Consumer Guide » By the Numbers
Bankruptcy by the Numbers
These numbers come from federal court records, not surveys or estimates. Every case filed in a U.S. bankruptcy court is recorded in the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database. Our dataset covers 4.9 million cases across 94 judicial districts from fiscal years 2008 through 2024.
How Many People File Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy filings fluctuate with economic conditions. Filings peaked at over 1.5 million in 2010 following the financial crisis. They dropped below 500,000 during the pandemic years when stimulus payments and eviction moratoriums reduced immediate financial pressure. As those protections expired, filings began climbing again.
Which Chapter Do People File?
The split between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 varies significantly by region. In some Southern districts, Chapter 13 filings exceed Chapter 7. This geographic variation is driven by state exemption laws, local legal culture, attorney practices, and judicial preferences. For a state-by-state comparison, see success rates by state.
Discharge and Completion Rates
Chapter 7
The vast majority of Chapter 7 cases result in discharge. Cases that do not are typically dismissed for procedural reasons -- failure to complete required credit counseling, failure to file tax returns, or failure to attend the 341 meeting.
Chapter 13
Federal court data shows that the majority of people who file Chapter 13 do not complete their plans. The cases are dismissed -- meaning the debtor does not receive a discharge and returns to the same financial position as before filing, minus whatever they paid in attorney fees and plan payments.
This is one of the most important statistics in consumer bankruptcy. A 33-40% completion rate means roughly 2 out of every 3 Chapter 13 filers will not get the relief they were seeking.
The Dismissal Rate Problem
Chapter 13 dismissal rates vary dramatically by district. Federal court data shows:
Why do some districts dismiss cases at twice the rate of others? The reasons are complex and include differences in local legal culture, judicial practices, trustee behavior, the prevalence of high-volume law firms, and debtor demographics. But the data is clear: where you file -- and who represents you -- measurably affects your chances of success.
To see your district's numbers, visit dismissalrate.org.
Repeat Filers
Federal court data shows that approximately 8-12% of bankruptcy filers have filed a previous case. Many of these are people whose Chapter 13 cases were dismissed and who are trying again. Repeat filing is not illegal, but there are statutory waiting periods between discharges (the "discharge bars" under Sections 727(a)(8), 727(a)(9), and 1328(f)).
Our research has identified that the system does not consistently verify whether repeat filers are eligible for a new discharge. In a screening of 4.9 million cases, we found 391,951 prior filers who received Chapter 13 discharges with zero eligibility verification. This gap is the subject of Rules Suggestion 26-BK-3, currently before the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules.
Use the eligibility checker to see whether you qualify to file again. For a detailed explanation of discharge bars, see dischargebar.org.
Attorney Impact on Outcomes
One of the most significant findings from large-scale bankruptcy data is that attorney choice measurably affects case outcomes. In the same district, handling similar clients, under the same judges:
- Some firms produce dismissal rates at or below the district average
- Other firms produce dismissal rates 20-40 percentage points above the district average
- The pattern holds even when controlling for debtor demographics and case characteristics
This is not a matter of a few bad cases. When a firm handles hundreds or thousands of cases and consistently produces worse outcomes than other firms in the same courthouse, the data suggests a systemic problem with how those cases are handled.
For more on how to evaluate attorneys, see Finding a Good Bankruptcy Attorney.
What These Numbers Mean for You
If you are considering Chapter 7
The data is encouraging. Federal court data shows discharge rates above 95%, and the process typically takes 3-4 months. The key is meeting the eligibility requirements (means test, required courses) and filing accurate paperwork.
If you are considering Chapter 13
The data should make you cautious. With completion rates of approximately 33-40% nationally, the odds are that you will not finish the plan. This does not mean you should not file -- Chapter 13 is the right choice for many people, especially those trying to save a home from foreclosure or manage debts that are not dischargeable in Chapter 7. But you should go in with realistic expectations, choose your attorney carefully, and understand that the next 3-5 years will require sustained commitment.
Where to Learn More
- dismissalrate.org -- Dismissal rates by district
- 1328f.com -- Screening tool and discharge eligibility checker
- Chapter 13 failure rates -- Detailed national analysis
- Success rates by state -- State-by-state comparison
- dischargebar.org -- Discharge bar rules explained
Last updated: March 2026. Data source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database, FY 2008-2024 (4.9 million cases, 94 districts). All figures are approximate national averages.