Ukrainians are declaring themselves bankrupt en masse: the number of cases has increased by 37%, and the youngest debtor is only 20 years old

In Ukraine, the number of insolvency cases of individuals has been increasing for the fourth consecutive year. In 2026, 1,293 such proceedings were recorded – 37% more than in the same period last year. The largest number of cases falls on Ukrainians aged 25 to 45, and Kyiv became the leader in the number of cases.

The number of bankruptcies is increasing for the fourth consecutive year

According to published statistics, in 2026, the number of insolvency cases of individuals has already exceeded the indicator of the whole of 2024 by 40%.

At the same time, this year’s result almost equaled the indicator for the whole of 2025, when 1,348 people were included in bankruptcy cases.

In total, 5,014 Ukrainians have been declared insolvent since 2021.

After a decrease in the number of cases in the first year of the full-scale invasion, their number began to gradually increase. This trend has now been maintained for the fourth year in a row.

Women are more likely to appear in bankruptcy cases

In 2026, for the first time in the given period, women predominate among the participants in insolvency cases.

Out of 1,293 cases:

685 concern women — 53%;

608 concern men — 47%.

For comparison, in 2025 the situation was the opposite: men made up 51% of the participants in such proceedings.

The youngest — 20 years old, the oldest — 77

The largest number of insolvency cases falls on Ukrainians of working age.

By age category, the statistics look like this:

876 people — from 25 to 45 years old;

304 people — over 45 years old;

113 people — under 25 years old.

Thus, almost 68% of all cases concern people aged 25 to 45.

The youngest participant in insolvency proceedings in 2026 was only 20 years old, while the oldest was 77.

Kyiv became the leader in the number of bankruptcies

The largest number of insolvency proceedings of individuals was registered in the courts of the capital.

The leaders were:

Kyiv – 228 cases.

Kyiv region – 130 cases.

Lviv region – 109 cases.

Together, these three regions account for more than a third of all recorded cases.

The number of cases increased most rapidly in the Kirovohrad region – more than doubled, from 20 to 43 proceedings.

In the Kyiv region, the increase was 86%, and in the Ternopil region – 64%.

At the same time, the number of cases in some regions has decreased. In particular, in Vinnytsia region – from 77 to 63, in Odessa region – from 68 to 64, and in Mykolaiv region – from 16 to 11.

Can all debts be written off after bankruptcy

Individuals in Ukraine received the opportunity to officially initiate their own bankruptcy procedure in October 2019.

It is important that only the debtor himself can start such a procedure. Creditors do not have the right to initiate bankruptcy of an individual on his behalf.

However, the recognition of insolvency does not mean automatic release from all debt obligations.

Part of the debt will have to be repaid, in particular by selling property.

In addition, the legislation establishes certain restrictions:

Debts for alimony are not subject to writing off.

Within five years after bankruptcy, a person must report his insolvency before applying for loans or credits.
It is not possible to re-initiate bankruptcy proceedings during this period if all debts have not been repaid.