Current Business Failure Rates at Artificially Low Levels
Nearly half of all 43 economies monitored by Dun & Bradstreet and its Worldwide Network saw a decrease in business failures during 2021. In some countries, business failures reached their lowest level in a decade. Much like 2020, when business disruption rose to unprecedented levels, Covid-19 dominated the narrative in 2021. Sporadic increases in cases across many countries prompted mandatory shutdowns and continued to wreak havoc on businesses. Data from the Dun & Bradstreet Commerce Disruption Tracker shows that the percentage of businesses disrupted globally increased by 4 percentage points in the first half of 2021 compared to the second half of 2020. As a result, the precipitous fall in business failures may appear counterintuitive. But there are several factors that have helped thousands of businesses keep their heads above water.
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest factors that helped many firms stay afloat was the massive support packages provided by governments across the world. While many of the measures were announced in 2020, they were also extended beyond this period. Cumulative fiscal measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic account for 18% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to data from the IMF.
Much of this stems from advanced economies, which on average have provided fiscal support to the tune of 28.4% of their GDP. By comparison, stimulus packages provided by these economies in response to the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 were worth just 2.6% of their GDP.
This Global Bankruptcy Report this year covers bankruptcy data from 43 markets. The following Worldwide Network members contributed with their local bankruptcy data to allow the creation of this report: Altares, CIAL Dun & Bradstreet, CRIF, D&B Hong Kong, D&B India, D&B Indonesia, D&B SAME, D&B Singapore, D&B Taiwan, Dun & Bradstreet US/Canada, Dun & Bradstreet UK, Dun & Bradstreet Europe, D&B China Illion, Informa, Interfax, NICE D&B, and TSR.
The data compiled has been analysed and edited by Dun & Bradstreet’s Country Insight team of experienced economists.
To read the complete Global Bankruptcy Report, download the report below.