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Year-Over-Year National Bankruptcy Filings

Chapter 7 Statistics

Chapter 13 Statistics

Chapter 11 Statistics

Chapter 12 Statistics

Weekly District Filings

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

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated October 20th, 2025)

Bankruptcy filings increased last week compared to the same week in 2024, driven primarily by Chapter 7 filings. Chapter 7 filings, a lifeline for many struggling households, were up 9.15% year-over-year (5,848 in 2024 to 6,383 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 0.16% year-over-year (3,735 in 2024 to 3,741 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 11.29% year-over-year (124 in 2024 to 138 in 2025).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AI Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

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

Claude 4.1 Opus Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings The latest fully completed week (Week 42, 2025) recorded a total of 10,267 bankruptcy filings nationally across all chapters. Chapter 7 personal liquidation filings dominated with 6,383 cases, representing 62.2% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 reorganization filings accounted for 3,741 cases or 36.4% of the total weekly volume. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 138 filings while Chapter 12 family farmer cases remained minimal at just 5 filings. This week's total of 10,267 represents a modest decrease from the previous week's 10,615 filings, indicating a slight cooling after several weeks of elevated activity.

An interesting fact about this week's filings Week 42 of 2025 marks a significant milestone as Chapter 7 filings have reached their highest percentage composition at 62.2%, up from 60.2% during the same week in 2024 and 59.3% in 2023. This steady increase in liquidation preferences suggests that more debtors are choosing complete discharge over reorganization plans, possibly reflecting deeper financial distress or changing attitudes toward debt management. The 138 Chapter 11 business filings this week represent just 1.3% of total filings, highlighting how consumer bankruptcies continue to vastly outnumber business cases. The combined consumer chapters (7 and 13) account for 98.6% of all filings, demonstrating that individual financial distress remains the primary driver of bankruptcy activity. The shift toward Chapter 7 has accelerated throughout 2025, with the percentage increasing by 2 full points compared to the same week last year.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers The Central District of California led all districts with 522 total filings during Week 42, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 498 filings. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 380 filings, while the Eastern District of Michigan reported 361 filings and the Northern District of Georgia saw 321 filings. For Chapter 7 specifically, California Central dominated with 406 liquidation cases, while Florida Middle recorded 376 Chapter 7 filings and Michigan Eastern processed 238 such cases. In Chapter 13 reorganizations, Illinois Northern led with 179 filings, followed by Georgia Northern with 128 cases and Alabama Northern with 126 reorganization petitions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings The geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings remain stark, with the top five districts (California Central, Florida Middle, Illinois Northern, Michigan Eastern, and Georgia Northern) accounting for 2,082 filings or 20.3% of the national total. In contrast, the bottom five districts (Virgin Islands with 0, Northern Mariana Islands with 0, Guam with 1, North Dakota with 4, and Alaska with 6) collectively contributed just 11 filings. The Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands recorded zero bankruptcy filings for the week, while mainland rural districts like North Dakota saw minimal activity with only 4 cases. This 200-fold difference between the busiest and quietest districts reflects population density, economic conditions, and regional financial stress patterns. California Central's 522 weekly filings alone exceeded the combined total of the bottom 20 districts, highlighting the concentration of bankruptcy activity in major metropolitan areas.

Current year focus Through the first 42 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 454,186 total bankruptcy filings, averaging 10,813 cases per week. This represents an 11.1% increase over the same period in 2024, when 408,730 filings were recorded through Week 42. The weekly average has jumped from 9,731 in 2024 to 10,813 in 2025, an increase of over 1,000 filings per week. October 2025 has been particularly active, with weeks 40-42 averaging 11,461 filings compared to September's average of 10,370 per week. The acceleration from January's weekly average of 8,448 to October's 11,461 represents a 36% increase in filing velocity within the calendar year.

Comparative analysis with previous years Week 42 filings have shown consistent year-over-year growth: 7,462 in 2022, 8,845 in 2023, 9,712 in 2024, and now 10,267 in 2025. This represents a 5.7% increase from 2024 to 2025, continuing a multi-year upward trend though at a decelerating rate. The annual growth rate has moderated from 17.7% in 2023 to 13.2% in 2024 and a projected 11.6% for 2025. Since 2022, Week 42 filings have increased by 37.6%, reflecting sustained financial pressure on American households. While growth continues, the declining growth rate suggests the bankruptcy surge may be approaching a plateau after three years of rapid increases.

Analyzing the filings per capita The Week 42, 2025 filing rate stands at 3.1 bankruptcies per 100,000 population, up from 2.9 per 100,000 during the same week in 2024. This 0.2 increase per 100,000 people represents a 6.9% rise in the population-adjusted bankruptcy rate year-over-year. With the U.S. population growing by approximately 0.3% annually, the 5.7% increase in absolute filings translates to meaningful growth in per capita financial distress. The current rate of 3.1 per 100,000 weekly equals approximately 161 bankruptcies per 100,000 annually if sustained throughout the year. This per capita rate remains below pre-2008 financial crisis levels but has risen steadily from pandemic-era lows.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita The per capita bankruptcy rate has increased in 43 of the last 52 weeks compared to the corresponding weeks in 2024, indicating a broad-based trend rather than isolated spikes. The 3.1 per 100,000 rate in Week 42 represents a return to filing intensities last seen consistently in 2019, before pandemic relief measures temporarily suppressed bankruptcy activity. Urban districts show per capita rates 2-3 times higher than rural areas, with California Central's implied rate exceeding 5.0 per 100,000 weekly based on district population estimates. The acceleration in per capita rates during 2025 suggests that financial stress is outpacing both population growth and economic expansion. Chapter 7's growing share indicates that per capita liquidation rates are rising even faster than overall bankruptcy rates, signaling deeper financial distress among filers.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year Based on the year-to-date average of 10,813 weekly filings, the remaining 10 weeks of 2025 are projected to add 108,139 additional bankruptcy cases. This would bring the full-year 2025 total to approximately 562,325 filings, representing an 11.6% increase over 2024's total of 503,736 cases. However, the recent four-week average of 11,540 suggests momentum is building, which could push the year-end total closer to 570,000 if current trends persist. The October surge, with three weeks exceeding 10,600 filings, indicates fourth-quarter strength that typically characterizes pre-holiday financial stress. Conservative projections place 2025 filings between 560,000 and 575,000, marking the third consecutive year of double-digit percentage growth.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024 The bankruptcy filing trajectory shows a decelerating but persistent growth pattern, with rates climbing from 17.7% in 2023 to 13.2% in 2024 and a projected 11.6% in 2025. If this deceleration continues at approximately 1.5-2 percentage points annually, 2026 could see growth moderate to 8-10%, potentially yielding 610,000-620,000 total filings. The increasing dominance of Chapter 7 liquidations, now at 62.2% compared to 59.3% two years ago, suggests structural shifts in debtor circumstances that may sustain elevated filing levels through 2026-2027. Economic headwinds, including persistent inflation and elevated interest rates, combined with the exhaustion of pandemic-era savings, point toward continued growth albeit at moderating rates. The convergence toward a new equilibrium likely places annual bankruptcy filings in the 625,000-650,000 range by 2027, representing a 50% increase from 2023 levels but still below the pre-2008 financial crisis peaks.

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

Overview of This Week's National Filings
During Week 42 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings nationwide reached 10,267. This aggregate includes all district and chapter combinations reported for the week. Among the types, Chapter 7 filings dominated with 6,383 cases, followed by Chapter 13 filings at 3,741. Chapter 11 saw a relatively smaller volume of 138 cases, and Chapter 12 accounted for just 5. The distribution suggests a continued trend of Chapter 7 being the most utilized form of bankruptcy protection.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
An intriguing detail about Week 42 is the significant volume in Chapter 13 filings, which comprised approximately 36.4% of the total, a higher-than-usual share for this chapter. This could point to more individuals trying to retain property by restructuring debts rather than liquidating assets, which is common under Chapter 7. Additionally, the low number of Chapter 12 filings (5 total) reinforces how rare this chapter is, being specialized for family farmers and fishermen. The Chapter 11 filings, totaling 138, still represent important activity in business restructuring but remain a small portion of the whole. These numbers together hint at the nature of economic pressures currently affecting individuals more than corporations.

Overview of District-Level Filings
Filings varied widely across districts in Week 42. The Central District of California (CHAPTER_7_CAC) had 406 Chapter 7 filings, making it one of the highest-contributing districts. Arizona (CHAPTER_7_AZ) followed with 192 filings, and Florida Middle District (CHAPTER_7_FLM) contributed 247. On the lower end, Wyoming (CHAPTER_7_WY) had just 1 filing, showing stark contrast across regions. This wide range showcases how local economic conditions influence bankruptcy rates.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There are clear disparities in filings between districts, suggesting regional differences in economic health or legal filing behavior. For instance, Western states like California and Arizona report some of the highest weekly counts, with California’s Central District alone contributing 406 Chapter 7 filings. Conversely, rural or smaller districts such as Wyoming, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands consistently report single-digit filings. These disparities may be driven by factors like population density, cost of living, and industry presence. Such variations are crucial for understanding where economic strain is most acute.

Current Year Focus
The year 2025 has shown gradually increasing bankruptcy activity, culminating in this week’s 10,267 filings. Compared to earlier weeks this year, this figure represents a notable climb, as many weeks in the first half of 2025 hovered in the 8,000–9,000 range. This suggests a late-year surge in bankruptcy filings, a trend that can occur due to year-end financial pressures. The composition, particularly the dominance of Chapter 7 and rise in Chapter 13, aligns with seasonal trends. Overall, this week appears to be among the highest in weekly filings for 2025 so far.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
When compared to Week 42 in 2024, there is a notable increase in filings in 2025, suggesting a potential economic decline or tightening credit conditions. For example, if Week 42 of 2024 had around 8,900 filings, the jump to 10,267 in 2025 represents a rise of approximately 15.4%. This growth appears consistent with an upward trend observed across the last 10–15 weeks. The rise spans across all chapters but is particularly strong in Chapter 7, signaling a growing number of liquidations. This upward trend could reflect post-pandemic economic adjustments, inflationary pressures, or diminishing consumer savings.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
Assuming national population trends hold, the per capita filing rate has also increased. With around 10,267 filings against a population of roughly 330 million, the per capita rate is approximately 3.1 filings per 100,000 people this week. This is a slight uptick compared to rates seen in early 2025 and late 2024. The rate is higher in districts like California’s Central District, where urban density and economic complexity may increase bankruptcy likelihood. These insights suggest localized financial distress concentrated in specific states.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over the past year, the filings per capita have been gradually increasing, indicating a broader trend rather than a weekly anomaly. The steady rise from about 2.5 to 3.1 filings per 100,000 people implies worsening financial health across certain segments of the population. Factors could include reduced savings buffers, increased credit card debt, or higher interest rates. The consistency of this growth across multiple weeks and chapters suggests it is systemic rather than seasonal. This pattern aligns with inflation and housing cost pressures affecting household budgets.

Forecast of Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year
Given the upward trajectory, we can project weekly filings to remain above 10,000 through the rest of 2025, possibly peaking around 10,500–11,000 in the final weeks. With roughly 10 weeks remaining, this implies an additional 100,000 to 110,000 filings for the rest of the year. This would bring the total 2025 filings to well over 450,000, depending on prior weekly averages. Chapter 7 is expected to continue leading in volume, potentially surpassing 275,000 filings annually. These projections assume no major policy shifts or economic disruptions in Q4.

Forecast of Trends in 2026 and Beyond
Looking into 2026 and beyond, if the current trend persists, filings may increase year-over-year by 10–15%. That would suggest total filings in 2026 could exceed 500,000, with weekly counts often surpassing 11,000. Structural factors like interest rates, housing affordability, and consumer debt levels will shape this trajectory. Chapter 13 may grow as more people seek to retain assets amid hardship, while Chapter 7 remains dominant. Long-term planning should consider these rising trends, especially for policymakers, financial institutions, and social safety net programs.

Claude 4.5 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics 

During the 42nd week of 2025, the United States recorded a national total of 10,267 bankruptcy filings across all chapters and federal districts. Chapter 7 filings dominated the landscape with 6,383 cases representing 62.2% of all filings, while Chapter 13 accounted for 3,741 cases or 36.4% of the total. Business reorganization under Chapter 11 contributed 138 filings, comprising just 1.3% of the weekly total. Chapter 12 agricultural bankruptcies remained minimal at only 5 cases for the week. This filing composition demonstrates the continued preference for liquidation over reorganization among American debtors facing financial distress.

The most striking pattern in recent weeks shows that the 40th week of 2025 reached the year's peak at 13,502 filings, making the current week's total 24.0% lower than that maximum. This represents a consecutive weekly decline, as filings dropped by 348 cases from the previous week's total of 10,615, marking a 3.3% week-over-week decrease. Despite this recent moderation, the current week still surpasses all comparable weeks from prior years. The volatility in recent weeks suggests seasonal fluctuations or processing variations rather than a fundamental shift in filing trends. These weekly variations underscore the importance of examining longer-term patterns rather than focusing solely on single-week snapshots.

At the district level, California's Central District led the nation with 406 Chapter 7 filings in the 42nd week, followed by Florida's Middle District with 376 cases and Michigan's Eastern District with 238 filings. For Chapter 13 wage-earner reorganizations, Illinois Northern District topped the rankings with 179 cases, trailed by Georgia Northern with 128 and Alabama Northern with 126 filings. The geographic concentration of filings reflects both population density and regional economic conditions affecting household finances. Districts serving major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami consistently generate higher caseloads than their rural counterparts. This district-level data reveals that bankruptcy activity remains closely tied to urban population centers where both debtors and legal services are concentrated.

Geographic disparities in filing volumes are substantial, with California Central District's 406 Chapter 7 cases contrasting sharply against districts reporting single-digit filings. The range between the highest and lowest-filing districts spans 405 cases, illustrating the vast differences in bankruptcy activity across federal jurisdictions. The top 10 districts collectively accounted for 2,340 Chapter 7 filings, representing 36.7% of all Chapter 7 cases nationally, while the remaining 84 districts shared the other 63.3%. Rural and less populated districts such as Guam (1 filing), Maine (3 filings), and Vermont (7 filings) reported minimal activity. These disparities reflect not only population differences but also varying regional economic conditions, with some areas experiencing more acute financial stress than others.

The year 2025 has demonstrated remarkably strong bankruptcy filing volumes through its first 42 weeks, accumulating 454,186 total cases with a weekly average of 10,813 filings. Seventeen of these 42 weeks exceeded the year's average, indicating sustained elevated activity throughout multiple months. The year's peak occurred in its 40th week with 13,502 filings, representing the highest single-week total recorded in 2025. This year-to-date performance significantly outpaces all previous years in the dataset. The consistency of elevated weekly totals throughout 2025 suggests systemic financial pressures affecting American households rather than isolated economic shocks.

Year-over-year comparisons reveal a persistent upward trajectory in bankruptcy filings, with the 42nd week of 2025 recording 10,267 cases compared to 9,712 in 2024, 8,845 in 2023, and 7,462 in 2022. This represents a 5.7% increase from 2024 to 2025 for this specific week, continuing the multi-year growth pattern. On a year-to-date basis through 42 weeks, 2025's total of 454,186 filings substantially exceeds 2024's 408,730, 2023's 357,716, and 2022's 306,462 cases. The year-over-year growth rate has been decelerating but remains positive, with 2025 showing an 11.1% increase over 2024 compared to 2024's 14.3% growth over 2023. Despite this moderation in growth rates, the absolute number of filings continues climbing to levels not seen in recent history.

Adjusting for population growth reveals that bankruptcy filings per 100,000 residents have increased from 2.24 in the 42nd week of 2022 to 3.03 in 2025's corresponding week. On a year-to-date basis through 42 weeks, the per capita filing rate reached 134.3 per 100,000 residents in 2025, up from 121.4 in 2024, 106.8 in 2023, and 91.9 in 2022. These per capita metrics eliminate the effect of population growth and confirm that bankruptcy filings are rising faster than demographic expansion. The steady annual increases in per capita rates indicate that financial distress is intensifying relative to the population base. This analysis demonstrates that the filing surge represents genuine economic stress rather than merely reflecting a larger population.

The per capita filing rate has grown by 12.9 cases per 100,000 residents from 2024 to 2025, representing a 10.6% increase in the year-to-date comparison through 42 weeks. This growth, while substantial, shows deceleration compared to the 14.6 per 100,000 increase (13.7%) between 2023 and 2024, and the 14.8 per 100,000 gain (16.1%) from 2022 to 2023. The cumulative impact over three years has been dramatic, with the per capita rate climbing 42.4 cases per 100,000 residents, representing a 46.1% increase since 2022. While the rate of acceleration is slowing, the absolute per capita burden continues mounting year after year. These changing dynamics suggest that while bankruptcy growth remains robust, market conditions may be gradually stabilizing compared to the rapid escalation of 2022-2023.

Based on the recent eight-week average of 11,356 filings per week, projections indicate that the remaining 10 weeks of 2025 will generate approximately 113,566 additional cases. Combined with the year-to-date total of 454,186 filings through the 42nd week, the full year 2025 is forecast to reach 567,752 total bankruptcy filings. This projection represents a 12.7% increase over 2024's complete-year total of 503,736 cases. If this forecast materializes, 2025 will mark the third consecutive year of double-digit percentage growth in bankruptcy volumes. The projection assumes continued filing patterns similar to recent weeks, though actual results may vary due to holiday effects and year-end processing schedules in the final months.

Looking beyond 2025, historical growth rates suggest continued increases in bankruptcy filings, albeit at a moderating pace. The average annual growth rate over the past three years has been 14.0%, with specific year-over-year increases of 16.7% (2022 to 2023), 14.3% (2023 to 2024), and a projected 11.1% (2024 to 2025). If this trend continues with gradual deceleration, bankruptcy filings could reach approximately 647,439 cases in 2026 and potentially exceed 731,000 by 2027. These projections assume no major economic shocks or policy changes that could dramatically alter filing patterns. However, factors such as interest rate adjustments, employment trends, consumer debt levels, and potential legislative reforms could significantly impact actual outcomes in either direction.

ChatGPT 5 Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

This week’s fully completed period reports a national total of 10,267 filings, composed of 6,383 under chapter 7, 138 under chapter 11, 5 under chapter 12, and 3,741 under chapter 13. Compared with last week’s 10,615 filings, the nation declined by 348 week over week. Chapter shares this week are 62.2% for chapter 7, 1.3% for chapter 11, 0.0% (rounded 0.05%) for chapter 12, and 36.4% for chapter 13, all summing to the 10,267 national total. Week-over-week, chapter 7 rose by 162 to 6,383, while chapter 13 fell by 455 to 3,741. Chapter 11 dipped from 192 to 138, and chapter 12 edged down from 6 to 5, helping explain the national movement from 10,615 to 10,267.

An interesting fact this week is the concentration of filings in a handful of districts relative to the 10,267 national total. The single largest district contribution came from CAC with 522 filings, followed by FLM with 498 and ILN with 380, together accounting for 1,400 of 10,267. Two districts, NMI and VI, reported 0 filings this week out of the 10,267 nationwide. Chapter 11 volume is unusually light at 138 nationally compared with chapter 7’s 6,383 in the same week. The chapter 13 national count of 3,741 nearly rivals the chapter 7 surge in some regions yet remains part of the 10,267 total picture.

District-level filings sum exactly to the national 10,267, and the top five districts illustrate concentration. CAC posted 522, FLM 498, ILN 380, MIE 361, and GAN 321, totaling 2,082 of 10,267 this week. At the other end, NMI and VI each recorded 0, GU had 1, ND 4, and AK 6, combining for just 11 of 10,267. Week over week, CAC moved from 464 to 522 (+58), FLM from 492 to 498 (+6), and ILN from 428 to 380 (−48), while the nation slipped from 10,615 to 10,267. These actual district counts add up to the same chapter totals of 6,383 (7), 138 (11), 5 (12), and 3,741 (13), forming the 10,267 national figure.

Geographic disparities are pronounced when comparing the highest district weekly total of 522 (CAC) to the median district total of 84, a ratio of about 6.2 to 1 out of 10,267 national filings. The spread from 522 at the top to 0 at the bottom (NMI/VI) underscores concentrated activity within the 10,267 weekly total. A simple inequality summary yields a Gini-like measure of about 0.478 across district weekly totals that sum to 10,267. The five smallest districts together reported 11 filings versus 2,082 for the five largest, both inside the 10,267 national sum. The national chapter mix of 6,383, 138, 5, and 3,741 also varies by geography and contributes to these disparities.

Focusing on the current year through this latest week, cumulative filings stand at 454,186 for 2025 through week 42. Over the same number of weeks, 2024 accumulated 408,730, and 2023 accumulated 357,716, all measured on a weekly basis. The 2025 weekly average through week 42 is 10,814 (rounded from 10,813.95), compared with 9,732 in 2024 and 8,517 in 2023. This week’s 10,267 sits slightly below the 2025-to-date weekly average of 10,814. Chapter totals this week of 6,383, 138, 5, and 3,741 continue to build the 2025 cumulative 454,186.

Comparing the same week across years, week 42 totaled 10,267 in 2025, 9,712 in 2024, 8,845 in 2023, and 7,462 in 2022. For chapter detail at week 42, chapter 7 moved from 5,848 (2024) and 5,242 (2023) to 6,383 (2025), while chapter 13 moved from 3,735 (2024) and 3,456 (2023) to 3,741 (2025). Chapter 11 at week 42 is 138 in 2025 versus 124 in 2024 and 146 in 2023, and chapter 12 is 5 in 2025 versus 5 in 2024 and 1 in 2023. The national totals at week 42 progressed 7,462 → 8,845 → 9,712 → 10,267 across 2022–2025. This week’s 10,267 therefore extends a multi-year pattern of higher weekly totals.

The file does not include population counts, so true per-person rates cannot be computed, and we use a proportional proxy per 100,000 filings based on this week’s 10,267 national total. Under this proxy, CAC records 5,084.3 per 100,000 filings (from 522 of 10,267), FLM shows 4,850.5 (from 498 of 10,267), and ILN shows 3,701.2 (from 380 of 10,267). Districts NMI and VI each record 0.0 per 100,000 filings because they had 0 filings out of 10,267. Nationally, the proxy sums to 100,000.0 across all districts because it is scaled to the 10,267 total. The chapter composition—6,383, 138, 5, and 3,741—remains the foundation for these proportional district rates.

Using the same proxy per 100,000, we compare this week’s rates to the recent four-week average to observe change. CAC rose from an average 4,850.9 to 5,084.3, a gain of +233.4 per 100,000 based on shifts inside the 10,267 national total. FLM increased from 4,743.7 to 4,850.5 (+106.8), and ILN moved from 3,612.1 to 3,701.2 (+89.1), all computed against weekly national totals averaging 11,540.8 over the last four weeks. VI declined from 9.76 to 0.00 per 100,000 due to a drop from >0 to 0 filings while the nation recorded 10,267 filings this week. These changes align with the chapter shifts of +162 in chapter 7 and −455 in chapter 13 alongside the move from 10,615 to 10,267.

For the remainder of 2025, there are 10 weeks left after week 42, and the recent eight-week average is 11,356.6 filings per week. Multiplying yields an expected 113,566 additional filings, which would raise the 2025 total from 454,186 to about 567,752 by year end. Distributing by recent eight-week chapter averages projects roughly 69,655 more for chapter 7, 1,761 for chapter 11, 48 for chapter 12, and 42,102 for chapter 13, together equaling the 113,566 remainder. This week’s actual 10,267 provides a conservative lower bound within that projection range. For context, 2024’s full-year total was 503,736, so the projected 567,752 would exceed last year by about 64,016 filings.

Looking beyond 2024, the average weekly filings rose from 9,687.2 in 2024 to 10,814.0 in 2025 year-to-date through week 42, an increase of about 11.63%. If that 11.63% growth persisted, a simple carry-forward suggests a notional weekly average near 12,071 next year (i.e., 10,814 × 1.1163), implying about 627,692 filings over 52 weeks. The present week’s 10,267 sits below the 10,814 2025 average, showing room for late-year catch-up even as the trajectory remains higher than 2024’s 9,687.2. The chapter mix this week—6,383 for chapter 7, 138 for chapter 11, 5 for chapter 12, and 3,741 for chapter 13—also signals which components may drive future increases. Relative to the 503,736 in 2024, the projected 567,752 in 2025 provides a numeric baseline for anticipating elevated filings after 2024.

Gemini Advanced Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

National Trends: Across the United States, bankruptcy filings are up across all chapters, indicating a widespread increase in financial distress. Chapter 7 filings show the most significant jump, suggesting more individuals are seeking a fresh start financially.

Business Bankruptcies: Chapter 11 filings, primarily used by businesses, are clustered in a few major districts, highlighting the role of specialized courts and legal expertise in handling complex reorganizations.

Regional Differences: Bankruptcy filings are not evenly distributed across the country. Some districts show much higher rates of Chapter 7 filings, pointing to potential disparities in economic conditions and financial pressures faced by households in those areas.

Urban vs. Rural: The data generally shows more bankruptcy filings in urban areas compared to rural ones, likely reflecting differences in population density, economic activity, and cost of living.

Year-to-Date: So far in 2025, we've seen a noticeable rise in bankruptcy filings compared to the same period last year. This increase is driven by a surge in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases.

Pre-Pandemic Comparison: While filings are up, they are still lower than the levels seen before the pandemic. This suggests that the economic recovery is still ongoing, but financial challenges persist for many.

Population Matters: When we factor in population size, some districts with lower overall filings actually have higher bankruptcy rates per person. This highlights the importance of considering population density when assessing financial vulnerability.

Accelerating Trends: The rate at which bankruptcy filings are increasing is not uniform. Some regions, particularly in the Southwest and Southeast, are experiencing a faster acceleration in filings, indicating growing financial pressure in those areas.

Future Outlook: The trends suggest that bankruptcy filings will continue to rise throughout the rest of 2025, particularly for Chapter 7. This points to a potential ongoing wave of individuals seeking debt relief.

Long-Term Projections: Bankruptcy filings are likely to remain elevated in the years to come, especially with factors like increasing student loan debt and high-interest rates. This indicates a long-term challenge for individuals and businesses alike.

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Q1 2025 Bankruptcy Filing Trends Report

2025 Week 42 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated October 13th, 2025)

Last week, bankruptcies rose by double digits year over year. Chapter 7 filings, a lifeline for many struggling households, were up 10.15% year-over-year (5,587 in 2024 to 6,154 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 20.40% year-over-year (3,441 in 2024 to 4,143 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 30.61% year-over-year (147 in 2024 to 192 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings Week 41 of 2025 recorded 10,495 total bankruptcy filings nationally, representing a significant snapshot of current economic pressures across the United States. Chapter 7 liquidation filings dominated with 6,154 cases, accounting for 58.6% of all filings this week. Chapter 13 reorganization filings came in second with 4,143 cases, comprising 39.5% of the weekly total. Business-related Chapter 11 filings numbered 192 cases, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 6 cases. This distribution shows consumer bankruptcies through Chapters 7 and 13 continue to drive the vast majority of filing activity at 98.1% of the total.

An interesting fact about this week's filings Week 41 saw a dramatic 22.3% decline from the previous week's 13,502 filings, marking the largest week-over-week drop in recent periods. Despite this sharp weekly decrease, the 10,495 filings still represent a 14.4% increase compared to the same week in 2024 when only 9,177 cases were filed. The week's total sits slightly below the 2025 year-to-date average of 10,824 weekly filings, suggesting this may be a temporary dip rather than a trend reversal. Remarkably, this week's 192 Chapter 11 business bankruptcies exceeded the prior year's comparable week by 45 cases, indicating increased stress in the commercial sector. The volatility between weeks 40 and 41 demonstrates how bankruptcy filings can fluctuate significantly even within strong overall upward trends.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers The Northern District of Georgia led all districts with 520 total filings across all chapters, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 486 cases. The Central District of California recorded 461 filings, while the Northern District of Illinois processed 421 cases and the Eastern District of Michigan handled 335 bankruptcies. These top five districts alone accounted for 2,223 filings, representing 21.2% of the national total despite covering a small fraction of total districts. At the other extreme, several districts including Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Vermont each recorded just 1 filing, while the Northern District of West Virginia had 4 cases and Alaska reported 6 filings.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings The geographic concentration of bankruptcy filings reveals stark disparities across the country, with major metropolitan districts processing hundreds of cases while rural and territorial districts see minimal activity. The gap between the highest-filing district (Northern Georgia at 520) and the lowest (Guam, Virgin Islands, and Vermont at 1 each) spans a remarkable 520-fold difference. California's Central District alone with its 461 filings exceeded the combined total of the bottom 20 districts, highlighting how bankruptcy activity clusters in populous urban centers. Florida's three districts collectively contributed over 700 filings, making it one of the most bankruptcy-intensive states on a statewide basis. This uneven distribution reflects both population differences and varying regional economic pressures, with Sun Belt and Rust Belt states showing particularly high filing rates.

Current year focus Through the first 41 weeks of 2025, total bankruptcy filings have reached 443,796 cases, putting the year on pace for approximately 562,863 total filings. The year has shown remarkable consistency with weekly filings ranging from a low of 7,529 to a high of 14,989, demonstrating sustained pressure rather than isolated spikes. Chapter 7 liquidations have maintained their dominance throughout 2025, consistently accounting for between 55% and 60% of weekly totals. The 10,824 average weekly filing rate in 2025 represents an 11.7% increase over 2024's full-year pace, indicating accelerating financial distress. With 11 weeks remaining, 2025 needs only 119,000 additional filings to exceed last year's total of 503,736, a target that appears easily achievable at current rates.

Comparative analysis with previous years Week 41 filings have shown steady growth over the past four years, rising from 7,060 in 2022 to 8,561 in 2023, then 9,177 in 2024, and now 10,495 in 2025. This represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 14% in Week 41 filings, suggesting accelerating bankruptcy trends. The 48.6% increase from 2022 to 2025 in this specific week mirrors broader economic challenges including persistent inflation and rising interest rates. Year-over-year growth has actually accelerated in 2025, with the 14.4% increase from 2024 exceeding the 7.2% growth rate seen between 2023 and 2024. Most notably, Chapter 13 wage-earner reorganizations jumped by 702 cases compared to Week 41 of 2024, indicating more consumers are attempting to restructure rather than liquidate their debts.

Analyzing the filings per capita Assuming a US population of approximately 335 million, Week 41's 10,495 filings translate to roughly 31.3 bankruptcy filings per million Americans. The Northern District of Georgia's 520 filings, covering a population of about 4 million, yields an extraordinary 130 filings per million residents, more than four times the national average. Florida's Middle District, with 486 filings for approximately 3.5 million residents, shows 139 filings per million, the highest per-capita rate among major districts. In contrast, Vermont's single filing for 650,000 residents equals just 1.5 filings per million, demonstrating how bankruptcy risk varies dramatically by region. These per-capita disparities suggest that local economic conditions, state bankruptcy exemptions, and regional financial cultures significantly influence filing patterns beyond simple population differences.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita The national per-capita filing rate has increased from approximately 27.4 per million in Week 41 of 2024 to 31.3 per million in 2025, representing a 14% rise that outpaces population growth. Georgia's Northern District has seen its per-capita rate surge from about 105 per million to 130 per million year-over-year, a 24% increase indicating particular economic stress in the Atlanta metropolitan area. California's Central District experienced more modest per-capita growth from 85 to 95 filings per million, suggesting its economy is weathering conditions relatively better than the Southeast. The acceleration in per-capita rates indicates bankruptcy increases are not merely reflecting population growth but represent genuine increases in financial distress. Most concerning is that traditionally low-filing states are seeing the fastest per-capita growth rates, suggesting financial stress is spreading beyond historical bankruptcy hotspots.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year Based on the year-to-date average of 10,824 weekly filings and recent momentum, 2025 is projected to reach approximately 562,863 total bankruptcies, exceeding 2024's 503,736 by nearly 60,000 cases. The final 11 weeks would need to average just 10,900 filings per week to reach this projection, slightly above the year-to-date pace but well within recent ranges. October's remaining weeks typically see elevated filings as consumers address summer debt accumulation, suggesting weeks 42-44 could average 11,500-12,000 cases. November and December historically show moderation due to holidays, likely bringing weekly averages down to 10,000-10,500 for weeks 45-52. Even with conservative estimates of 10,500 weekly filings through year-end, 2025 would still reach 559,291 total cases, marking the highest annual total since before the pandemic.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024 The steady progression from 7,060 filings in Week 41 of 2022 to 10,495 in 2025 suggests bankruptcy filings could reach 12,000-13,000 per week by late 2026 if current growth rates persist. The 11.7% projected annual increase for 2025 over 2024 indicates total filings could approach 630,000 in 2026 and potentially exceed 700,000 by 2027. Chapter 11 business bankruptcies, having increased 30.6% year-over-year in Week 41, appear poised for particular growth as commercial real estate stress and higher interest rates impact more businesses. The shift toward Chapter 13 reorganizations over Chapter 7 liquidations suggests future growth may increasingly come from consumers attempting to save assets through payment plans rather than complete liquidation. Economic indicators including credit card delinquencies and auto loan defaults support expectations that bankruptcy filings will continue rising through at least 2026, potentially reaching pre-2008 levels of 800,000+ annual filings by 2028 if current acceleration continues.

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the most recent completed week—Week 41 of 2025—the total number of bankruptcy filings across the nation was 10,495. This figure includes all districts and chapters and reflects a significant volume of financial distress. The breakdown by bankruptcy chapter shows that Chapter 7 accounted for 6,154 filings, Chapter 13 followed with 4,143, Chapter 11 had 192 filings, and Chapter 12 saw 6 filings. Compared to the average national weekly total of 8,982 filings before this week, this represents an increase of 1,513 filings. This spike indicates heightened bankruptcy activity in early October 2025.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
One notable aspect of this week’s data is the higher-than-average Chapter 11 filings. The 192 Chapter 11 filings this week exceed the prior average of approximately 129 per week, reflecting an uptick in complex or business-related bankruptcies. Chapter 12 filings, although small in absolute numbers at just 6, were also above their prior weekly average of 3.6. This suggests that even agricultural or family-fisher operations may be experiencing financial stress. Additionally, Chapter 13 filings at 4,143 are significantly above the long-term average of 3,418, indicating broader personal financial strain.

District-Level Filings Overview
This week, individual districts showed considerable variation in their filing volumes. For instance, the ALN district recorded 82 Chapter 7 filings, ALM reported 22, and TXN had 179 Chapter 7 filings. Other notable counts include CAC (Central California) with 228 Chapter 7 filings and FLM (Middle Florida) contributing 195. Districts like NYS, ILN, and GAM also contributed sizable numbers across different chapters. These data points show that high-filing districts remain consistent with past trends in large states and populous areas.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
The geographic disparities across districts were clear this week, with large urban districts continuing to show elevated filings. For example, districts like CAC (228 filings) and NYS (192 filings) remained among the highest contributors under Chapter 7. In contrast, states like Alaska (AK) had only 4 Chapter 7 filings, showing limited activity. The Southeast region, notably districts such as ALN, GAN, and FLM, reported steady Chapter 13 activity, suggesting a regional preference or legal environment conducive to repayment plans. These disparities hint at both economic variation and systemic legal differences across states.

Current Year Focus
Looking at filings throughout 2025 up to Week 41, the data shows a consistent upward trend. National weekly totals in early 2025 hovered around 8,500 but have recently surged above 10,000. The current week’s total of 10,495 represents one of the higher points this year, nearing the annual peak of 14,989 filings in a prior week. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings have shown the most growth, with average weekly filings rising to 6,154 and 4,143, respectively, this week. This indicates a financial landscape still marked by post-pandemic inflation pressures and interest rate challenges.

Comparative Analysis With Previous Years
When compared to filings in previous years, 2025 exhibits a definite rise in bankruptcy activity. The average weekly national total before this week was 8,982, significantly lower than the current week’s 10,495. Chapter 7 filings this week (6,154) outpace the earlier average of 5,432, and Chapter 13 filings (4,143) surpass the average of 3,418. The peak weekly filings from earlier years capped at 14,989, showing that while Week 41 isn’t the highest, it marks an active phase. This comparison confirms a post-COVID financial correction with increased insolvency rates.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
To contextualize the data, analyzing filings per capita reveals critical insights. States like California (e.g., CAC with 228 filings) and Texas (e.g., TXN with 179) have large populations and correspondingly high filing numbers. Conversely, smaller states like Vermont (VT) and Wyoming (WY) show filings in the single digits, aligning with their smaller populations. Adjusted for population, districts like TNW and ALN tend to show disproportionately high filings, especially under Chapter 13. This points to localized economic challenges and possible disparities in financial literacy or access to legal alternatives.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
The filings per capita have notably shifted upward over the course of 2025. Using the weekly national total of 10,495 and assuming stable population trends, the per capita rate has increased significantly from the average baseline rate calculated earlier in the year. Districts such as GA and FL have seen growing weekly contributions, especially under Chapter 13, implying regional acceleration. A contributing factor may be the waning of pandemic-era financial aid and increased consumer debt burdens. These changes reflect macroeconomic strain impacting broader demographics than in previous cycles.

Forecast for the Rest of the Year
Based on current trends, bankruptcy filings are expected to continue increasing through the remainder of 2025. If weekly totals remain around or above 10,000, the U.S. could surpass 500,000 filings for the year. If the current week's total (10,495) becomes the norm, the last 11 weeks of the year alone could contribute over 115,000 additional filings. The most growth is expected in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 categories, driven by consumer debt and foreclosure pressures. Thus, policy watchers and financial planners should anticipate intensified caseloads in Q4 2025.

Forecast for Trends After 2024
Post-2024 trends suggest a structural increase in bankruptcy filings that may continue into 2026 and beyond. As inflation cools but high interest rates persist, household budgets remain under pressure, contributing to insolvency. Chapter 13 filings—currently at 4,143 this week—may see long-term elevation as people attempt to restructure consumer and mortgage debts. Additionally, the recent rise in Chapter 11 filings (192 this week) could point to a wave of business restructuring in 2026. The convergence of economic stressors and judicial processing capacity may define the financial narrative of the coming years.

1. Overview of this week's National filings. Week 41 of 2025 recorded a total of 10,495 bankruptcy filings across the nation, representing a significant volume of financial distress cases. Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcies dominated with 6,154 filings, comprising 58.6% of all cases filed during this week. Chapter 13 reorganization cases totaled 4,143 filings, accounting for 39.5% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations reached 192 filings, while Chapter 12 agricultural bankruptcies remained minimal at just 6 cases. This distribution reflects the traditional pattern where individual consumer bankruptcies vastly outnumber business and agricultural filings.

2. An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 41's filing total of 10,495 falls below the year's peak of 14,989 filings recorded in week 35, which represents the highest single-week volume in 2025. The Chapter 11 business bankruptcy count of 192 for week 41 exceeds the 2025 weekly average of 166 cases but remains well below the peak of 472 business filings observed in week 28. Interestingly, week 1 of 2025 recorded the lowest filing volume at just 7,529 cases, demonstrating significant week-to-week volatility throughout the year. The range between the highest and lowest weeks spans over 7,460 filings, illustrating substantial fluctuations in bankruptcy activity. This variability suggests that seasonal factors and economic conditions create meaningful short-term variations in filing patterns.

3. An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Northern District of Georgia led all jurisdictions with 520 filings in week 41, combining 226 Chapter 7 cases, 273 Chapter 13 cases, and 21 Chapter 11 cases. The Middle District of Florida followed closely with 486 total filings, including 354 Chapter 7 liquidations and 120 Chapter 13 reorganizations. California's Central District recorded 461 filings with a heavy Chapter 7 concentration of 391 cases, while Illinois Northern District reached 421 total filings split between 228 Chapter 7 and 192 Chapter 13 cases. Michigan's Eastern District rounded out the top five with 335 filings, and New Jersey recorded 286 cases including a notable 41 Chapter 11 business bankruptcies—one of the highest business filing counts among all districts.

4. Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The geographic distribution of bankruptcy filings reveals stark disparities across jurisdictions, with the Northern District of Georgia's 520 filings representing 130 times the volume of the Northern District of West Virginia's mere 4 filings. Alaska recorded only 6 cases during week 41, while North Dakota filed just 7 bankruptcies, demonstrating how sparsely populated states contribute minimally to national totals. The top ten districts collectively account for 3,525 filings, representing 33.6% of the national total despite being only a fraction of the 94 federal judicial districts. Districts with fewer than 15 filings include Hawaii (15), New Hampshire (14), Maine (13), West Virginia Southern (13), South Dakota (12), Wyoming (11), and the District of Columbia (10), highlighting significant regional variation. These disparities reflect differences in population density, economic conditions, state-level debt and consumer protection laws, and regional cultural attitudes toward bankruptcy.

5. Current year focus. Through 41 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 443,796 total bankruptcy filings, averaging 10,824 filings per week—a substantial increase over historical norms. The first quarter of 2025 (weeks 1-13) saw 132,048 filings with a weekly average of 10,158, while the second quarter (weeks 14-26) increased to 144,202 filings averaging 11,092 per week. The third quarter (weeks 27-39) maintained momentum with 143,549 filings and an 11,042 weekly average, demonstrating consistent elevated filing activity throughout the year. The most recent eight weeks (weeks 34-41) averaged 11,421 filings per week, suggesting an acceleration in bankruptcy activity as the year progresses. This sustained high volume indicates that economic pressures on both consumers and businesses remain intense throughout 2025.

6. Comparative analysis with previous years. Week 41 of 2025's total of 10,495 filings represents a 14.4% increase over the same week in 2024, which recorded 9,177 filings. Looking further back, week 41 of 2023 saw 8,561 filings, while week 41 of 2022 recorded just 7,060 cases—meaning 2025's week 41 shows a 48.6% increase compared to three years earlier. On an annual basis, 2024 concluded with 503,736 total filings compared to 445,162 in 2023 and 378,314 in 2022, demonstrating consistent year-over-year growth. The progression from 9,687 average weekly filings in 2024 to the current 10,824 average in 2025 represents an 11.7% increase in the weekly filing rate. This multi-year upward trajectory suggests persistent and potentially worsening financial stress among American households and businesses.

7. Analyzing the filings per capita. Week 41 of 2025 generated 3.13 bankruptcy filings per 100,000 Americans, based on the estimated U.S. population of 335 million people. The projected annual rate for 2025 stands at approximately 170.0 filings per 100,000 population, assuming the filing pace continues through the remainder of the year. This represents a significant increase from 2024's rate of 150.4 per 100,000, which itself exceeded 2023's rate of 132.9 per capita. Examining the four-year period, 2022's per capita rate of 112.9 filings per 100,000 appears modest by comparison to the current trajectory. These per capita figures contextualize the raw filing numbers against population size, confirming that the increase in bankruptcies reflects genuine growth in financial distress rather than merely population expansion.

8. Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has increased by 19.6 filings per 100,000 people from 2024's rate of 150.4 to the projected 2025 rate of 170.0, representing a 13.0% year-over-year increase. Comparing the projected 2025 rate to 2022's baseline of 112.9 per 100,000 reveals a dramatic 50.6% increase over just three years. The annual per capita growth has accelerated from 20.0 additional filings per 100,000 between 2022 and 2023, to 17.5 between 2023 and 2024, and now 19.6 between 2024 and 2025. This accelerating per capita rate indicates that bankruptcy filings are outpacing population growth and suggest deepening financial challenges across the American population. The consistency of these increases across multiple years points to structural economic factors rather than temporary disruptions.

9. Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the average of 11,421 filings per week observed during the most recent eight weeks (weeks 34-41), the remaining 11 weeks of 2025 are projected to generate approximately 125,634 additional filings. Adding this to the 443,796 filings already recorded through week 41 yields a projected full-year 2025 total of 569,430 bankruptcy cases. This projection represents a 13.0% increase over 2024's actual total of 503,736 filings, continuing the strong growth trajectory established over recent years. If filing volumes accelerate further in the final weeks—as sometimes occurs due to year-end financial pressures—the actual 2025 total could exceed 580,000 cases. Conversely, if the traditional holiday season slowdown materializes, final totals might settle closer to 560,000 filings.

10. Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The historical growth rates of 17.7% from 2022 to 2023, 13.2% from 2023 to 2024, and the projected 13.0% from 2024 to 2025 yield an average annual growth rate of 14.6%, which serves as the basis for long-term projections. Applying this growth rate, bankruptcy filings are projected to reach approximately 652,756 cases in 2026, representing another substantial increase of over 83,000 filings. Continuing this trajectory, 2027 could see roughly 748,276 total bankruptcy filings, pushing toward the threshold of three-quarters of a million annual cases. If this 14.6% average growth rate persists, the nation could approach 860,000 annual filings by 2028, though such exponential growth would likely trigger policy interventions or economic corrections. These projections suggest that without significant changes in economic conditions, interest rates, consumer debt levels, or bankruptcy law, Americans will continue facing mounting financial pressures requiring legal debt relief in increasing numbers.

For the latest fully completed week (week 41 of 2025), total nationwide filings were 10,495. By chapter, the totals were 6,154 for Chapter 7, 192 for Chapter 11, 6 for Chapter 12, and 4,143 for Chapter 13. This week’s 10,495 compares to 13,502 the prior week. The week-over-week change is therefore −3,007 filings. These figures are all drawn directly from the same weekly row.

An interesting detail is how concentrated the week’s filings are in Chapters 7 and 13, which together account for 10,297 of the 10,495 filings. That is 6,154 for Chapter 7 and 4,143 for Chapter 13. Compared with the average of the last four weeks (11,741), this week’s 10,495 is lower by 1,246. Versus the same week last year (9,177), this week is higher by 1,318. The same-week progression over recent years is 8,561 (2023), 9,177 (2024), and 10,495 (2025).

Looking across districts this week, the five highest totals were 520 (GAN), 486 (FLM), 461 (CAC), 421 (ILN), and 335 (MIE). Together those five accounted for 2,223 filings out of the national 10,495. Week-over-week, those same districts moved by +43 (GAN 520 vs 477), −143 (FLM 486 vs 629), −199 (CAC 461 vs 660), −10 (ILN 421 vs 431), and −88 (MIE 335 vs 423). Each of those changes is measured relative to the prior week’s national total of 13,502. These district figures come from summing the chapter columns for that same weekly row.

At the other end of the spectrum this week were districts recording 0 to 4 filings. Specifically, NMI had 0, GU had 1, VI had 1, VT had 1, and WVN had 4. The spread between the top district at 520 (GAN) and the bottom at 0 (NMI) is 520 filings for this week. Using the national 10,495 as context, GAN alone represents about 4.95% of the week. Meanwhile, districts like GU and VI each represent roughly 0.01% of the same 10,495 total.

Focusing on the current year through week 41, total filings sum to 443,796 across 41 weeks. The year-to-date average is 10,824.29 filings per week. This latest week’s 10,495 is slightly below that 10,824.29 average by 329.29. For comparison, last week’s 13,502 was 2,677.71 above the year-to-date average. The current week’s chapter contributions—6,154 (Chapter 7), 192 (Chapter 11), 6 (Chapter 12), and 4,143 (Chapter 13)—anchor the YTD picture.

Comparing equivalent weeks across years shows a steady rise at this point on the calendar. The same numbered week totaled 8,561 in 2023, 9,177 in 2024, and 10,495 in 2025. The week-over-week figure moved from 13,502 to 10,495, but the year-over-year change for this specific week is +1,318. Year-to-date averages also increased from 9,732.15 (2024 through week 41) to 10,824.29 (2025 through week 41). That is a 1,092.14 difference in the weekly average pace based on the same 41 weeks.

True per-person rates require population inputs, which are not present in this weekly file. As a practical proxy, we examine each district’s share of the 10,495 nationwide filings for this week. On that basis, GAN’s 520 is about 4.95% of 10,495, FLM’s 486 is about 4.63%, and CAC’s 461 is about 4.39%. ILN’s 421 is about 4.01% of the same 10,495, and MIE’s 335 is about 3.19%. Nationally, Chapters 7 and 13 together make up 10,297 of 10,495, or roughly 98.11% by count this week.

Watching how those shares change week to week gives a “per-person-like” directional signal using only this file. GAN’s share moved from about 3.53% of last week’s 13,502 to 4.95% of this week’s 10,495. FLM moved from about 4.66% of 13,502 to 4.63% of 10,495, and CAC moved from about 4.89% to about 4.39% over the same totals. Over the last four weeks, GAN’s average share was about 3.88% while its latest is 4.95% of 10,495. Similarly, ILN’s latest share is about 4.01% versus a roughly 3.62% four-week average, both computed against weekly national totals like 11,188, 11,779, 13,502, and 10,495.

A simple projection uses the recent weekly pace to fill the year’s remaining weeks. The eight most recent weeks averaged 11,421.25 filings per week. With 11 weeks remaining after week 41, that projects about 125,633.75 additional filings. Adding that to the year-to-date 443,796 gives a rough full-year total near 569,429.75. This forecast is anchored in observed weekly values such as 11,188, 11,779, 13,502, and 10,495.

Looking at momentum since the start of 2024 through this latest week, the fitted weekly slope is about +24.08 filings per week. Across 93 observed weeks in that span, the national weekly total moved from about 5,410 at the start of the window to 10,495 now. Extrapolating a year at +24.08 suggests roughly 1,252 more filings per week by this time next year. That would imply a typical weekly level near 11,747 if the 10,495 baseline held. These directional estimates complement the earlier eight-week average of 11,421.25 and the remaining 11-week projection of 125,633.75.

2025 Week 41 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated October 6th, 2025)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 Week 40 Bankruptcy Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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