Belgium Economic Snapshot

Economic Forecast Summary (June 2023)

June 2023

Economic Outlook Note - Belgium

Real GDP growth is projected to slow to 0.9% in 2023, before picking up to 1.4% in 2024. Inflation, tighter financing conditions, and high uncertainty will drag on domestic growth, while weak global trade prospects will weigh on net exports. By contrast, public investment, solid labour demand and automatic wage indexation will sustain activity. Headline inflation is projected to fall to 4% in 2023, due to falling energy prices, and 3.7% in 2024.

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Key Resources

Economic Survey of Belgium (June 2022)

Belgium’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been robust thanks to extensive policy support. However, the new shock from the war in Ukraine is exacerbating inﬂation, and supply and labour market shortages, highlighting the importance of boosting the resilience of the Belgian economy. Medium-term ﬁscal sustainability challenges should be addressed by limiting early exit possibilities from the labour market, improving the efﬁciency of public spending, in particular through spending reviews, and boosting the coordination of ﬁscal policies by all levels of government to create room for public investment.

Executive Summary

Presentation

Reform Priorities (April 2021)

Going for Growth 2021 - Belgium

Improving business dynamism will be key to revive productivity growth and job creation in recovery. Reforms are hence needed to lower barriers to entry but also smooth the restructuring of firms and exit of non-viable ones. A more flexible labour market and activation policies will ensure the conditions for productive firms to grow and increase inclusiveness.