Hong Kong’s bankruptcy filing increased in January by 8.76 percent from one year ago to 819 cases, as the continuously challenging business environment was also beset by high interest rates.

The figure is also 4.87 percent higher than the number of cases in December 2024, according to data from the Official Receiver’s Office.

However, the takeover or bankruptcy orders issued by courts amounted to just 684 cases, down by 22.71 percent month-on-month and 12.53 percent year-on-year.

The city saw a nine-year high in bankruptcy petitions last year, rising nearly 17 percent year-on-year to 9,190 cases.