Total bankruptcies in 2025 increased 11% year-over-year, according to data provided by Epiq AACER on Monday.

But the number of filings still is more than 200,000 less than what went through the bankruptcy court system before the pandemic.

Epiq AACER reported there were 565,759 total bankruptcy filings last year. That’s 11% more than the 508,953 cases registered during 2024.

While experts acknowledged the jump represented a “substantial” year-over-year increase, Epiq AACER pointed out total bankruptcy filings remain lower than the pre-pandemic total of 757,816 recorded in 2019.

Looking at just consumer filings for the year, analysts watched them rise 12% in 2025 to 533,949 from the 478,752 consumer filings in 2024.

Breaking down that consumer number, Epiq AACER reported there were 332,706 Chapter 7 filings, up from 2024’s total of 288,908. Analysts added the 200,055 consumer Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings in 2025 represented a 6% increase over 2024.

“Year over year, we observed double‑digit growth in bankruptcy filings, and December’s results highlight a sharp acceleration as volumes continue to normalize toward pre‑pandemic levels and a return to more typical economic pressures,” Epiq AACER vice president Michael Hunter said in a news release. “December’s 21% rise in consumer filings, driven by a 24% increase in Chapter 7 and 17% in Chapter 13, signals the momentum we expect to continue into 2026 as consumers and businesses in distress seek bankruptcy for protection.”

As Hunter mentioned, Epiq AACER reported total bankruptcy filings in December came in at 45,935, which were 20% more than the December 2024 total of 38,163.

Turning back to the annual bankruptcy data, analysts determined that commercial bankruptcy filings increased 5% year-over-year to 31,810 from the 30,201 cases registered in 2024.

Amy Quackenboss is executive director of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI).

“The increase in bankruptcies reflects the convergence of economic stressors that continue to weigh on consumers and businesses,” Quackenboss said in the news release. “Elevated borrowing costs, persistent inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty have more families and businesses seeking a financial fresh start through bankruptcy.”

ABI has partnered with Epiq AACER to provide the most current bankruptcy filing data for analysts, researchers, and members of the news media.