In Östergötland, the number of bankruptcies has decreased by 10 percent and on Gotland by 18 percent from January to July this year, compared with the same period in 2019. On the contrary, seen throughout Sweden, the number of corporate bankruptcies has increased by 11 percent.

Uncertain autumn

UC states that it is, however, very uncertain how the bankruptcy situation will be this autumn. One reason is the authorities' call for continued work from home.

- The economic effects of the pandemic are hardly visible at all in the bankruptcy statistics in July, even though many small businesses continue to have a tough time. It seems that companies have generally managed to cut costs and adapt to the new business climate. The initial phase of the pandemic led to a sharp increase in bankruptcies, especially in some industries. Bankruptcies have now increased by 11 percent so far this year, which is gratifyingly significantly lower than what was feared in March, says Richard Damberg, economist at UC, in a press release.

Tough for restaurants and hotels

The hotel and restaurant industry is the one that has perhaps had the biggest blow so far - here one company goes bankrupt every day. No major boost has yet been seen in that industry, despite the fact that many Swedes stayed in the country during the holidays.

On the other hand, UC believes that those industries have been given a respite thanks to "home migration".