Belgium's business confidence indicator fell 4.9 points to -13.7 in February 2025, down from -8.8 in the prior month and missing forecasts of -7.5. The trade sector recorded the sharpest deterioration, with its index plunging to -17.9 from -5.6, as expectations and order forecasts to suppliers slumped sharply. In the manufacturing industry, confidence weakened to -17.1 from -11.0, with all sub-components declining amid a significant deterioration in assessments of total order books. Business-related services posted a third consecutive monthly drop, with the index slipping to -4.3 from -2.7. The building industry confidence was nearly unchanged at -7.1 from -6.8. source: National Bank of Belgium

Business Confidence in Belgium decreased to -13.70 points in February from -8.80 points in January of 2026. Business Confidence in Belgium averaged -7.27 points from 1980 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 10.10 points in July of 2021 and a record low of -36.10 points in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Belgium Business Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Belgium Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Business Confidence in Belgium decreased to -13.70 points in February from -8.80 points in January of 2026. Business Confidence in Belgium is expected to be -12.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Belgium Business Confidence is projected to trend around -8.00 points in 2027 and -7.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-26 02:00 PM
Business Confidence
Jan -8.8 -11.9 -10.2 -12.4
2026-02-23 02:00 PM
Business Confidence
Feb -13.7 -8.8 -7.5 -8
2026-03-25 02:00 PM
Business Confidence
Mar -13.7 -12


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 981.00 1116.00 Companies Jan 2026
Business Confidence -13.70 -8.80 points Feb 2026
Capacity Utilization 76.90 78.60 percent Mar 2026
New Passenger Car Registrations 37075.00 32997.00 Units Feb 2026
Changes in Inventories 2745.20 2151.10 EUR Million Sep 2025
Corruption Index 69.00 69.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 21.00 22.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 5445.32 5560.77 Gigawatt-hour Dec 2025
Industrial Production YoY 4.00 11.20 percent Jan 2026
Industrial Production MoM -4.80 1.00 percent Jan 2026
Manufacturing Production 5.20 13.60 percent Jan 2026
Mining Production 19.70 9.70 percent Jan 2026
Natural Gas Stocks Capacity 8.98 8.98 TWh Mar 2026
Natural Gas Stocks Injection 0.00 0.00 GWh/d Mar 2026
Natural Gas Stocks Inventory 2.23 2.26 TWh Mar 2026
Natural Gas Stocks Withdrawal 29.60 29.60 GWh/d Mar 2026
New Car Registrations YoY -7.70 -18.70 percent Feb 2026


Belgium Business Confidence
In Belgium, the business confidence survey measures the level of optimism that people who run companies have about the current economic situation and how they feel about their organizations’ prospects in the next three months. Every month, a panel of around 6000 business leaders is contacted.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-13.70 -8.80 10.10 -36.10 1980 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
Belgium's Business Sentiment Deteriorates Broadly in February
Belgium's business confidence indicator fell 4.9 points to -13.7 in February 2025, down from -8.8 in the prior month and missing forecasts of -7.5. The trade sector recorded the sharpest deterioration, with its index plunging to -17.9 from -5.6, as expectations and order forecasts to suppliers slumped sharply. In the manufacturing industry, confidence weakened to -17.1 from -11.0, with all sub-components declining amid a significant deterioration in assessments of total order books. Business-related services posted a third consecutive monthly drop, with the index slipping to -4.3 from -2.7. The building industry confidence was nearly unchanged at -7.1 from -6.8.
2026-02-23
Belgium Business Confidence Rebounds in January
The business confidence indicator in Belgium rose by 3.8 points to -11.0 in January 2026, rebounding from a seven-month low of -11.9 in December 2025 and exceeding the market consensus of -10.2. Confidence strengthened across key cyclical sectors. In the manufacturing industry (-11.0 vs -14.8 in December 2025), the rebound was driven by more optimistic assessments of total order books and, to a lesser extent, improved employment expectations. The building industry (-6.8 vs -8.3) recovered after monthly declines since October 2025, led by stronger demand expectations. Trade (-5.6 vs -13.8) saw a sharp improvement in sentiment as demand and supplier orders picked up, although firms plan to hire fewer staff in the coming three months. By contrast, business-related services (-2.7 vs -2.5) weakened for the second consecutive month, reflecting lower expectations for market demand and activity, partially offset by more positive assessments of current activity.
2026-01-26
Belgium Business Pessimism Deepens in December
The business confidence indicator in Belgium fell 3.7 points to -11.9 in December 2025, marking the lowest reading since May and following -8.2 in November, well below the market consensus of -7.8. Confidence weakened across most sectors, with manufacturing industry (-14.8 vs -9.9) falling amid pessimistic order books, low stock levels, and weaker employment and demand expectations. Business-related services (-2.5 vs -2.2) remained largely stable, as negative assessments of current activity were offset by more optimistic expectations for future activity and market demand. Building industry (-8.3 vs -6.5) declined on reduced equipment use and lower order volumes. Trade (-13.8 vs -8.9) fell for the second consecutive month, driven by expectations of falling demand and reduced orders, though firms still plan to hire over the next three months.
2025-12-19