Editing Economy of Belgium

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Update|reason=Some statistics in the infobox are outdated|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox economy
| country              = Belgium
| image                = North Galaxy Towers-Schaerbeek-001.JPG
| image_size           = 310px
| caption              = Business district in the [[Schaerbeek]] neighborhood of [[Brussels]]
| currency             = [[Euro]] (EUR, €)
| year                 = Calendar year
| organs               = [[European Union|EU]], [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], [[World Trade Organization|WTO]]
| group                = {{plainlist|
* [[Developed country|Advanced economy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/groups-and-aggregates|title=World Economic Outlook Database Groups and Aggregates Information |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]|website=IMF.org}}</ref>
* [[World Bank high-income economy|High-income economy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups|title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups|publisher=[[World Bank]]|website=datahelpdesk.worldbank.org|access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref>}}
| population           = 11,549,888 (1 January 2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tps00001&plugin=1|title=Population on 1 January|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat|access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref>
| gdp                  = {{plainlist|
*{{increase}} $689.36 billion (nominal, 2025)<ref name="IMFWEOBE">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=124,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,PCPIPCH,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: April 2024|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]|website=imf.org}}</ref>
*{{increase}} $889.83 billion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]], 2025)<ref name="IMFWEOBE"/>}}
| gdp rank             = {{plainlist|
* [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|22nd (nominal, 2024)]]
* [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|37th (PPP, 2024)]]}}
| growth               = {{plainlist|
* 3.0%&nbsp;(2022) 
* 1.5%&nbsp;(2023)
* 1.2%&nbsp;(2024)<ref 
* 1.2%&nbsp;(2025)
name="IMFWEOBE"/>
}}
| per capita           = {{plainlist|
* {{increase}} $58,256 (nominal, 2025)<ref name="IMFWEOBE"/>
* {{increase}} $75,199 (PPP, 2025)<ref name="IMFWEOBE"/>}}
| per capita rank = {{plainlist|
* [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|15th (nominal, 2024)]]
* [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|19th (PPP, 2024)]]}}
| cpi = 73 out of 100 points (2023)<ref name="ti_2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023 |date=30 January 2024 |title=Corruption Perceptions Index |website=[[Transparency International]] |access-date=15 July 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130062042/https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> ([[Corruption Perceptions Index#Ranking over Time|17th]])
| sectors              = {{plainlist|
* [[Primary sector of the economy|agriculture]]: 0.7%
* [[Secondary sector of the economy|industry]]: 22.1%
* [[Tertiary sector of the economy|services]]: 77.2% 
* (2017 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belgium/|title=The World Factbook|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|website=CIA.gov|access-date=11 October 2022}}</ref>}}
| inflation            = {{plainlist|
* 2.3% (2023)
* 3.6% (2024)<ref name="IMFWEOBE"/>}}
| poverty              = 19.5% at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE, 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&pcode=t2020_50&language=en|title=People at risk of poverty or social exclusion|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|access-date=25 October 2020}}</ref>
| gini                 = 25.1 {{color|green|low}} (2019, [[Eurostat]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tessi190&plugin=1|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|access-date=25 October 2020}}</ref>
| hdi                  = {{plainlist|
* 0.942 {{color|darkgreen|very high}} (2022)<ref name="behdi">{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref> ([[List of countries by Human Development Index|12th]])
* 0.878 {{color|darkgreen|very high}} ([[List of countries by inequality-adjusted HDI|11th]]) (2022)<ref name="behdi"/>}}
| edbr                 = {{decrease}} [[Easiest place to do business|46th (very easy, 2020)]]<ref name="World Bank and International Financial Corporation">{{cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/belgium|title=Ease of Doing Business in Belgium|publisher=Doingbusiness.org|access-date=2017-11-21 }}</ref>
| labor                = {{plainlist|
* 5,105,726 (2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN?locations=BE&most_recent_value_desc=true|title=Labor force, total – Belgium|publisher=[[World Bank]]|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
* {{increasePositive}} 72.1% employment rate (2023)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Employment_-_annual_statistics |title=Employment rate by sex, age group 20-64 |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |access-date=20 July 2024}}</ref>}}
| occupations          = {{plainlist|
* [[Primary sector of the economy|agriculture]]: 1.3%
* [[Secondary sector of the economy|industry]]: 18.6%
* [[Tertiary sector of the economy|services]]: 80.1% 
* (2013 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>}}
| unemployment         = {{plainlist|
* 5.1% (August 2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=une_rt_m&lang=en|title=Unemployment by sex and age – monthly average|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|website=appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>
* 13.0% youth unemployment (15 to 24 year-olds; June 2020)<ref>{{cite web|title=Unemployment rate by age group|url=https://data.oecd.org/chart/6591|website=data.oecd.org|publisher=[[OECD]]|access-date=7 September 2020 }}</ref>}}
| average gross salary = [[List of European countries by average wage|€5,070 monthly]]<ref>[https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/04/taxing-wages-2025_20d1a01d/b3a95829-en.pdf#page176 Taxing Wages 2024: Tax and Gender through the Lens of the Second Earner | READ online.]</ref><ref>[https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/taxing-wages-2025_b3a95829-en.html Taxing Wages 2024: Tax and Gender through the Lens of the Second Earner | OECD iLibrary.]</ref> (2024)
| average net salary   = [[List of European countries by average wage|€3,056 monthly]]<ref>[https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/04/taxing-wages-2025_20d1a01d/b3a95829-en.pdf#page176 Taxing Wages 2024: Tax and Gender through the Lens of the Second Earner | READ online.]</ref><ref>[https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/taxing-wages-2025_b3a95829-en.html Taxing Wages 2024: Tax and Gender through the Lens of the Second Earner | OECD iLibrary.]</ref> (2024)
| industries           = engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed foods and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
| exports              = $547.5 billion (2021)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
| export-goods         = chemicals, machinery and equipment, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
| export-partners      = {{plainlist|
* {{flag|Germany}} 16.6%
* {{flag|France}} 14.9%
* {{flag|Netherlands}} 12%
* {{flag|United Kingdom}} 8.4%
* {{flag|Italy}} 4.9%
* {{flag|United States}} 4.8% 
* (2017)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>}}
| imports              = $395.7 billion (2020)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
| import-goods         = raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
| import-partners      = {{plainlist|
* {{flag|Netherlands}} 17.3%
* {{flag|Germany}} 13.8%
* {{flag|France}} 9.5%
* {{flag|United States}} 7.1%
* {{flag|China}} 5.2% 
* {{flag|United Kingdom}} 4.8%
* {{flag|Ireland}} 4.2%
* (2017)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>}}
| current account      = $1.84 billion (2019 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
| FDI                  = {{plainlist|
* $1.035 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
* Abroad: $1.159 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>}}
| gross external debt  = {{increaseNegative}} $1.281 trillion (31 March 2016 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
| debt                 = {{plainlist|
* 98.6% of GDP (2019)<ref name="1st Notif">{{cite web|title=Euro area and EU27 government deficit both at 0.6% of GDP|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10294648/2-22042020-AP-EN.pdf|website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat|publisher=Eurostat|access-date=28 April 2020}}</ref>
* €467.160 billion (2019)<ref name="1st Notif"/>}}
| revenue              = 50.3% of GDP (2019)<ref name="1st Notif"/>
| expenses             = 52.2% of GDP (2019)<ref name="1st Notif"/>
| balance              = {{plainlist|
* €9.0 billion deficit (2019)<ref name="1st Notif"/>
* −1.9% of GDP (2019)<ref name="1st Notif"/>}}
| aid = {{plainlist|
* €2.3 billion from [[European Structural and Investment Funds]] (2007–2013)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/informat/country2009/be_en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225203037/https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/informat/country2009/be_en.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| reserves             = $31.76 billion (April 2021 est.)<ref name="CIAWFBE"/>
| credit               = {{plainlist|
* [[Standard & Poor's]]:<ref>{{cite web|title= Sovereigns rating list|publisher=Standard & Poor's|url=http://www.standardandpoors.com/ratings/sovereigns/ratings-list/en/eu/?subSectorCode=39|access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>
* AA (Domestic)
* AA (Foreign)
* AAA (T&C Assessment)
* Scope:<ref name=Scope>{{cite web|url=https://www.scoperatings.com/ratings-and-research/rating/EN/178294|title=Scope affirms the Kingdom of Belgium's ratings at AA- with Negative Outlooks|website=Scope Ratings|access-date=25 January 2025}}</ref>
* AA−
* Outlook: Negative}}
}}

The '''economy of Belgium''' is a [[Developed country|highly developed]], [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income]], [[Mixed economy|mixed]] economy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belgium: Introduction|url=https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/belgium|access-date=2023-04-14|website=globaledge.msu.edu|language=en-us}}</ref> 

[[Belgium]]'s economy has capitalised on the [[Geography of Belgium|country's central geographic location]], and has a well-developed [[Transport in Belgium|transport network]], and diversified industrial and commercial base. Belgium was the first [[Europe|European]] country to join the [[Industrial Revolution]] in the early 19th century. It has since developed a highly-developed transportation infrastructure made up of ports (most notably the [[Port of Antwerp]]), canals, railways, and highways, in order to integrate its industry with that of its neighbours.<ref name="DoS" /> Among [[OECD]] nations, Belgium has a highly efficient and strong social security system; social expenditure stood at [[Welfare state#Effects|roughly 29% of GDP]].<ref name="Kenworthy">{{Cite journal |jstor = 3005973|title = Do Social-Welfare Policies Reduce Poverty? A Cross-National Assessment|journal = Social Forces|volume = 77|issue = 3|pages = 1119–1139|last1 = Kenworthy|first1 = Lane|year = 1999|doi = 10.2307/3005973|url = http://www.lisdatacenter.org/wps/liswps/188.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130810134045/http://www.lisdatacenter.org/wps/liswps/188.pdf|archive-date = 10 August 2013|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Bradley et al.">{{Cite journal |jstor = 3088901|title = Determinants of Relative Poverty in Advanced Capitalist Democracies|journal = American Sociological Review|volume = 68|issue = 1|pages = 22–51|last1 = Moller|first1 = Stephanie|last2 = Huber|first2 = Evelyne|last3 = Stephens|first3 = John D.|last4 = Bradley|first4 = David|last5 = Nielsen|first5 = François|year = 2003|doi = 10.2307/3088901}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.oecd.org/social/expenditure.htm | title=Social Expenditure – Aggregated data|work=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]]}}</ref> 

Belgium's industry is concentrated mainly in the populous region of [[Flanders]] in the north, around Brussels and in the two biggest [[Wallonia|Walloon]] cities, [[Liège]] and [[Charleroi]], along the ''[[Sillon industriel]]''. Belgium imports raw materials and semi-finished goods that are further processed and re-exported. Except for its [[coal]], which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has few natural resources other than [[Soil fertility|fertile soils]]. Despite the heavy industrial component, services dominate the country's economy and account for 77.2% of Belgium's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP), while agriculture accounts for 0.7%.<ref name="DoS" />

With exports equivalent to over two-thirds of the country's [[gross national income]] (GNI), Belgium depends heavily on world trade. Belgium's trade advantages are derived from its central geographic location and a highly skilled, multilingual, and productive work force. One of the founding members of the [[European Community]], Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the present-day [[European Union]] (EU) to integrate European economies further.<ref name=DoS/> About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. In 2021, Belgium's [[public debt]] was about 108% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).<ref>{{cite web|title=General government gross debt – annual data|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/teina225/default/table?lang=en|website=Eurostat|access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
=== In the twentieth century ===
[[Image:Evolution of Belgian GDP.png|left|thumb|Evolution of the Belgian GDP]]

For 50 years through [[World War II]], [[Francophone|French-speaking]] Wallonia was a technically advanced, industrial region, with its industry concentrated along the [[sillon industriel]], while [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]] Flanders was predominantly agricultural with some industry, mainly processing agricultural products and textiles. This disparity began to fade during the [[interwar period]]. When Belgium emerged from World War II with its industrial infrastructure relatively undamaged thanks to the [[Alexandre Galopin|Galopin doctrine]], the stage was set for a period of rapid development, particularly in Flanders. The postwar boom years, enhanced by the establishment of the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] headquarters in Brussels, contributed to the rapid expansion of light industry throughout most of Flanders, particularly along a corridor stretching between Brussels and [[Antwerp]], which is the second largest port in Europe after [[Rotterdam]].<ref name=DoS/>

Foreign investment contributed significantly to Belgian economic growth in the 1960s. In particular, U.S. firms played a leading role in the expansion of light industrial and petrochemical industries in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name=DoS/>

The older, traditional industries of Wallonia, particularly [[steel industry]], began to lose their competitive edge during this period, but the general growth of world prosperity masked this deterioration until the [[1973 oil crisis|1973]] and [[1979 energy crisis|1979]] [[price of oil|oil price]] shocks and resultant shifts in international demand sent the economy into a period of prolonged [[recession]]. In the 1980s and 1990s, the economic center of the country continued to shift northwards to Flanders with investments by [[multinational corporation|multinationals]] ([[automotive industry]], [[chemical industry]]) and growing local [[industrial agriculture]] (for textiles and food).

The early 1980s saw the country facing a difficult period of [[structural adjustment]] caused by declining demand for its traditional products, deteriorating economic performance, and neglected structural reform. Consequently, the 1980–82 recession shook Belgium to the core—unemployment mounted, [[social welfare]] costs increased, personal debt soared, the [[government deficit]] climbed to 13% of GDP, and the national debt, although mostly held domestically, mushroomed.

Against this grim backdrop, in 1982, Prime Minister [[Wilfried Martens|Martens']] center-right coalition government formulated an economic recovery program to promote [[export-oriented industrialization|export-led growth]] by enhancing the competitiveness of Belgium's export industries through an 8.5% devaluation. Economic growth rose from 2% in 1984 to a peak of 4% in 1989. In May 1990, the government linked the [[Belgian franc]] to the [[Deutsche Mark]], primarily through closely tracking German [[interest rates]]. Consequently, as German interest rates rose after 1990, Belgian rates have increased and contributed to a decline in the economic growth rate. In 1992–93, the Belgian economy suffered the worst recession since World War II, with the real GDP declining 0.96% in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgium GDP - Worldometer |url=https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/belgium-gdp/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=www.worldometers.info |language=en}}</ref>

On 1 May 1998, Belgium became a first-tier member of the [[European Monetary Union]].

=== In the twenty-first century ===
Belgium switched from the Belgian franc to the [[Euro]] as its currency after 1 January 2002. Belgian per capita GDP ranks among the world's highest. In 2008, the per capita income (PPP) was $37,500. The federal government has not managed to present balanced budgets in recent years and public debt remains high, at 99% of 2009 GDP.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} In 2009, during the [[Great Recession]], Belgium suffered negative growth and increased unemployment.<ref name=CIA>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belgium/ |title=Belgium |publisher=[[CIA World Factbook]]}}</ref> GDP growth in 2009 was −1.5%.<ref name=DoS/>

=== Trade unions ===
{{Main|List of trade unions in Belgium}}

With 65% of the workers belonging to a union, Belgium is a country with one of the highest percentages of trade union membership. Only the Scandinavian countries have a higher trade union density. The biggest union with around 1.7&nbsp;million members is the Christian democrat [[Confederation of Christian Trade Unions]] (ACV-CSC) which was founded in 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/957/Binnenland/article/detail/1166041/2010/10/05/Aantal-leden-christelijke-vakbond-neemt-jaar-na-jaar-toe.dhtml|title=Aantal leden christelijke vakbond neemt jaar na jaar toe|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> The origins of the union can be traced back to the "Anti-Socialist Cotton Workers Union" that was founded in 1886.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acv-online.be/acv-online/het-acv/Wie-zijn-we/Geschiedenis/Geschiedenis.html|title=130 jaar ACV-geschiedenis|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> The second biggest union is the socialist [[General Federation of Belgian Labour]] (ABVV-FGTB) which has a membership of more than 1.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vlaamsabvv.be/art/pid/13618/Hoeveel-leden-telt-het-ABVV.htm|title=Hoeveel leden telt het ABVV? – Vlaams ABVV – Socialistische vakbond in Vlaanderen – Algemeen Belgisch Vakverbond ABVV|website=vlaamsabvv.be|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=19 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219131851/http://www.vlaamsabvv.be/art/pid/13618/Hoeveel-leden-telt-het-ABVV.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ABVV-FGTB traces its origins to 1857, when the first Belgian union was founded in [[Ghent]] by a group of [[weaving|weavers]]. This and other socialist unions became unified around 1898. The ABVV-FGTB in its current form dates back to 1945. The third major multi-sector union in Belgium is the liberal (classical liberal) union [[General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium]] (ACLVB-CGSLB) which is relatively small in comparison to the first two with a little under 290 thousand members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclvb.be/over-aclvb/structuurkerncijfers/|title=Structuur en kerncijfers van de ACLVB|date=12 October 2015|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> The ACLVB-CGSLB was founded in 1920 in an effort to unite the many small liberal unions. Back then the liberal union was known as the "Nationale Centrale der Liberale Vakbonden van België". In 1930, the ACLVB-CGSLB adopted its current name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclvb.be/over-aclvb/historiek/|title=Geschiedenis van de ACLVB|date=12 October 2015|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

Besides these "big three" there are a number of smaller unions, some more influential than others. These smaller unions tend to specialize in one profession or economic sector. Next to these specialized unions there is also the [[:nl:Neutrale en Onafhankelijke Vakbond|Neutral and Independent Union]] that rejects the [[pillarization]] of the "big three" trade unions (their affiliation with political parties). There is also a small Flemish nationalist union that exists only in the [[Flemish language|Flemish]]-speaking part of Belgium, called the [[:nl:Vlaamse Solidaire Vakbond|Vlaamse Solidaire Vakbond]]. The last Belgian union worth mentioning is the very small, but highly active anarchist union called the [[:nl:Vrije Bond|Vrije Bond]].

== Trade ==
About 80% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, it seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EU countries. The Belgian authorities are, as a rule, anti-protectionist and try to maintain a hospitable and open trade and investment climate. The [[European Commission]] negotiates on trade issues for all member states, which, in turn lessens bilateral trade disputes with Belgium.<ref name=DoS/>

The Belgian Government encourages new foreign investment as a means to promote employment. With regional devolution, Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia are now courting potential foreign investors and offer a host of incentives and benefits.<ref name=DoS/> Foreign companies in Belgium account for approximately 11% of the total work force, with the U.S.

Attracted by the EU 1992 single-market program, many foreign firms and lawyers have settled in Brussels since 1989.<ref name="DoS">{{cite web|title=Belgium|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2874.htm|publisher=[[US Department of State]]|date=April 2010|access-date=9 May 2010}}</ref>

== Employment ==
The social security system, which expanded rapidly during the prosperous 1950s and 1960s, includes a medical system, [[unemployment insurance]] coverage, child allowances, invalid benefits, and other benefits and pensions. With the onset of a recession in the 1970s, this system became an increasing burden on the economy and accounted for much of the [[government budget deficit]]s. The national unemployment figures mask considerable differences between Flanders and Wallonia. Unemployment in Wallonia is mainly structural, while in Flanders it is cyclical. Flanders' unemployment levels are generally only about half those of Walloon. The southern region continues a difficult transition out of sunset industries (mainly coal and steel), while sunrise industries (chemicals, high-tech, and services) dominate in Flanders.<ref name=DoS/>

Belgium's unemployment rate was 6.5% in 2008. A total of 4.99 million people make up Belgium's labor force. The vast majority of these people (80%), work in the service sector. The Belgian Industry claims 19% of the labor force; and agriculture claims 1%. As in other industrialized nations, pension and other social entitlement programs have become a [[Population ageing|major economic and political concern]] as the [[baby boomers]] approach [[retirement age]].<ref name=DoS/>

== Budget ==
[[Image:Belgische staatsschuld.png|right|thumb|Evolution of the [[Government debt|Belgian public debt]] as % of Belgian GDP]]

Although Belgium is a wealthy country, public expenditures far exceeded income for many years, and taxes were not diligently pursued. The Belgian Government reacted to the 1973 and 1979 oil price hikes by hiring the redundant work force into the public sector and subsidizing industries like coal, steel, textiles, glass, and shipbuilding, which had lost their international competitive edge. As a result, cumulative government debt reached 121% of GDP by the end of the 1980s. However, thanks to Belgium's high personal savings rate, the Belgian Government financed the deficit from mainly domestic savings, minimizing the deleterious effects on the overall economy.<ref name=DoS/>

The federal government ran a 7.1% budget deficit in 1992 at the time of the EU's [[Treaty of Maastricht]], which established conditions for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) that led to adoption of the common [[Euro]] currency on 1 January 2002. Among other criteria spelled out under the Maastricht treaty, the Belgian Government had to attain a budget deficit of no greater than 3% of GDP by the end of 1997; Belgium achieved this, with a total budget deficit in 2001 (just prior to implementation of the Euro) that amounted to 0.2% of GDP. The government has balanced the budget every year since, until 2009 where it ran a deficit of about $25 billion. Belgium's accumulated public debt remains high at 99% of 2009 GDP.<ref name=DoS/> A slight decrease in the accumulated public debt compared to GDP has been seen, however, thanks to a higher economic growth rate compared to the budget growth rate, which pushed the percentage from 99% of GDP in 2009 to 95% of GDP in 2011, a four-point decrease in two years, a feat rare enough to mention in the Western World.

== Regional differences ==
The economy of Belgium is varied and cannot be understood without taking the regional differences into account. Indeed, the Flemish and Walloon economies differ in many respects (consider for instance Eurostat and OECD statistics), and cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, [[Bruges]], Charleroi, or Ghent also exhibit significant differences. In general, productivity in Flanders is roughly 20% higher (per inhabitant) than in Wallonia.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} Brussels' GDP per capita is much higher than either region, although this is misleading, as many of those that work in the [[Brussels-Capital Region]] live in Flanders or Wallonia. Their output is counted in Brussels and not where they live, artificially raising the ''per capita'' GDP of Brussels and slightly lowering that of Flanders and Wallonia.

Unemployment has remained consistently more than twice as high in Wallonia than in Flanders, and has been even higher in Brussels, during most of the last 20 years (2012: Flanders: 4.55%; Wallonia: 10.12% and Brussels: 17.47%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statbel.fgov.be/fr/statistiques/chiffres/travailvie/emploi/chiffres/|title=Le marché du travail en chiffres absolus|work=fgov.be|access-date=17 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317231529/http://statbel.fgov.be/fr/statistiques/chiffres/travailvie/emploi/chiffres/|archive-date=17 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Gross Domestic Product in Belgium (2022)<ref name=eurostat>{{cite web|title= Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices by NUTS 2 regions|publisher= Eurostat|url= https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/NAMA_10R_2GDP__custom_2143705/default/table?lang=en}}</ref>
!Rank
!NUTS region
!Per capita<br /><small>in [[Euro]]s</small>
!% of EU average
|-
|1
|[[Brussels]]
|69,500
|style="text-align:right"|196
|-
|2
|[[Flemish Region]]
|43,800
|style="text-align:right"|124
|-
|3
|[[Wallonia|Walloon Region]]
|30,700
|style="text-align:right"|87
|}

=== Brussels ===
Being the ''[[de facto]]'' capital of the European Union, its economy is very service-oriented. It has a number of regional headquarters of multinational corporations. It is also host to a great number of European institutions, in addition to the [[Belgian federal government]], the government of the [[Flemish Community]] and the government of the [[French Community of Belgium|French Community]]. Brussels also has many commuters, with 230,000 coming from Flanders, and 130,000 from Wallonia. Much of the success of Brussels is based on the high educational skills of its workforce.  As of July 2012, however, the statistical unemployment rate in Brussels was 20.6%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taux de chômage stable (20,6%) mais augmentation du nombre de chercheurs d'emploi sur base annuelle|url=http://www.actiris.be/Portals/1/ACTIRIS/Documents/FR/2012-07%20Communiqu%C3%A9%20de%20presse%20ACTIRIS%20OK.pdf|publisher=Actiris.be }}{{dead link|date=September 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Flanders ===
[[Image:Zicht op het Delwaidedok.jpg|thumb|The {{Interlanguage link multi|Bevrijdingsdok|nl}} [[container terminal]] in the [[port of Antwerp]]]]

In 2004, the [[port of Antwerp]] was the second-largest European sea port by cargo volume, and the Antwerp freight railway station accounts for one-third of Belgian freight traffic. Antwerp is the first diamond market in the world, diamond exports account for roughly 1/10 of Belgian exports. The Antwerp-based [[BASF]] plant is the largest BASF-base outside Germany, and accounts on its own for about 2% of Belgian exports. Other industrial and service activities include car manufacturing, telecommunications, and photographic products.

The [[port of Bruges-Zeebrugge]] is one of the most important, modern and fastest growing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investinflanders.com/en/infrastructure/ports/zeebrugge/|title=Invest in Flanders|publisher=Invest in Flanders|access-date=2013-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831131319/http://www.investinflanders.com/en/infrastructure/ports/zeebrugge/|archive-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead }}</ref> ports in Europe. It is Europe's largest port for [[RoRo]] traffic<ref>[http://www.portofzeebrugge.com/content.asp?p=146&taal=E <!--|access-date=7 August 2009 }} -->] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[LNG|natural gas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wingas.de/zeebrugge.html?&L=1|title=WINGAS GmbH: Zeebrugge|publisher=Wingas.de|access-date=2013-02-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082718/http://www.wingas.de/zeebrugge.html?&L=1|archive-date=25 February 2012 }}</ref> It also is the world's largest port for the import and export of new vehicles.<ref>[http://www.zeebruggeport.be/E/jaarresultaten2008.pdf <!--|access-date=7 August 2009 }} -->] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Tourism is also a major component of the economy of Bruges. Due to its pristine medieval city centre, Bruges has become a popular tourist destination. Annually about 2.5 million day tourists visit the city and in 2007 there were about 1.4 million overnight stays.

The [[port of Ghent]], in the north of the city, is the third largest port of Belgium. It is accessed by the [[Ghent–Terneuzen Canal]], which ends near the Dutch port of [[Terneuzen]] on the [[Western Scheldt]]. The port houses, among others, big companies like [[ArcelorMittal]], [[Volvo Cars]], [[Volvo Trucks]], [[Volvo Parts]], [[Honda]], and [[Stora Enso]]. [[Ghent University]], the second-largest university of Belgium by number of students, and a number of research-oriented companies are situated in the central and southern part of the city. Tourism is increasingly becoming a major employer in the local area. [[Begonia]]s have been cultivated in the Ghent area since 1860. Belgium is the world's largest producer of begonias, planting 60 million tubers per year. Eighty percent of the crop is exported.<ref name=flowercarpet>{{cite web|url=http://www.flowercarpet.be/site/main.php?lg=en&otm=20&mtm=3&hst=_03&pg=130|title= Brussels' Flower Carpet|website=flowercarpet.be|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213112230/http://www.flowercarpet.be/site/main.php?lg=en&otm=20&mtm=3&hst=_03&pg=130|archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref>

=== Wallonia ===
In the past, Liège was one of the most important steel-making centres in Europe. Starting in 1817, [[John Cockerill (industrialist)|John Cockerill]] extensively developed the iron and steel industry. The industrial complex of [[Seraing]] was the largest in the world. Although now a shadow of its former self, steel production and the manufacture of steel goods remain important.

Liège has also been an important centre for [[gunsmithing]] since the [[Middle Ages]] and the arms industry is still strong with the headquarters of [[FN Herstal]]. The economy of the region is now diversified, the most important centers are mechanical industries ([[aircraft engine]] and [[spacecraft propulsion]]), space technology, information technology, [[biotechnology]] and also production of water, beer, and chocolate. [[Liège Science Park]] south east of the city, near the [[University of Liège]] campus, houses [[Research spin-off|spin-offs]] and high technology businesses. Liège is also a very important [[logistics]] center: the city possesses the third largest river port in Europe, directly connected to Antwerp, [[Rotterdam]] and Germany via the [[Meuse]] river and the [[Albert Canal]]. In 2006 [[Liège Airport]] was the 8th most important cargo airport in Europe. A new passenger terminal was opened in 2005. It is also the main hub and the headquarters of [[TNT Airways]].

Charleroi features an industrial area, iron and steel industry, glassworks, chemicals, and electrical engineering. Charleroi is in the center of a vast coal basin, called ''[[Pays Noir]]''. Many [[slag heap]]s still surround the city.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dnVBqWvFmQC&q=Charleroi+slag+heaps&pg=PA301|title = Belgium & Luxembourg|isbn = 9781858288710|last1 = Dunford|first1 = Martin|last2 = Lee|first2 = Phil|year = 2002}}</ref> Charleroi is also known for its publishing industry with [[Dupuis]], one of the main publishers of [[Franco-Belgian comics]], located in Marcinelle.

== Data ==
[[File:GDP per capita development in of Belgium.png|thumb|GDP per capita development of Belgium]]

The following table shows the main economic indicators in 1980–2021 (with IMF staff estimates in 2022–2027). Inflation under 5% is in green.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October/weo-report?c=124,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,PCPIPCH,LUR,GGXWDG_NGDP,&sy=1980&ey=2027&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Year
!GDP
<small>(in Bil. US$PPP)</small>
!GDP per capita
<small>(in US$ PPP)</small>
!GDP
<small>(in Bil. US$nominal)</small>
!GDP per capita
<small>(in US$ nominal)</small>
!GDP growth
<small>(real)</small>
!Inflation rate
<small>(in Percent)</small>
!Unemployment
<small>(in Percent)</small>
!Government debt
<small>(in % of GDP)</small>
|-
|1980
|106.1
|10,769.0
|123.5
|12,529.3
|{{Increase}}4.4%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}6.7%
|8.3%
|76.8%
|-
|1981
|{{Increase}}115.8
|{{Increase}}11,745.0
|{{Decrease}}102.2
|{{Decrease}}10,366.1
|{{Decrease}}-0.3%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}7.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}10.0%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}89.7%
|-
|1982
|{{Increase}}123.7
|{{Increase}}12,556.1
|{{Decrease}}90.0
|{{Decrease}}9,128.6
|{{Increase}}0.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.7%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}11.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}99.6%
|-
|1983
|{{Increase}}129.0
|{{Increase}}13,083.9
|{{Decrease}}85.0
|{{Decrease}}8,626.2
|{{Increase}}0.3%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}7.7%
|{{DecreasePositive}}10.7%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}110.3%
|-
|1984
|{{Increase}}136.9
|{{Increase}}13,897.6
|{{Decrease}}81.2
|{{Decrease}}8,244.8
|{{Increase}}2.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}6.3%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}10.8%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}114.6%
|-
|1985
|{{Increase}}143.6
|{{Increase}}14,566.9
|{{Increase}}84.5
|{{Increase}}8,568.7
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{Increase}}4.9%
|{{DecreasePositive}}10.1%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}119.4%
|-
|1986
|{{Increase}}149.2
|{{Increase}}15,129.2
|{{Increase}}117.1
|{{Increase}}11,873.8
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{Increase}}1.3%
|{{Steady}}10.1%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}124.7%
|-
|1987
|{{Increase}}156.4
|{{Increase}}15,851.6
|{{Increase}}145.4
|{{Increase}}14,740.5
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{Increase}}1.6%
|{{DecreasePositive}}9.8%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}129.2%
|-
|1988
|{{Increase}}169.5
|{{Increase}}17,166.6
|{{Increase}}158.1
|{{Increase}}16,008.6
|{{Increase}}4.7%
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}8.8%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}129.7%
|-
|1989
|{{Increase}}182.3
|{{Increase}}18,362.2
|{{Increase}}159.8
|{{Increase}}16,098.2
|{{Increase}}3.5%
|{{Increase}}3.1%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}126.4%
|-
|1990
|{{Increase}}195.0
|{{Increase}}19,607.2
|{{Increase}}200.1
|{{Increase}}20,119.9
|{{Increase}}3.1%
|{{Increase}}3.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}6.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}130.3%
|-
|1991
|{{Increase}}205.3
|{{Increase}}20,560.9
|{{Increase}}205.4
|{{Increase}}20,563.7
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{Increase}}3.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}6.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}131.8%
|-
|1992
|{{Increase}}213.2
|{{Increase}}21,276.7
|{{Increase}}228.7
|{{Increase}}22,823.0
|{{Increase}}1.5%
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}7.1%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}134.7%
|-
|1993
|{{Increase}}216.2
|{{Increase}}21,472.2
|{{Decrease}}218.7
|{{Decrease}}21,723.6
|{{Decrease}}-1.0%
|{{Increase}}2.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}138.9%
|-
|1994
|{{Increase}}227.9
|{{Increase}}22,566.2
|{{Increase}}238.6
|{{Increase}}23,624.5
|{{Increase}}3.2%
|{{Increase}}2.4%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}9.8%
|{{DecreasePositive}}137.1%
|-
|1995
|{{Increase}}238.3
|{{Increase}}23,519.1
|{{Increase}}288.3
|{{Increase}}28,458.5
|{{Increase}}2.4%
|{{Increase}}1.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}9.7%
|{{DecreasePositive}}131.3%
|-
|1996
|{{Increase}}245.8
|{{Increase}}24,236.3
|{{Decrease}}279.3
|{{Decrease}}27,535.3
|{{Increase}}1.3%
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{DecreasePositive}}9.6%
|{{DecreasePositive}}129.0%
|-
|1997
|{{Increase}}259.6
|{{Increase}}25,521.1
|{{Decrease}}253.0
|{{Decrease}}24,878.7
|{{Increase}}3.8%
|{{Increase}}1.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}9.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}124.3%
|-
|1998
|{{Increase}}267.6
|{{Increase}}26,257.7
|{{Increase}}258.9
|{{Increase}}25,399.2
|{{Increase}}2.0%
|{{Increase}}0.9%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}9.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}119.2%
|-
|1999
|{{Increase}}281.0
|{{Increase}}27,513.1
|{{Decrease}}258.5
|{{Decrease}}25,309.1
|{{Increase}}3.5%
|{{Increase}}1.1%
|{{DecreasePositive}}8.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}115.4%
|-
|2000
|{{Increase}}298.1
|{{Increase}}29,110.0
|{{Decrease}}236.9
|{{Decrease}}23,136.5
|{{Increase}}3.7%
|{{Increase}}2.7%
|{{DecreasePositive}}6.9%
|{{DecreasePositive}}109.6%
|-
|2001
|{{Increase}}308.1
|{{Increase}}30,021.8
|{{Decrease}}236.7
|{{Decrease}}23,067.2
|{{Increase}}1.1%
|{{Increase}}2.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}6.6%
|{{DecreasePositive}}108.2%
|-
|2002
|{{Increase}}318.3
|{{Increase}}30,870.9
|{{Increase}}258.2
|{{Increase}}25,044.3
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{Increase}}1.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}7.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}105.4%
|-
|2003
|{{Increase}}327.9
|{{Increase}}31,665.3
|{{Increase}}318.0
|{{Increase}}30,707.7
|{{Increase}}1.0%
|{{Increase}}1.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}101.7%
|-
|2004
|{{Increase}}348.7
|{{Increase}}33,545.0
|{{Increase}}369.0
|{{Increase}}35,497.6
|{{Increase}}3.6%
|{{Increase}}1.9%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}97.2%
|-
|2005
|{{Increase}}368.0
|{{Increase}}35,232.8
|{{Increase}}385.9
|{{Increase}}36,945.5
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{Increase}}2.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}95.1%
|-
|2006
|{{Increase}}389.1
|{{Increase}}37,014.5
|{{Increase}}408.3
|{{Increase}}38,841.8
|{{Increase}}2.6%
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}8.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}91.5%
|-
|2007
|{{Increase}}414.3
|{{Increase}}39,140.3
|{{Increase}}471.0
|{{Increase}}44,496.8
|{{Increase}}3.7%
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}87.3%
|-
|2008
|{{Increase}}424.1
|{{Increase}}39,760.0
|{{Increase}}517.3
|{{Increase}}48,493.1
|{{Increase}}0.4%
|{{Increase}}4.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.0%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}93.2%
|-
|2009
|{{Decrease}}418.2
|{{Decrease}}38,891.8
|{{Decrease}}482.7
|{{Decrease}}44,892.2
|{{Decrease}}-2.0%
|{{Increase}}0.0%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.0%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}100.2%
|-
|2010
|{{Increase}}435.4
|{{Increase}}40,162.4
|{{Decrease}}481.8
|{{Decrease}}44,448.2
|{{Increase}}2.9%
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.4%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}100.3%
|-
|2011
|{{Increase}}451.9
|{{Increase}}41,082.4
|{{Increase}}523.2
|{{Increase}}47,564.4
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{Increase}}3.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.2%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}103.5%
|-
|2012
|{{Increase}}469.7
|{{Increase}}42,409.3
|{{Decrease}}496.5
|{{Decrease}}44,824.2
|{{Increase}}0.7%
|{{Increase}}2.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}7.7%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}104.8%
|-
|2013
|{{Increase}}487.3
|{{Increase}}43,755.2
|{{Increase}}521.8
|{{Increase}}46,848.6
|{{Increase}}0.5%
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}105.5%
|-
|2014
|{{Increase}}503.6
|{{Increase}}45,043.2
|{{Increase}}535.5
|{{Increase}}47,897.0
|{{Increase}}1.6%
|{{Increase}}0.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}8.7%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}107.0%
|-
|2015
|{{Increase}}521.0
|{{Increase}}46,365.2
|{{Decrease}}462.4
|{{Decrease}}41,147.3
|{{Increase}}2.0%
|{{Increase}}0.6%
|{{Steady}}8.7%
|{{DecreasePositive}}105.2%
|-
|2016
|{{Increase}}550.6
|{{Increase}}48,679.7
|{{Increase}}475.9
|{{Increase}}42,076.4
|{{Increase}}1.3%
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.9%
|{{DecreasePositive}}105.0%
|-
|2017
|{{Increase}}575.8
|{{Increase}}50,726.6
|{{Increase}}502.6
|{{Increase}}44,274.1
|{{Increase}}1.6%
|{{Increase}}2.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}7.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}102.0%
|-
|2018
|{{Increase}}600.5
|{{Increase}}52,678.4
|{{Increase}}543.6
|{{Increase}}47,689.5
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{Increase}}2.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}6.0%
|{{DecreasePositive}}99.8%
|-
|2019
|{{Increase}}624.1
|{{Increase}}54,481.0
|{{Decrease}}535.4
|{{Decrease}}46,740.5
|{{Increase}}2.1%
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{DecreasePositive}}5.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}97.7%
|-
|2020
|{{Decrease}}595.7
|{{Decrease}}51,703.3
|{{Decrease}}521.3
|{{Decrease}}45,238.7
|{{Decrease}}-5.7%
|{{Increase}}0.4%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}5.8%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}112.8%
|-
|2021
|{{Increase}}659.3
|{{Increase}}57,054.5
|{{Increase}}599.1
|{{Increase}}51,849.3
|{{Increase}}6.2%
|{{Increase}}3.2%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}6.3%
|{{DecreasePositive}}108.4%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2022
|{{Increase}}723.1
|{{Increase}}62,065.1
|{{Decrease}}589.5
|{{Decrease}}50,597.9
|{{Increase}}2.4%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}9.5%
|{{DecreasePositive}}5.4%
|{{DecreasePositive}}103.9%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2023
|{{Increase}}751.7
|{{Increase}}64,125.3
|{{Increase}}596.7
|{{Increase}}50,906.1
|{{Increase}}0.4%
|{{Increase}}4.9%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}5.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}105.1%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2024
|{{Increase}}778.3
|{{Increase}}66,336.5
|{{Increase}}619.3
|{{Increase}}52,786.0
|{{Increase}}1.4%
|{{Increase}}1.8%
|{{Steady}}5.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}107.2%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2025
|{{Increase}}802.1
|{{Increase}}68,219.2
|{{Increase}}642.3
|{{Increase}}54,627.8
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{Steady}}5.6%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}109.7%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2026
|{{Increase}}827.5
|{{Increase}}70,140.6
|{{Increase}}666.5
|{{Increase}}56,487.1
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{DecreasePositive}}5.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}112.3%
|-style="background:#FFFFCC;font-style:italic;"
|2027
|{{Increase}}853.6
|{{Increase}}72,111.5
|{{Increase}}690.7
|{{Increase}}58,351.9
|{{Increase}}1.2%
|{{Increase}}1.7%
|{{Steady}}5.5%
|{{IncreaseNegative}}115.1%
|}

== Companies ==

In 2022, the sector with the highest number of companies registered in Belgium is Services with 433,375 companies followed by Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate with 169,544 companies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hithorizons.com/eu/analyses/country-statistics/belgium | title=Industry Breakdown of Companies in Belgium | website=HitHorizons}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Agriculture in Flanders]]
* [[Commemorative coins of Belgium]]
* [[ISPA Belgium]], trade association
* [[List of largest companies in Belgium]]
* [[Science and technology in Belgium]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*{{CIA World Factbook}}
*{{StateDept}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline}}

* [http://www.oecd.org/belgium/ OECD's Belgium country Web site] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011080227/http://www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/belgium OECD Economic Survey of Belgium]
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/BEL/Year/2012/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Belgium]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190827034719/http://bankbelgium.com/ Belgian banking digest]

{{Belgium topics}}

{{Members_of_the_European_Union_(EU)}}

{{Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development}}

{{World Trade Organization}}

{{Economy of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Economy of Belgium}}

[[Category:Economies of Europe by country|Belgium]]
[[Category:Economy of Belgium]]
[[Category:European Union member economies|Belgium]]
[[Category:OECD member economies|Belgium]]