Creditinfo Lithuania Analysis: In 2024, An Average of Three Companies Filed For Bankruptcy Daily
According to Creditinfo Lithuania’s analysis, 1,079 company bankruptcies were registered in Lithuania in 2024—a 16.1% increase compared to 929 cases in 2023. However, this figure is slightly lower than in 2022 when 1,087 bankruptcies were recorded (a 0.7% decrease).
Key Sectors Affected: Construction, Trade, Transport, and Manufacturing
Construction Sector Challenges
The construction sector faced the highest number of bankruptcies in 2024, with 243 cases, marking a 16.8% increase from 208 cases in 2023. However, this was a slight 2.5% decrease compared to 2022 (237 bankruptcies). Currently, 11,299 companies operate in the construction sector in Lithuania.
Dovilė Krikščiukaitė, Head of Legal at Creditinfo Lithuania, noted that the sector struggled with insufficient demand, particularly in real estate. However, engineering construction projects increased by 10.3%, and many companies remain optimistic, planning to hire more employees and anticipating growth.
Despite these challenges, economic analyst Aleksandras Izgorodinas from Citadele Bank projects fewer bankruptcies in 2025 due to declining interest rates in the eurozone. Improved real estate transactions and mortgage volumes are already evident, which could stabilize the construction sector further.
“However, I believe that in 2025, the number of bankruptcies in the construction sector will decline. With falling base interest rates in the eurozone, we are already observing a recovery in real estate transactions and mortgage volumes. Buyers are returning to the real estate market, and the cost of borrowing continues to decrease. This will lead to fewer bankruptcies in the construction sector in 2025. It is projected that the ECB will lower interest rates at least three more times this year, further supporting recovery in Lithuania’s construction and real estate sectors and reducing bankruptcy numbers,” said A. Izgorodinas.
Wholesale and Retail Trade
The wholesale and retail trade sector had the second-highest number of bankruptcies, with 237 cases, a 3.9% increase from 2023 (228 bankruptcies). However, this figure was lower than in 2022 (251 cases). With 23,601 companies, this sector remains the largest in Lithuania.
“Companies in this sector faced fluctuating demand, but recovering domestic consumption and increasing real wages resulted in higher revenues compared to the previous year,” explained D. Krikščiukaitė.
Transport Sector Under Pressure
The transport and logistics sector, comprising 8,684 companies, saw 134 bankruptcies—a dramatic 74% increase from 77 in 2023 and a 35.4% rise compared to 99 cases in 2022.
“Unlike the construction sector, where we see the first signs of recovery, the transport sector is yet to show improvement. For instance, Germany’s truck mileage index, which strongly correlates with Lithuania’s transport services export indicators, fell to its lowest level since the end of 2020 by the end of 2025, being 2% lower than at the end of 2024. This indicates that the transport sector will likely remain under pressure in the near future. The sector is highly sensitive to fuel price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, which often create difficulties for smaller companies,” commented Citadele Bank’s economist.
Manufacturing Sector Struggles
The manufacturing sector, with 8,440 companies, recorded 121 bankruptcies in 2024—a 31.5% increase from 92 in 2023 and a nearly 25% rise compared to 97 in 2022.
According to Creditinfo Lithuania’s head of legal, reduced demand in European export markets, rising raw material costs, and higher energy expenses led to financial difficulties for many manufacturing companies.
Positive Developments in the Accommodation, Food Services, and Real Estate Sectors
Despite the rise in bankruptcies in the sectors, certain industries exhibited positive trends. In 2024, the number of bankruptcies in the accommodation and food services sector dropped by 20% to 66 cases compared to 82 cases in 2023. Moreover, this figure represents a 52% reduction compared to 2022, which saw 137 bankruptcies. Currently, 3,837 companies operate in this sector in Lithuania.
Similarly, the real estate (RE) operations sector, encompassing 6,621 companies, also demonstrated improvement. Bankruptcies in this sector decreased by 22.7% in 2024, from 44 cases in 2023 to 34 cases. In 2022, 33 insolvency cases were recorded in this sector.
Analysis of insolvent companies revealed that the total turnover of bankrupt companies in 2023 was €194.28 million, with the average annual turnover per company standing at €848,000. Notably, the workforce within these companies experienced a significant decline. At the beginning of 2023, these firms employed 7,292 workers; by October, this number had fallen to 5,551 employees.
“Monitoring the key operational metrics of business partners can help identify early warning signs. A decrease in workforce, reduction in the transport fleet, changes in management or shareholders, relocation of headquarters, or declining turnover are indicators that warrant close attention to ensure reliable partnerships and the fulfillment of financial commitments,” stated Dovilė Krikščiukaitė, Head of the Legal Department at Creditinfo Lietuva.
The head of Creditinfo Lietuva’s Legal Department also observed a trend toward younger companies becoming insolvent. In 2024, the average age of bankrupt companies was 10.58 years, compared to 11.68 years in 2023 and 12.31 years in 2022.
“This shift indicates that an increasing number of young companies are struggling to overcome market challenges and adapt to changing economic conditions. Young businesses often face financial management deficiencies, high costs, and intense competition, which exacerbate their difficulties,” added the Creditinfo Lietuva representative.