In 2012, a total of 6,688 bankruptcies and insolvencies were recorded in Portugal, representing a 41% increase on the previous year.
The building sector suffered 28% of the total, which was 43% more than in 2011.
Districts with the highest percentage of insolvency cases were areas around Porto (24%) Lisbon (21%) and Braga (12%).
The three principal commercial activities classified in an official report by COSEC were the construction industry (20%), services (13%) and retail (14%).
