The number of companies going bust in the Netherlands in January was down almost 20% on a year ago, according to bankruptcy registration website faillissementsdossier.nl.

In January, 964 companies and institutions went bankrupt, compared with 1,162 in the year earlier period, the website said.

There were a record number of bankruptcies last year but the month on month figures have been declining since July. The transport sector recorded the highest improvement and there was also improvement in construction.