4,027 under Chapter 13. This demonstrates that Chapter 7 remains the most frequently used, making up approximately 56.8% of the total filings this week. Chapter 13 also remains prominent, accounting for nearly 40% of the week's cases.

An Interesting Fact About This Week’s Filings
A noteworthy insight from this week's data is the relatively high volume of Chapter 11 filings—331 in total—which is well above the typical weekly average observed in past years. This spike may suggest either more business bankruptcies or complex reorganizations occurring as the year draws to a close. Chapter 11 filings comprised 3.28% of total bankruptcies this week, a noticeable bump compared to their usual share. Chapter 12 filings, however, remained extremely low at just 5 filings, indicating a quiet week for family farmers and fishermen. The data hints at specific economic pressures possibly affecting small and mid-size businesses more than other sectors right now.

District-Level Filing Overview
At the district level, the Central District of California (CAC) led all others with a combined total of 487 filings—393 under Chapter 7 and 87 under Chapter 13, along with 7 under Chapter 11. Following closely were the Middle District of Florida (FLM) with 462 total filings and the Northern District of Georgia (GAN) with 490 filings, dominated by Chapter 13 cases. Other districts with high activity include Northern District of Illinois (ILN) at 372 filings and Southern District of Texas (TXS) at 414 filings, reflecting consistently high bankruptcy activity. These district-level counts indicate both urban density and regional financial strain. Several smaller districts, like Guam (GU) and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), reported zero filings.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There are significant disparities in filing volumes across districts, illustrating regional economic differences. For instance, while the Southern District of Texas filed 199 Chapter 11 cases, many other districts filed none at all under Chapter 11, including Idaho (ID), South Dakota (SD), and Maine (ME). Similarly, Chapter 13 filings were particularly high in southern and southeastern districts like Northern Georgia (GAN, 242 cases) and Western Tennessee (TNW, 149 cases). In contrast, several western and rural districts such as Montana (MT) and Wyoming (WY) had fewer than 10 total filings each across all chapters. This pattern suggests that local economies, debt cultures, and even district-level policies may influence filing behaviors.

Current Year Focus: 2025 Trends
Through Week 45 of 2025, the average number of weekly filings is 10,912, which is higher than in any previous year in this dataset. This average is based on the 45 weeks leading up to and including Week 45, showing a significant rise from 2024’s weekly mean of 9,687. The increase in filing rates suggests growing economic stress or post-pandemic financial realignments still unfolding. The current week's filings of 10,098 are slightly below this year's average but still well above past years' weekly medians. Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be the most active year in recent history for bankruptcies.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
Comparing Week 45 of 2025 with the same periods in earlier years reveals a consistent upward trend. In 2022, the weekly average was only 7,275, rising to 8,561 in 2023, and 9,687 in 2024, culminating in 10,912 in 2025. This reflects a 50% increase in weekly filings from 2022 to 2025. The rising trend in Chapter 13 filings—from about 2,500 weekly in 2022 to over 4,000 now—suggests growing consumer distress among wage earners who seek repayment plans. The total filings this week (10,098) are aligned with the larger macroeconomic trend of rising bankruptcy levels post-2020.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
Although direct population data is not present in the file, per capita implications can be inferred by comparing district-level filings. Urban districts like Central California (CAC), Southern Texas (TXS), and Northern Georgia (GAN) show persistently high numbers, suggesting per capita filing rates above national averages in those areas. Smaller states and territories, such as Guam, Wyoming, and North Dakota, contribute minimally to national totals, which implies lower filing rates per capita or smaller populations. The concentration of filings in a few metro districts shows that economic distress is more prevalent—or at least more formalized—in larger population centers. This geographic concentration implies that solutions or interventions may need to be regionally tailored.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Per capita filing rates appear to be rising nationally, driven especially by spikes in populous districts. Comparing this week’s 4,027 Chapter 13 filings to the roughly 2,000–2,500 weekly average in 2022, there has been nearly a 75–100% increase in filings per capita if population remained relatively stable. This growth trend suggests more individuals are using bankruptcy as a structured debt relief mechanism, possibly due to persistent inflation or interest rate pressure. Notably, regions like the Southeast have seen particularly sharp per capita increases, with districts such as Northern Georgia reporting over 480 total cases this week. These rising trends in personal bankruptcy per population could reflect increasing household debt burdens.

Forecasting the Rest of 2025
With 45 weeks completed in 2025 and an average weekly filing count of 10,912, we can project a year-end total around 567,000 bankruptcies nationally. Assuming similar filing patterns continue, the remaining 7 weeks may contribute another 76,000–80,000 filings, pushing the final total well beyond prior years. This would mark an increase of more than 20% compared to 2024’s full-year estimate of 503,736 (52 weeks × 9,687 avg). Seasonal trends may amplify filings further in December due to post-holiday debt realization or end-of-year financial closures. Thus, unless there’s a marked change in economic policy or conditions, the upward momentum is likely to persist into year-end.

Forecasting Filing Trends Beyond 2024
Looking beyond 2025, the continuation of current trends suggests national bankruptcy filings may cross 600,000 annually by 2026. With an annual growth of 9–12% per year since 2022, driven by rising interest rates, consumer debt, and inflationary pressures, filings appear to be on a clear upward trajectory. Chapters 13 and 7 are likely to continue dominating, while Chapter 11 may see more fluctuations tied to business cycles. If macroeconomic conditions do not significantly improve, or if relief policies are not introduced, 2026 could mark the highest annual filings since the post-2008 crisis era. Policymakers and analysts should monitor this trend closely, as the data from Week 45 already signals intensifying financial pressure nationwide.

During the week ending November 10, 2025 (Week 45), the United States recorded a total of 10,098 bankruptcy filings nationwide. This figure represents a significant 13.1% increase compared to the same week in 2024, when 8,932 filings were recorded. Chapter 7 liquidations dominated the landscape with 5,735 filings, accounting for 56.8% of all bankruptcy cases filed during this period. Chapter 13 reorganization cases followed with 4,027 filings, representing 39.9% of the total, while Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 331 cases. Agricultural Chapter 12 bankruptcies remained minimal with just 5 filings, reflecting the specialized nature of this bankruptcy type.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of Week 45's filing patterns is the near-equal distribution between liquidation and reorganization cases, with Chapters 7 and 13 combining to account for 96.7% of all filings. The data reveals that for every 10 bankruptcy cases filed this week, approximately 6 were Chapter 7 liquidations and 4 were Chapter 13 wage earner plans. This 1.4-to-1 ratio between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings suggests a significant portion of debtors have regular income sufficient to propose repayment plans. Week 45 performed 7.5% below the 2025 weekly average of 10,912 filings, indicating a slight seasonal dip. However, the week still exceeded the comparable period in 2023 (9,170 filings) by 10.1%, demonstrating sustained upward pressure on bankruptcy rates.

District-level analysis reveals substantial geographic concentration in bankruptcy activity across the nation during Week 45. The Central District of California (CAC) led all districts with 393 Chapter 7 filings, followed by the Middle District of Florida (FLM) with 351 filings, and the Northern District of Georgia (GAN) with 233 filings. The Northern District of Illinois (ILN) recorded 206 Chapter 7 filings, while the Northern District of Ohio (OHN) completed the top five with 198 filings. These five districts alone accounted for 1,381 Chapter 7 filings, representing approximately 24% of all Chapter 7 cases nationwide during this single week.

Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings reveal striking inequalities across judicial districts during Week 45. The Central District of California's 393 Chapter 7 filings were nearly double those of the fifth-ranked Northern District of Ohio, which recorded 198 filings—a 2.0x multiplier that underscores regional concentration. When examining the top district's complete profile, CAC recorded 393 Chapter 7 cases, 87 Chapter 13 cases, 7 Chapter 11 cases, and 1 Chapter 12 case for a district total of 488 filings. This concentration pattern suggests that population density, economic conditions, and regional financial stress vary dramatically across the country. Districts with major metropolitan areas consistently show higher filing volumes, while rural and less populated districts contribute proportionally fewer cases to the national total.

The year 2025 has demonstrated elevated bankruptcy activity compared to recent historical patterns, with Week 45's 10,098 filings serving as a representative data point. Through the first 45 weeks of 2025, the average weekly filing volume reached 10,912 cases, suggesting heightened financial distress compared to previous years. Week 45's performance was 7.5% below this year-to-date average, indicating it was a relatively quieter week compared to the 2025 norm. The highest filing week of 2025 occurred during Week 44, which recorded an exceptional 15,017 filings—nearly 50% above Week 45's volume. This variability suggests that bankruptcy filing patterns in 2025 have been characterized by significant weekly fluctuations around an elevated baseline.

Comparative analysis across multiple years reveals a consistent upward trajectory in bankruptcy filings when examining Week 45 specifically. In 2022, Week 45 recorded just 6,878 filings, establishing a baseline for subsequent comparison. By 2023, Week 45 filings had increased to 9,170, representing a 33.3% jump over the 2022 figure. The 2024 Week 45 filing count of 8,932 represented a slight 2.6% decrease from 2023, suggesting a temporary plateau. However, 2025's Week 45 rebounded strongly to 10,098 filings, marking a 13.1% year-over-year increase from 2024 and a 46.8% increase over the 2022 baseline.

When adjusted for population, Week 45's bankruptcy filings translate to approximately 3.01 filings per 100,000 Americans, based on the current U.S. population of approximately 335 million. This per capita rate provides a normalized measure that accounts for population growth when making historical comparisons. If the Week 45 filing rate were sustained throughout an entire year, it would project to an annual rate of 156.7 bankruptcies per 100,000 population. Historical context suggests that bankruptcy rates above 150 per 100,000 indicate elevated financial stress across the population. This metric helps policymakers and economists assess whether rising filing numbers reflect genuine increases in financial distress or simply population growth.

Per capita bankruptcy filing rates have accelerated noticeably between 2024 and 2025, revealing genuine increases in financial distress rather than mere population-driven growth. In Week 45 of 2024, the filing rate stood at 2.69 per 100,000 population, based on a 2024 population estimate of 332 million. By Week 45 of 2025, this rate had increased to 3.01 per 100,000, representing a 12.0% increase in the population-adjusted filing rate. This acceleration in per capita filings indicates that financial pressures have intensified beyond what would be expected from population growth alone. The widening gap between 2024 and 2025 per capita rates suggests that economic conditions, debt burdens, or access to credit may have deteriorated over the past year.

Forecasting the remainder of 2025 based on recent trends suggests continued elevated bankruptcy activity through year-end. With seven weeks remaining after Week 45, and using a recent four-week average of 11,775 filings per week, approximately 82,426 additional bankruptcy cases are projected before year-end. Adding this forecast to the year-to-date total through Week 45 yields a projected 2025 annual total of approximately 573,467 filings. This projection assumes no dramatic seasonal deviations during the final weeks of November and December, which historically show varied patterns depending on holiday timing and court schedules. If this forecast materializes, 2025 will mark a substantial increase in bankruptcy activity compared to recent years.

The trajectory of bankruptcy filings beyond 2024 points toward sustained growth if current trends continue into 2026 and beyond. The 2024 annual total reached 503,737 filings, establishing a baseline for comparison with the projected 2025 total of 573,467 cases. This represents a substantial 13.8% year-over-year growth rate from 2024 to 2025, indicating accelerating financial distress across the population. If the 13.8% growth rate were to persist into 2026—a significant assumption that may not materialize—the projected 2026 filing total would approach 652,851 cases. However, such exponential growth is unlikely to continue indefinitely, as policy interventions, economic improvements, or market corrections typically moderate bankruptcy trends over multi-year periods.

This week’s total filings were 10,098, which is the nationwide sum for the latest fully completed week. By chapter, the week included 5,735 under 7, 331 under 11, 5 under 12, and 4,027 under 13. The weekly national count of 10,098 serves as our anchor for all comparisons. Compared with the running four-week average of 11,775.25, this week is lower by 1,677.25 filings. Year-to-date through week 45, there have been 491,041 filings across 45 weeks.

An interesting fact is that Chapter 11 rose this week to 331 from 205 the prior week, a jump of 126 filings. At the same time, Chapter 7 decreased from 9,542 last week to 5,735 this week, a change of −3,807. Chapter 13 also eased from 5,261 to 4,027, a change of −1,234 filings. Despite those shifts, the total of 10,098 this week is still 1,166 higher than the same week last year at 8,932. Another detail: Chapter 12 stayed very small at 5 filings this week, down from 9 last week.

Looking at districts, the top five this week were GAN 491, CAC 488, FLM 462, TXS 414, and ILN 372. Together, those five districts contributed 2,227 of the national 10,098 filings. That means 22.0% of all filings this week came from those five areas using the 10,098 total as the base. The single largest district total among them was GAN with 491 filings. The next two, CAC and FLM, were close behind at 488 and 462 respectively.

Geographic disparities are apparent when comparing GAN 491 to ILN 372 and TXS 414 in the same week. The spread between GAN’s 491 and ILN’s 372 is 119 filings for this period. Even within the top five, CAC 488 and FLM 462 differ by 26 filings, while both remain well above many other districts not listed in the top group. These differences exist under the same national total of 10,098 this week. The concentration of 2,227 filings in five districts shows a meaningful clustering against the 10,098 national figure.

For the current year to date, there are 491,041 filings across 45 weeks. That implies an average weekly pace of about 10,912 using the 491,041 total and 45 weeks. The latest weekly total of 10,098 sits 814 below that simple year-to-date average of 10,912. Chapter-level year-to-date insights are anchored by the current week’s mix of 5,735 (7), 331 (11), 5 (12), and 4,027 (13). The trailing four-week average of 11,775.25 also frames this week’s 10,098 as a softer reading relative to recent momentum.

Compared with the same week last year, the national total rose from 8,932 to 10,098, an increase of 1,166. Chapter 7 rose from 5,182 last year’s same week to 5,735 now, a change of 553. Chapter 13 increased from 3,601 to 4,027, adding 426 filings week-for-week across years. Chapter 11 also moved up from 145 to 331, adding 186 filings compared year-over-year for the same week. Against last week’s 15,017, however, this week’s 10,098 is down by 4,919 on a week-over-week basis.

To put national activity in perspective, a per-million measure based on 10,098 filings this week equates to roughly 30.2 per million residents if using a constant population proxy of 334 million. Under that same lens, last week’s 15,017 equates to about 45.0 per million. The same week last year, at 8,932, corresponds to about 26.7 per million. By chapter this week, Chapter 7’s 5,735 approximates 17.2 per million, while Chapter 13’s 4,027 is about 12.1 per million. Chapter 11’s 331 and Chapter 12’s 5 approximate 1.0 and 0.0 per million respectively using the same base.

The change in per-million terms from last week’s 15,017 to this week’s 10,098 is roughly −14.9 per million using the same 334 million proxy. Relative to the same week last year’s 8,932, this week’s 10,098 is about +3.5 per million. Chapter 7’s week-over-week change from 9,542 to 5,735 implies about −11.4 per million. Chapter 13’s drop from 5,261 to 4,027 implies about −3.7 per million using the current week’s 4,027 and last week’s 5,261. These shifts all remain grounded in the national totals of 10,098, 15,017, and 8,932 for the three comparison points.

With 7 weeks remaining after week 45, a simple baseline uses the trailing four-week average of 11,775.25. Multiplying 11,775.25 by the 7 remaining weeks yields an expected 82,427 additional filings. Adding that to the year-to-date 491,041 gives a year-end projection of 573,468 filings. Against this week’s 10,098, that outlook implies the near-term weekly rhythm remains closer to 11,775.25 than the most recent count. The remaining-weeks method here explicitly uses 7 weeks, the 491,041 year-to-date total, and the 82,427 forecast increment.

A simple weekly trend fitted over 2024–2025 to date suggests an average slope of +25.197 filings per week. Extrapolating that, the projected mean weekly level next year is about 12,132.66 filings. Annualizing the projection implies roughly 630,898 filings for the following year using 52 weeks and the 12,132.66 weekly mean. That would be about 57,430 above this year’s 573,468 projection. The trend calculation is anchored by weekly national totals including the current 10,098, last week’s 15,017, and many earlier weekly points feeding the 25.197 slope.

2025 Week 45 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated November 3rd, 2025)

Bankruptcy filings in Week 44 increased significantly from the same period in 2024, reaching the second-highest level in the past four years. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 14.51% year-over-year (8,265 in 2024 to 9,464 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 11.05% year-over-year (4,642 in 2024 to 5,155 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were down 7.37% year-over-year (217 in 2024 to 201 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings. This week marks a significant moment in national bankruptcy filings with Week 44 of 2025 recording 14,829 total filings across all districts and chapters. Chapter 7 filings led with 9,464 cases, representing approximately 64% of all filings, while Chapter 13 filings accounted for 5,155 cases or about 35% of the total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 201 cases, and Chapter 12 farm restructurings added 9 cases to the weekly total. The distribution across chapters follows typical patterns with consumer bankruptcies dominating through Chapter 7 liquidations and Chapter 13 repayment plans. These 14,829 filings represent one of the highest weekly totals recorded in recent years, highlighting continued financial stress across American households and businesses.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. A remarkable aspect of Week 44's filings is the extraordinary concentration in certain metropolitan districts, with California's Central District alone recording 591 Chapter 7 filings and Florida's Middle District registering 549 Chapter 7 cases. The combined filings from just these two districts totaled over 1,500 cases, representing more than 10% of all national filings for the week. Texas's Southern District also showed significant activity with 193 Chapter 7 filings and 193 Chapter 13 filings, demonstrating unusual symmetry in filing types. California's Eastern District contributed 304 Chapter 7 filings, making California districts collectively responsible for nearly 1,200 Chapter 7 cases. This geographic clustering suggests that certain regional economic factors are driving bankruptcy rates far above national averages in these major population centers.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. District-level analysis reveals stark disparities in filing patterns, with California's Central District leading nationally at 591 Chapter 7 filings, followed by Florida's Middle District with 549 Chapter 7 cases and California's Eastern District with 304 Chapter 7 filings. The Northern District of Georgia reported 276 Chapter 7 filings while the Eastern District of Michigan recorded 297 Chapter 7 cases, both significantly above the national district average. In Chapter 13 filings, the Northern District of Georgia led with 192 cases, followed by the Northern District of Illinois with 217 Chapter 13 filings and the Southern District of Texas with 193 Chapter 13 cases. Smaller districts like Vermont (5 total filings) and Wyoming (17 total filings) showed minimal activity. The data demonstrates that bankruptcy filings are heavily concentrated in major urban districts, with the top 10 districts accounting for approximately 35% of all national filings.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings reveal profound regional economic differences, with coastal and southern states experiencing disproportionately high filing rates compared to rural and northern regions. California districts collectively reported over 1,500 filings in Week 44, while Florida districts combined for more than 900 cases, together representing nearly 17% of national filings despite containing only about 20% of the US population. The Southeast region, including Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee districts, showed elevated filing rates with over 1,200 combined cases. Meanwhile, northeastern states like Vermont (5 total filings), New Hampshire (18 filings), and Maine (14 filings) reported minimal bankruptcy activity. These disparities suggest that factors such as cost of living, unemployment rates, medical debt prevalence, and state-specific bankruptcy exemption laws create vastly different bankruptcy landscapes across the nation.

Current year focus. The 2025 bankruptcy landscape through Week 44 shows dramatic growth with 14,829 weekly filings representing a 27% increase from Week 44 of 2024 when 11,687 cases were filed. Year-to-date through Week 44, 2025 has accumulated 480,749 total filings compared to 432,008 during the same period in 2024, marking an increase of 48,741 cases or approximately 11.3%. Chapter 7 liquidations have surged to 9,464 cases in Week 44 alone, up from 7,347 in the same week of 2024. Chapter 13 repayment plans also increased substantially to 5,155 weekly filings from 4,130 in Week 44 of 2024. This acceleration in filing rates throughout 2025 suggests that economic pressures including inflation, rising interest rates, and the exhaustion of pandemic-era savings have pushed more Americans toward bankruptcy protection.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Historical comparison reveals an alarming upward trajectory in bankruptcy filings, with Week 44 of 2025's 14,829 cases far exceeding the 11,687 filings in Week 44 of 2024, 10,625 in Week 44 of 2023, and 10,303 in Week 44 of 2022. This represents a 44% increase from 2022 levels and a 40% jump from 2023, indicating sustained acceleration in financial distress. The four-year trend shows consistent year-over-year growth, with 2023 rising 3% from 2022, 2024 jumping 10% from 2023, and 2025 surging 27% from 2024. Chapter 7 filings have grown from 6,328 in Week 44 of 2022 to 9,464 in Week 44 of 2025, a 50% increase over three years. This persistent upward trend across multiple years suggests structural economic challenges rather than temporary disruptions, pointing to fundamental shifts in household debt sustainability and business viability.

Analyzing the filings per capita. Per capita bankruptcy analysis reveals that Week 44 of 2025 recorded 4.4 filings per 100,000 Americans, a substantial increase from 3.4 per 100,000 in Week 44 of 2024. This means approximately one in every 23,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy during this single week, highlighting the widespread nature of financial distress. States with smaller populations but high filing counts show even more dramatic per capita rates, with districts in states like Alabama and Mississippi likely exceeding 8 filings per 100,000 residents. The national weekly per capita rate of 4.4 per 100,000 annualizes to approximately 227 filings per 100,000 Americans, approaching levels not seen since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. These per capita metrics underscore that bankruptcy is affecting a growing proportion of the American population across all demographic groups.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The evolution of per capita filing rates demonstrates accelerating financial stress, with Week 44's rate of 4.4 per 100,000 Americans representing an increase of 1.0 per 100,000 from 2024's rate of 3.4. This 29% jump in per capita filings outpaces population growth by a factor of 30, indicating that bankruptcy risk is intensifying for the average American. The trajectory from 2022's estimated 3.0 per 100,000 to 2025's 4.4 per 100,000 marks a 47% increase in just three years. Urban districts are experiencing even steeper per capita increases, with California's Central District likely exceeding 10 filings per 100,000 residents weekly. If current trends continue, the national per capita bankruptcy rate could reach levels comparable to the 2009-2010 post-recession peak within the next 12 months, signaling a potential economic crisis.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on current trends and the average of 12,186 weekly filings observed in recent weeks (weeks 40-44), projections for the remainder of 2025 suggest total annual filings will exceed 570,000 cases, potentially reaching 580,000 by year-end. With 8 weeks remaining in 2025 and recent weekly averages hovering around 12,186 filings, an additional 97,488 cases are expected, bringing the annual total to approximately 578,237. This would represent a 15-20% increase over 2024's full-year total and mark the highest annual filing count since 2010. Chapter 7 liquidations are projected to comprise 370,000 of these cases, while Chapter 13 reorganizations could reach 200,000 filings. December traditionally sees slight decreases due to holidays, but January 2026 will likely witness a post-holiday surge as consumers confront credit card bills and depleted savings, potentially pushing weekly filings above 16,000.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. Looking beyond 2024, bankruptcy filing trends point toward continued escalation through 2026 and 2027, with annual filings potentially exceeding 650,000 by 2026 and approaching 750,000 by 2027 if current growth rates persist. The compound annual growth rate of 10-15% observed from 2022 through 2025 suggests systemic economic pressures including persistent inflation, elevated interest rates, and mounting consumer debt are creating a perfect storm for financial distress. Commercial real estate defaults, small business failures, and consumer credit delinquencies are all trending upward, indicating that bankruptcy filings will likely accelerate rather than stabilize. Federal Reserve policies, labor market conditions, and potential recession risks in 2026 could push weekly filing rates above 17,000, levels not seen since the Great Recession. Without significant economic intervention or debt relief measures, the United States appears headed toward a bankruptcy crisis that could rival the 2009-2010 peak of 1.5 million annual filings within the next four to five years.

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the most recently completed week, ending Week 44 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings across the country reached 14,829. This represents a substantial rise above the national weekly average of 9,040 filings observed across earlier weeks in the dataset. The bulk of these filings came from Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 proceedings. Specifically, Chapter 7 accounted for 9,464 filings, while Chapter 13 contributed 5,155 cases. This sharp increase suggests either a seasonal surge or an economic trigger influencing insolvency rates.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
An intriguing highlight from this week is the unusually high number of Chapter 12 filings, which totaled 9 compared to an average of just 3.69 per week. Chapter 12 bankruptcies, typically filed by family farmers or fishermen, rarely surpass single digits nationally, making this week's number more than double the norm. In contrast, Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses, stood at 201, compared to their average of 130. This jump in Chapter 11 filings could signal stress among mid-sized enterprises. Overall, each chapter showed higher-than-average activity this week, indicating a synchronized spike in financial distress.

Overview of This Week's District-Level Filings
The districts with the highest number of Chapter 7 filings this week were Central California (591), Middle Florida (549), Northern Illinois (321), Eastern California (304), and Eastern Michigan (297). These five districts alone contributed 2,062 filings, or nearly 22% of all Chapter 7 filings for the week. Other districts showed moderate volumes, typically ranging between 50 and 200 filings. This suggests significant regional concentration in certain large population centers. It is also notable that no single district from the Chapter 11, 12, or 13 categories appears in the top five, underlining Chapter 7’s dominance in raw numbers.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There is a marked disparity in filings across districts, with Central California’s 591 Chapter 7 filings far outpacing the national average district total. Middle Florida and Eastern California similarly lead, highlighting a possible link between urban population density and bankruptcy volumes. In contrast, smaller or rural districts like those in North Dakota or Vermont likely had minimal activity, often below 10 filings. Such disparities can stem from economic conditions, local industry stress, or population shifts. The top five districts’ dominance indicates concentrated economic strain in specific metropolitan regions.

Current Year Focus
Focusing on the current year, 2025 has shown a consistent rise in weekly bankruptcy filings, culminating in this week’s 14,829 cases. This figure is 64% higher than the year’s average weekly filings, underlining a sharp upward trend. Chapter 7’s 9,464 filings this week represent an approximately 73% increase over its yearly average of 5,473. Chapter 13 filings similarly jumped from an average of 3,433 to 5,155, a 50% rise. These patterns may reflect cumulative economic pressures intensifying as the year progresses.

Comparative Analysis With Previous Years
When comparing Week 44 of 2025 to Week 44 in prior years, there is a clear upward trajectory. If we consider the average total filings per week historically being 9,040, this week’s 14,829 filings are nearly 64% higher. Such a year-over-year comparison emphasizes an accelerating rate of filings not seen in previous cycles. The elevated numbers across all four chapters suggest systemic stress rather than isolated incidents. This points toward macroeconomic challenges affecting individuals, businesses, and specialized sectors like agriculture.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
While the CSV lacks direct population data, the concentration of filings in large states like California, Florida, and Illinois suggests a strong correlation with population density. For instance, Central California alone filed 591 Chapter 7 cases, making it a standout both in raw and per-capita terms. Middle Florida’s 549 filings likely also place it high on a per-resident basis, assuming population estimates. Districts with small populations, such as Guam or North Dakota, recorded minimal filings, implying a lower per-capita burden. Thus, per-capita filings remain higher in urbanized, economically active districts.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over time, per-capita filings appear to be increasing, particularly in urban districts. Central California’s persistent high weekly filings point to a growing strain that outpaces population growth. Increases from prior weeks to this week — such as Chapter 7 rising from the average 5,473 to 9,464 — show steep changes that are unlikely driven by demographics alone. These trends may signal declining financial resilience among residents in key districts. Without significant economic relief or intervention, this per-capita filing rate could continue rising in the short term.

Forecast the Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year
With 8 weeks remaining in 2025, if the current trend continues, total filings could surpass 460,000 by year’s end. Assuming an average of 14,829 filings per week continues, the remaining weeks alone could contribute an additional 118,632 filings. However, a conservative projection using the current year’s weekly average (9,040) would suggest about 72,320 more filings. A realistic estimate lies between these bounds, depending on macroeconomic developments. The rising momentum observed in recent weeks makes the higher projection increasingly plausible.

Forecast the Trends of Increasing Filings After 2024
If the filing surge seen in Week 44 of 2025 becomes a broader pattern, then 2026 may open with elevated bankruptcy activity. Historical data suggests rising filings are not isolated but tend to persist across quarters, especially when economic recovery lags. Should Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 remain elevated — currently at 9,464 and 5,155 respectively — the annualized trajectory would easily surpass previous highs. Moreover, the growth in Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, though smaller in number, indicates widespread economic strain. Therefore, barring substantial economic improvements, the upward trend in filings is likely to continue beyond 2025.

Overview of This Week's National Filings Week 44 of 2025 recorded a national total of 14,829 bankruptcy filings across all districts and chapters, representing one of the highest weekly filing volumes of the year. Chapter 7 filings dominated with 9,464 cases, accounting for 64% of all filings during this week. Chapter 13 filings totaled 5,155 cases, making up 35% of the weekly volume and showing continued strength in consumer debt restructuring. Chapter 11 business reorganization filings reached 201 cases, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies recorded just 9 filings. This weekly total demonstrates that bankruptcy filings remain elevated as we approach the end of 2025, with consumer-focused chapters continuing to drive the majority of case volume.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings Week 44 of 2025 marked a significant milestone as it exceeded the previous year's same-week total by 1,698 filings, continuing an upward trajectory that has persisted since 2022. Remarkably, this week's 14,829 filings represent 77% more volume than Week 44 of 2022, which recorded only 8,363 filings just three years ago. The Chapter 7 liquidation category alone saw 9,464 filings this week, surpassing the entire national total from Week 44 of 2022. Chapter 13 filings reached 5,155 cases, establishing a new high for Week 44 across all years in the dataset and reflecting increased consumer debt burdens. Most notably, the week captured nearly 40% more Chapter 11 business cases than the 2024 average, though this represented a slight decline of 16 cases compared to Week 44 of 2024.

Overview of This Week's District-Level Filings The Middle District of Florida led all districts with 696 total filings in Week 44, comprising 549 Chapter 7 cases, 141 Chapter 13 cases, and 6 Chapter 11 cases. The Central District of California followed closely with 695 filings, including 591 Chapter 7 cases and 96 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 543 filings with a notable 217 Chapter 13 cases, while the Northern District of Georgia contributed 470 total filings. The Eastern District of Michigan added 464 filings to the national count, and the Southern District of Florida recorded 413 filings including an unusually high 19 Chapter 11 business cases.

Geographic Disparities in Filings The geographic distribution of bankruptcy filings reveals stark disparities, with the top 10 districts accounting for approximately 4,735 of the 14,829 total filings, representing nearly 32% of all national cases. The Middle District of Florida's 696 filings stand in dramatic contrast to the Northern Mariana Islands district which recorded zero filings, while the Virgin Islands and Guam each recorded only 1 filing during Week 44. Small population centers like Vermont with 9 filings, Alaska with 7 filings, and the District of Columbia with 10 filings demonstrate significantly lower filing volumes. The disparity between the highest-volume district (Middle District of Florida at 696) and the median district (approximately 135 filings) illustrates how bankruptcy activity concentrates in population-dense and economically stressed regions. This geographic concentration suggests that economic distress and filing patterns are highly localized, with certain districts experiencing filing rates more than 100 times higher than others.

Current Year Focus Through the first 44 weeks of 2025, the nation has accumulated 480,749 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an average of 10,926 filings per week across all districts and chapters. The year has shown consistent quarterly performance with Q1 totaling 132,052 filings, Q2 reaching 144,207 filings, and Q3 recording 143,558 filings. The partial fourth quarter through Week 44 has already accumulated 60,932 filings across just 5 weeks, averaging 12,186 filings per week and suggesting an acceleration in filing activity. Chapter 7 liquidations have dominated 2025 with 299,434 cases representing 62% of all filings, while Chapter 13 cases totaled 173,816 representing 36% of the year's volume. The year's highest single-week total occurred in Week 35 with 14,989 filings, while the lowest was Week 1 with just 7,530 filings, demonstrating significant week-to-week volatility.

Comparative Analysis With Previous Years Week 44 comparisons across recent years reveal a consistent upward trend, with 2025's 14,829 filings representing a 12.9% increase over 2024's 13,131 filings for the same week. Looking at year-to-date totals through Week 44, 2025 has recorded 480,749 filings compared to 432,008 in 2024, 377,430 in 2023, and 322,937 in 2022, demonstrating compound annual growth. The 2023 to 2024 comparison showed a robust 26.5% growth rate in Week 44 filings, while the 2024 to 2025 growth moderated to 12.9%, suggesting a potential stabilization of the rapid increases seen in prior years. Chapter 7 filings have grown from 193,620 in 2022 to 299,434 in 2025 through Week 44, representing a 55% increase over the three-year period. Chapter 13 filings similarly expanded from 125,804 in 2022 to 173,816 in 2025, showing a 38% increase and indicating widespread consumer financial stress across multiple bankruptcy chapters.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita The per capita filing rate for Week 44 of 2025 stands at 4.36 filings per 100,000 people based on an estimated U.S. population of 340 million. On an annualized basis using the year-to-date data through Week 44, the 2025 per capita rate reaches 141.40 filings per 100,000 people, representing a significant increase in bankruptcy intensity relative to population. For 2024's comparable 44-week period, the per capita rate was 128.19 filings per 100,000 people based on a population of 337 million, showing meaningful growth in filing propensity. The 2023 rate stood at 112.67 per 100,000 with a population of 335 million, while 2022 recorded 96.98 per 100,000 with a population of 333 million. These figures demonstrate that bankruptcy filings are not only increasing in absolute terms but are also growing faster than population growth, indicating deteriorating financial conditions for American households and businesses.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita The per capita filing rate has accelerated dramatically over the past three years, with 2023 showing 16.2% growth over 2022, followed by 13.8% growth in 2024 over 2023. The 2025 per capita rate through Week 44 demonstrates 10.3% growth over the comparable 2024 period, suggesting that while growth continues, the rate of acceleration is moderating. From 2022's baseline of 96.98 filings per 100,000 people to 2025's 141.40 per 100,000 represents a 46% increase in just three years. This translates to an additional 44 people per 100,000 seeking bankruptcy protection in 2025 compared to 2022, a substantial shift in financial distress patterns. The compounding effect of these annual increases means that even if growth rates continue to moderate, the absolute number of Americans filing for bankruptcy will remain significantly elevated above pre-2022 levels.

Forecast for the Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year With 8 weeks remaining in 2025 after Week 44, and considering the recent average of 12,186 filings per week from Weeks 40-44, the projected total for the remaining weeks would reach approximately 97,491 additional filings. This would bring the full-year 2025 total to approximately 578,240 bankruptcy filings across all chapters and districts. Using the year-to-date average of 10,926 filings per week would yield a more conservative estimate of 87,408 additional filings, resulting in a full-year total of 568,157 cases. The recent uptick in weekly averages during the fourth quarter suggests the higher projection may be more accurate, as seasonal factors and year-end financial pressures typically drive increased filing activity. These projections indicate that 2025 will conclude with total filings approximately 11-13% higher than 2024's full-year total, continuing the multi-year trend of increasing bankruptcy case volumes.

Forecast for the Trends of Increasing Filings After 2024 Historical growth patterns from 2023 through 2025 show annual increases averaging 14.2%, with 2023 growing 16.9% over 2022, 2024 growing 14.5% over 2023, and 2025 tracking 11.3% growth through Week 44. Applying this average growth rate to the projected 2025 total of 578,240 would suggest approximately 660,383 filings in 2026 and 754,195 filings in 2027, though such projections carry significant uncertainty. A more conservative forecast assuming a 20% slowdown in growth rates would project 2026 filings around 643,954 cases, reflecting potential economic stabilization or policy interventions. The declining growth rates from 16.9% in 2023 to potentially 11-12% in 2025 suggest that while filings will likely continue increasing, the rate of acceleration is moderating as the market adjusts to new economic conditions. Long-term trends indicate that absent significant economic intervention or recovery, annual bankruptcy filings could exceed 700,000 by 2027, representing nearly double the 2022 baseline and establishing a new elevated plateau for American consumer and business financial distress.

For the latest fully completed week in 2025 (week 44), total national filings were 14,829. Within that same week, 9,464 were Chapter 7, 201 were Chapter 11, 9 were Chapter 12, and 5,155 were Chapter 13. These chapter totals exactly sum to the national total of 14,829 for the week. This week 44 row is marked as the final fully completed week and is the basis for all comparisons. It occurs within 2025 through week 44 and is included in the analysis cutoff of 2025-11-03.

An interesting fact is that weekly volume jumped sharply week over week from 11,550 in week 43 to 14,829 in week 44. Chapter 7 rose from 7,335 to 9,464 over that same span. Chapter 13 climbed from 4,090 to 5,155 in one week. Even Chapter 11 increased from 120 to 201 filings, while Chapter 12 moved from 5 to 9. The combined increase of 3,279 filings week over week equals the difference between 14,829 and 11,550.

District-level filings this week show notable concentration among several courts, led by FLM at 696 filings. CAC followed at 695, with ILN at 543, GAN at 470, and MIE at 464. Together, these five districts contributed 2,868 filings to the national total of 14,829. That means these top districts alone accounted for roughly 19.33% of the week’s filings based on the 2,868 figure. Each of these district numbers is a single-district count, not a national total, and they sum into the 14,829 national figure.

Geographic disparities are visible when comparing the maximum and minimum district totals of 696 (FLM) and 0 (NMI). The median district total this week is 127 filings across 94 districts measured. The spread from 0 to 696 highlights uneven filing pressure across regions. The top district’s 696 filings represent about 4.69% of the national 14,829. Meanwhile, the median district at 127 is only 0.86% of 14,829, indicating a long tail of smaller weekly counts.

Focusing on the current year through week 44, the cumulative national total is 480,749 filings. The same year-to-date point last year was 432,008, implying an increase of 48,741 filings. The current year’s average weekly total stands at 10,926.11 based on weekly data through week 44. This compares to 9,687.25 as the average weekly level in 2024. Within the latest week, the national count of 14,829 exceeds the 2025 average of 10,926.11.

Compared to the same week one year earlier, filings rose from 13,131 in 2024’s week 44 to 14,829 in 2025’s week 44. By chapter for 2024’s week 44, there were 8,265 Chapter 7, 217 Chapter 11, 7 Chapter 12, and 4,642 Chapter 13 filings. By chapter for 2025’s week 44, there were 9,464, 201, 9, and 5,155 respectively. Average weekly totals have climbed from 7,275.33 in 2022 to 8,560.88 in 2023 and 9,687.25 in 2024. The current year’s average of 10,926.11 continues that multi-year rise.

To translate national activity into people-adjusted terms, use the latest week’s 14,829 filings as the numerator. Using a constant U.S. population baseline for illustration, the per-100,000 rate this week corresponds to 4.44 based on 14,829 filings. For context, last week’s 11,550 filings equate to 3.458 per 100,000 on the same baseline. The difference in these rates is 0.982 per 100,000 between 14,829 and 11,550. These per-person metrics are anchored to weekly counts from the dataset, including 14,829 and 11,550.

Looking at the change in people-adjusted terms, the week-over-week increase of 0.982 per 100,000 mirrors the raw rise from 11,550 to 14,829. Over the year to date, 480,749 filings correspond to about 143.937 per 100,000 on the same constant baseline. The same point last year totaled 432,008, which implies a lower people-adjusted level at that time. This suggests that normalized activity has strengthened alongside raw weekly gains like the move to 14,829. Chapter movements (e.g., Chapter 7 at 9,464 and Chapter 13 at 5,155) contribute materially to these per-person shifts.

For the remainder of the year after week 44, there are 8 scheduled weeks left using a 52-week year assumption. The trailing eight-week average is 11,811.5, derived from weekly national totals up to 14,829. Multiplying 11,811.5 by 8 yields a projected additional 94,492 filings. Adding that to the current year-to-date 480,749 implies a year-end projection near 575,241. This simple forecast uses only weekly history, including the most recent 14,829 observation.

Beyond 2024, the trend in average weekly activity has been upward from 7,275.33 (2022) to 8,560.88 (2023) to 9,687.25 (2024) and 10,926.11 (2025 to date). The compound growth rate of average weekly filings from 2022 to 2025 is about 14.52% annually using those weekly averages. If that momentum moderates but persists, averages beyond 10,926.11 would remain plausible. Near-term acceleration is also consistent with the latest weekly 14,829 and the 94,492 remainder forecast. Chapter composition this week—9,464 in Chapter 7 and 5,155 in Chapter 13—supports the notion of continued elevated weekly readings.

2025 Week 44 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated October 27th, 2025)

Week 43 bankruptcy filings showed a double-digit increase compared to the same week in 2024, continuing the elevated filing trend we've seen throughout most of 2025. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 14.11% year-over-year (6,428 in 2024 to 7,335 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 13.27% year-over-year (3,611 in 2024 to 4,090 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 12.15% year-over-year (107 in 2024 to 120 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 43 of 2025 recorded a total of 11,550 bankruptcy filings nationwide, representing a substantial 10.7% increase from the previous week's 10,435 filings. Chapter 7 liquidation cases dominated with 7,335 filings, accounting for 63.5% of all cases filed during this period. Chapter 13 reorganization cases comprised 4,090 filings or 35.4% of the total, while Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 120 cases. Chapter 12 farm reorganization remained minimal with only 5 filings for the week. This distribution reflects the continued dominance of personal bankruptcy filings over business-related cases in the current economic environment.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. The most striking aspect of Week 43's filings is the remarkable 13.8% year-over-year increase compared to the same week in 2024, when 10,146 cases were filed. This represents an additional 1,404 bankruptcy cases filed in a single week compared to the previous year's corresponding period. The growth rate exceeds the year-to-date average increase of 11.2%, suggesting an acceleration in filing trends as we approach the year's end. Looking back further, Week 43 of 2023 saw only 9,336 filings, meaning this week's total represents a 23.7% increase over a two-year period. This sustained upward trajectory indicates persistent financial pressures affecting American households and businesses despite varying economic conditions.

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 591 bankruptcy filings in Week 43, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 554 filings. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 426 cases, while the Eastern District of Michigan contributed 389 filings to the national total. Other significant contributors included the Northern District of Georgia with 384 filings, the Southern District of Florida with 319 cases, and Arizona with 296 filings. The combined filings from just these top seven districts accounted for 2,959 cases, representing approximately 25.6% of the national total, highlighting the concentration of bankruptcy activity in major metropolitan areas.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The geographic distribution of bankruptcy filings reveals substantial disparities, with district filing numbers ranging from 591 in California's Central District to zero in Guam. The standard deviation of 67.2 filings across districts against an average of 51.1 filings produces a coefficient of variation of 131.5%, indicating extremely high variability in filing patterns nationwide. Major urban centers like New York Eastern (279 filings), Texas Southern (199 filings), and Texas Northern (227 filings) show significantly higher filing rates than rural districts. Pennsylvania's Eastern and Western districts recorded 95 and 88 filings respectively, demonstrating even within-state variations. This geographic inequality reflects diverse regional economic conditions, population densities, and varying impacts of inflation and unemployment across different parts of the country.

Current year focus. Through the first 43 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 465,920 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an average of 10,835 filings per week. The quarterly progression shows Q1 with 132,052 filings, Q2 with 144,207 filings, and Q3 with 143,558 filings, while the partial Q4 through Week 43 has already accumulated 46,103 filings. Monthly averages have fluctuated throughout 2025, starting at 8,448 weekly filings in the first month and peaking at 11,766 in the tenth month. The second half of 2025 has averaged 11,104 weekly filings compared to 10,554 in the first half, representing a 5.2% acceleration in filing rates. With nine weeks remaining in 2025, the projected annual total of 563,438 filings would represent the highest annual filing count in recent years.

Comparative analysis with previous years. The 465,920 filings through Week 43 of 2025 represent an 11.2% increase over the same period in 2024, which had 418,877 filings, and a 26.9% increase over 2023's 367,053 filings. Full-year totals show a clear upward trajectory with 2022 recording 378,317 filings, 2023 reaching 445,166 filings, and 2024 totaling 503,737 filings. The compound annual growth rate from 2022 to 2024 was 15.4%, indicating sustained momentum in bankruptcy filing increases. The 2023 to 2024 growth rate of 13.2% has been maintained into 2025, suggesting consistent economic pressures rather than temporary spikes. This three-year trend represents the most significant sustained increase in bankruptcy filings since the financial crisis recovery period.

Analyzing the filings per capita. Week 43's 11,550 filings translate to approximately 3.4 bankruptcy cases per 100,000 Americans, compared to 3.0 per 100,000 during the same week in 2024. This 13.8% increase in the per capita filing rate indicates that bankruptcy growth is outpacing population growth, suggesting deepening financial distress across the population. The current per capita rate represents one of the highest weekly rates observed in recent years, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. When annualized, the current rate suggests approximately 177 bankruptcy filings per 100,000 Americans for 2025. This per capita increase affects all demographic segments but appears particularly pronounced in districts with high cost-of-living indices and variable employment markets.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The evolution of per capita bankruptcy rates reveals an accelerating trend, with the rate increasing from approximately 2.4 per 100,000 in Week 43 of 2022 to the current 3.4 per 100,000. This 41.7% increase over three years represents a significant shift in Americans' financial stability and debt management capabilities. The rate of change has been remarkably consistent, with year-over-year per capita increases averaging between 12% and 15% since 2023. Urban districts are experiencing faster per capita growth rates than rural areas, with California's Central District showing a per capita rate nearly double the national average. These changing per capita dynamics suggest structural economic challenges rather than cyclical variations, indicating potential long-term shifts in household financial health.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the current average of 10,835 weekly filings in 2025 and with nine weeks remaining, we project an additional 97,515 filings, bringing the annual total to approximately 563,438 cases. This projection assumes maintenance of current filing rates without accounting for typical year-end acceleration, which historically adds 5-10% to fourth-quarter volumes. If the recent four-week average of 11,526 filings continues, the year could close with 567,654 total filings. The November-December period traditionally sees increased consumer bankruptcy filings due to holiday spending pressures, potentially pushing the final total toward 570,000 cases. This would represent a 13.1% increase over 2024's total of 503,737 filings, maintaining the consistent double-digit growth pattern observed throughout 2025.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The sustained 15.4% compound annual growth rate from 2022-2024, combined with 2025's projected 13% increase, suggests bankruptcy filings could reach 640,000-650,000 by 2026 if current trends persist. Economic indicators including persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and increasing consumer debt levels support continued elevation in bankruptcy rates through at least 2026. The acceleration observed in 2025's second half, with a 5.2% increase over the first half, indicates momentum that will likely carry into early 2026. Historical patterns following periods of sustained economic stress suggest filing rates could plateau around 650,000-700,000 annually before stabilizing or declining. However, factors such as student loan payment resumptions, commercial real estate stress, and potential recession risks could push 2026-2027 filings even higher, potentially approaching pre-2005 bankruptcy reform levels of 750,000+ annual filings.

Overview of this Week's National Filings
In Week 43 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings nationwide reached 11,550 cases. This week’s filings included 7,335 Chapter 7 cases, 120 Chapter 11 cases, 5 Chapter 12 cases, and 4,090 Chapter 13 cases. This marks the highest weekly total observed in 2025 so far, confirming a sustained rise in bankruptcy activity throughout the year. Compared to previous weeks in 2025, which averaged 10,818 filings, Week 43 saw an increase of over 730 cases. These figures highlight the financial pressures facing individuals and businesses in the current economic climate.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
An intriguing detail from Week 43 is that Chapter 13 filings (4,090 cases) made up over 35% of all bankruptcies filed, which is a notably high proportion. While Chapter 7 remains dominant, the rise in Chapter 13 filings indicates more wage earners opting to restructure rather than liquidate their debt. Additionally, Chapter 11 filings at 120 cases this week are well above the 2025 weekly average of around 97. This could reflect distress in small-to-mid-sized businesses seeking reorganization instead of closure. The simultaneous strength in both consumer and business filings adds complexity to the narrative of financial distress this year.

District-Level Filings Overview
This week’s district-level data shows particularly high activity in populous regions such as the Central District of California (CAC), the Northern District of Illinois (ILN), and the Southern District of Texas (TXS). These districts have consistently contributed significant volumes, and their aggregated totals remain a key driver of the national count. For example, in many previous weeks, CAC alone contributed upwards of 300 filings weekly across chapters. The national total of 11,550 filings derives from aggregating all these districts’ contributions under different chapters. The distribution of filings among districts offers insight into both local economic conditions and the relative size of their populations.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There is substantial geographic disparity in filings, with states like California, Texas, and Illinois typically dominating the totals, while states like Vermont, North Dakota, and Wyoming post minimal numbers. This disparity reflects differences in population, economic diversity, and local financial stressors. For instance, states with urban concentrations and higher housing costs tend to report more Chapter 13 filings, whereas rural states may see more sporadic Chapter 12 filings. In Week 43, most Chapter 12 cases (a total of 5) were likely concentrated in agricultural regions, further emphasizing their rural association. Such spatial imbalances require tailored financial assistance and policy responses.

Current Year Focus
Through Week 43, the average weekly filing count in 2025 is 10,818, reflecting a significant escalation from the 2024 weekly average of 9,687. The cumulative pattern shows a steady climb throughout 2025, culminating in this week’s peak of 11,550 cases. Not only are filings increasing in volume, but the consistency of this trend also marks 2025 as a pivotal year post-pandemic. The rise is particularly driven by Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, indicating both individual insolvency and structured debt repayment attempts. Week-over-week analysis suggests that national economic hardship remains pervasive and persistent this year.

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