Personal bankruptcy filings are soaring in 2026, signaling growing economic distress

State laws vary, so where you live may determine whether you’ll get to keep your home.

By: Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 19, 2026

Words: 1,447

Last Updated: 2 months ago

By Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University

The number of Americans who file for bankruptcy is growing. More than 500,000 people took this step in 2025, nearly 50% more than in 2022. And the numbers have kept on climbing, with a 12% jump in June 2026 from a year earlier as many consumers struggled to pay their bills.

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.