Individual Insolvencies by Location, Age and Gender, England and Wales, 2023
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-25)

Official statistics for individual insolvencies in England and Wales from 2013 to 2023, broken down by region, local authority areas, parliamentary constituencies; age; gender; and electoral ward. The number of breathing spaces obtained under the Debt Respite Scheme, broken down by location, age, and money advisor organisation are also included.

This publication contains five sets of data tables, which are linked to on this page:
- Individual insolvencies by Location, England and Wales, 2013 to 2023 contains a time series with breakdowns of insolvency numbers and rates by country, region, county and local authority
- Individual insolvencies by Age and Gender, England and Wales, 2013 to 2023 contains a time series with breakdowns of insolvency numbers and rates by age and gender
- Individual insolvencies by Location, Age and Gender, England and Wales, 2023 contains breakdowns of insolvency numbers and rates by location, age and gender for 2023
- Individual insolvencies by Parliamentary Constituency, England and Wales, 2013 to 2023 contains a time series with breakdowns of insolvency numbers and rates by country, region and parliamentary constituency
- Individual Insolvency Statistics by Ward, England and Wales, 2013 to 2023 contains a time series with breakdowns of insolvency numbers by ward
Main Messages for England and Wales

National and regional summary

In 2023, the rate of individual insolvency in England and Wales was 21.7 per 10,000 adults, meaning that one in every 461 adults entered an insolvency procedure during that year. The individual insolvency rate was the lowest since 2017.

At regional level, the North East of England had the highest individual insolvency rate (28.7 per 10,000 adults), while individuals in London had the lowest (13.9 per 10,000). The North East has been the region with the highest rate of insolvency every year since 2008, while London has been the region with the lowest rate each year since the series began in 2000. The other seven English regions, as well as Wales, all had rates between 19.6 and 25.0 per 10,000. All regions saw lower insolvency rates compared to the five-year average.

Local authority and parliamentary constituency areas

Rates varied by local authority from 9.1 per 10,000 (1 in 1,093 adults) in Richmond upon Thames to 46.8 per 10,000 (1 in 214 adults) in Halton.

The local authorities with the highest rates of individual insolvency were mainly in the North West and North East of England, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber, ranging from Halton, to Kingston upon Hull, to Blackpool. Three of the five local authorities with the lowest insolvency rates were London boroughs. Outside London, the local authorities with the lowest rates were Cambridge, Epsom and Ewell, and Elmbridge.

The geographical distribution of insolvency rates in 2023 was similar to previous years. For the majority of local authorities, the rate in 2023 was between 1.5 and 4.6 per 10,000 adults lower than the five-year average.

Rates varied by parliamentary constituency from 6.2 per 10,000 (1 in 1,615 adults) in Sheffield, Hallam to 51.5 per 10,000 (1 in 194 adults) in Halifax.

Nine of the 10 parliamentary constituencies with the highest insolvency rates were in the north of England. Eight out of the 10 parliamentary constituencies with the lowest insolvency rates were in London.

Age and gender

The female insolvency rate (23.3 per 10,000) was higher than the male rate (19.6 per 10,000) for the tenth successive year. Women had a higher rate of insolvency than men in all age groups except for those aged 65 and over.

Women were more likely than men to have a debt relief order or individual voluntary arrangement, while men were more likely than women to become bankrupt. Historically, men were more likely to enter bankruptcy than have a debt relief order, however the reverse has been true since 2021.

Insolvency rates were highest for adults between 25 and 44 and lowest for adults aged 65 and over. This has been the case since 2006. The long-term trend shows an increase in insolvency rates for younger adults (18 to 34 year-olds) and a decrease for older adults (55 years and older).

Individual voluntary arrangements were the most common type of insolvency in all age groups, except for over 65s where DROs were most common. The proportion of insolvencies that were individual voluntary arrangements was higher among younger adults, whereas the proportion that were bankruptcies and DROs was higher in older adults.

Breathing space

In 2023, one in 541 adults (a rate of 18.5 per 10,000) in England and Wales entered a breathing space under the Debt Respite Scheme (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9256/).

The North East and North West were the regions with the highest breathing space registration rate in 2023, at 24.9 and 23.2 per 10,000 adults respectively, while London had the lowest, at 12.9 per 10,000. Halton was the local authority with the highest breathing space rate.

As with insolvency, breathing space rates were highest for 25 to 44 year-olds and lowest for those over 65.