Structural business statistics in Belgium

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Structural business statistics in Belgium

Are you planning to Start a business in Belgium? Is it better a Branch or Subsidiary for Belgium?

In the complex world of the Belgian economy, we focus on structural business statistics. These insights are key to understanding the non-financial business sector. Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, has shared data from 2022. It shows the lively and varied business scene in Belgium.

With 750,852 enterprises and over 3 million workers, the data paints a full picture. It covers sectors like services, construction, and trade. This information is vital for making smart economic decisions.

Knowing these structural business statistics is very important. They help shape economic policies. This knowledge is essential for growing the economy in a sustainable way. It ensures we tackle economic challenges with accurate and detailed data.

Overview of the Non-Financial Business Economy

The non-financial business economy in Belgium is lively and strong. Statbel says it has many Belgian companies. These companies are key to the economy. They help us see how businesses outside finance and farming add to the economy.

Key Metrics from 2022

In 2022, there were 750,852 registered businesses in this sector. They employed 3,059,668 people. This shows a good balance in jobs across different areas.

The service sector is the biggest, making up 58% of all businesses. This shows its big role in Belgium’s economy.

Total Enterprises and Employment Numbers

Construction and trade also play big roles, with 19% and 20% of jobs, respectively. This balance shows the sector’s health. Belgian companies are growing, creating more jobs and making Belgium strong in Europe.

Structural Business Statistics in Belgium

Structural business statistics are key to understanding businesses in Belgium. They help us see how the economy and society are changing. This data is crucial for making economic policies and checking how different sectors are doing.

It also helps us keep an eye on jobs. This information is vital for making smart decisions at both public and private levels.

Importance of Structural Business Statistics

Structural business statistics are more than just numbers. They give us a full view of the business world. They show us things like how many new businesses start and how many close down.

In 2020, we saw that many Belgians were confident in starting their own business. This shows how important these statistics are for understanding the labour market.

Utilisation in Economic Policy Formulation

These statistics are the base for making economic policies in Belgium. They help policymakers create plans that boost the economy. They look at things like how much money is lent to small businesses.

This information is key for policies that support new businesses, create jobs, and improve the economy. By studying these statistics, we can make better decisions for the future. This helps us deal with the challenges of today’s economy.

structural business statistics significance

Sectoral Distribution of Enterprises

The economy in Belgium is complex, with the service sector leading the way. It creates a lot of jobs and has many businesses. Looking at service industry stats shows its big role in the workforce. It’s a key part of our economy.

Service Sector Dominance

The service sector is crucial, employing over 50% of Belgians. It shows the value of jobs in retail and healthcare. With more businesses, it shows our shift towards service jobs.

Construction and Trade Contributions

Construction and trade are big, making up 19% of all businesses. They also employ about 11% of the workforce. Together, they are vital for the economy, supporting jobs and other industries.

Role of Industry in the Economy

Industry may have fewer businesses, but it’s important. Each industrial business has an average of 12.8 employees. This shows its big role in creating jobs, even if it’s smaller in number.

Economic Performance by Sector

Looking at how different sectors perform in Belgium’s economy is key. In 2022, we saw important signs, like sector turnover and value added. These show how each industry helps the country.

Turnover and Purchases Across Sectors

The trade sector led the way, with a turnover of €610 billion and purchases of €555 billion. This shows it’s strong and vital for Belgium’s economy.

Value Added and Gross Operating Surplus

The service sector was a standout, adding €115 billion to the economy. Its gross operating surplus was €57 billion. This proves its big role in Belgium’s economy, even with changes in the market.

economic performance Belgium

Enterprise Size Breakdown

It’s important to know about enterprise sizes for good economic analysis. The size of enterprises shows how they affect the economy in Belgium. We see big differences between small and large businesses, each with their own role in jobs and the economy.

Micro Enterprises and Their Impact

Micro enterprises, with less than 10 employees, make up 95.9% of all businesses. But, they only create 34.2% of all jobs. This shows a big challenge for these small businesses to grow.

These small businesses are key to local economies and innovation. But, they face issues with productivity, doing half as much as bigger businesses.

Large Enterprises and Employment Contribution

Large enterprises, on the other hand, are just 0.1% of all businesses. Yet, they create 34.9% of all jobs in Belgium. This shows how different sizes of businesses affect the economy.

While small businesses are many, big ones offer more jobs and better pay. Knowing this helps make policies that help all businesses grow.

Productivity Indicators

Understanding productivity indicators in Belgium is key for business strategies. This data helps us see how well we work and the economic state in different sectors. Looking at turnover and value added per employee gives us insights into how productive each sector is. This information is crucial for making decisions.

Turnover and Value Added Per Employee

The trade sector has the highest turnover per employee at €995,000. This shows its big role in the economy. The industrial sector comes next with €778,000 per employee. It also leads in value added, with €153,000 per employee, showing its high efficiency.

Trade and services also show good productivity. These numbers are important for Belgium’s economy and need more study.

Sector-Specific Productivity Analysis

Looking at sectoral productivity helps us understand the economy better. The strong numbers in different sectors mean businesses can improve their work. By knowing employee turnover, companies can compare themselves to others in their field.

This analysis is the base for checking how competitive we are. It helps in planning for growth, making Belgium’s economy stronger.

Trends and Insights for Future Research

Belgium’s structural business statistics provide a solid base for future research. They show us the current trends in business statistics. This helps us spot areas that need more study, especially in sectoral contributions and productivity.

These insights are key for shaping economic analysis opportunities. They help guide policy development and business strategies.

The ICT sector’s growth is a standout example. It saw a 71.1% increase in value added from 2011 to 2021. This growth highlights the need to look closely at how trends affect business and jobs across sectors.

Belgium’s ICT services employment has risen, but ICT manufacturing has fallen. We must delve into the labour market and technological changes. This shift brings both challenges and chances for innovation and economic strength in Belgium.


For those interested in starting a business in Belgium, the top business ideas to start in Belgium article offers insightful suggestions on lucrative ventures. Understanding the business culture in Belgium is crucial for success, providing a comprehensive overview of local customs and etiquette. Additionally, navigating the financial landscape is made easier with the business banking in Belgium guide, which details essential banking information. Finally, for a holistic view, the doing business in Belgium and relocating to Belgium for business articles covers various aspects of setting up and operating a business in the country.


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