CRIF: 612 People in Slovakia Went Bankrupt in July, Highest Figure This Year

Bratislava, 16 August (TASR) - A total of 612 Slovaks went bankrupt in July 2026, the highest figure seen so far this year and the highest since October 2025, according to the latest analysis published by CRIF – the Slovak Credit Bureau, which manages the credit registries of banking and non-banking houses. Of the total number of personal bankruptcies declared in July, 562 concerned the assets of private individuals and 50 those of entrepreneurs. As many as 603 debtors opted for bankruptcy, while the rest (nine) opted for instalment calendars. In July, 393 men (66 percent) went bankrupt, while the number of women was only 219. The number of women and men with university education filing for bankruptcy was five in both groups. According to the analysis, the highest number of bankruptcies was reported in the 30–39 age category - 182 individuals. Five people in their eighties (three women and two men) also went bankrupt, the highest number posted since July 2019. "The elderly are a particularly vulnerable group, especially nowadays, when they are quite literally bombarded from all sides by various scammers trying to trick them into handing over their money, as well as by misleading advertisements and high-pressure sales offers. They run into debt owing to their own actions; for example, by making ill-considered instalment purchases, or giving or lending money to others. Unfortunately, we've also seen cases in which their trust is abused by family members. In an effort to help their children, grandchildren and relatives, the elderly often agree to act as guarantors for a loan, only for their relatives to fail to repay it. As a result, the elderly find themselves caught in a debt spiral and may ultimately end up having to file for personal bankruptcy," warned CRIF chief analyst Jana Markova. A total of 82 homeless people went bankrupt, making up 13.6 percent of all bankruptcies declared. ko/df