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Brussels Economic Growth Raises Questions for Residents Facing Job Pressures
The region's 0.4 percent expansion in 2025 highlights uneven effects on local employment and daily life.
How we reported this
Brussels generated 0.4 percent economic growth in 2025, driven by construction and real estate, while IT services declined and the labor market deteriorated for the first four quarters in a decade. This modest expansion comes as the region contributes 18 percent of Belgium's national GDP with 550,000 jobs, despite housing only 10.6 percent of the country's population.
Effects on Daily Employment
Unemployment is rising and temporary employment has returned to 2021 pandemic levels following the February 2025 closure of the Audi factory, which eliminated 3,414 jobs. Residents who rely on stable work now encounter fewer permanent options, which can stretch household budgets and limit spending in neighborhoods across the city. The shift affects families who previously held roles tied to larger employers and now seek new positions in a tightening market.
Service Focus and Manufacturing Gap
The economy is highly service-oriented with 93 percent of jobs in the services sector, while manufacturing represents only 3 percent of total employment. This structure means many residents work in roles that proved vulnerable during the recent slowdown, leaving communities with fewer diverse opportunities close to home. The concentration shapes local routines, from commuting patterns to the types of businesses that remain viable in central districts.
Targets for Future Growth
The Brussels economy minister targets doubling annual economic growth to 1.5 percent and increasing the manufacturing share of GDP to address deep economic challenges. Officials have pointed to these goals as a way to broaden job types available to residents and reduce reliance on services alone. The plan aims to ease pressures that have built over the past year for households connected to the current job market.
Residents can track updates from the Brussels economy minister through official regional channels for any new programs tied to these targets. Local job centers and employment services remain points of contact for those seeking support amid ongoing changes.