Belgium Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Belgium's industry employment was 19.25% in 2025, ranked 94th globally. This represents a 1.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Belgium's industry employment stood at 19.25% in 2025, a decline of +0.28% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 19.24% by 2026. Belgium ranked 94th globally.
Belgium’s share of employment in industry has fallen sharply over the 35‑year series, slipping from a peak of 30.33 percent in 1991 to a trough of 19.25 percent in 2025, placing the country 94th globally in the most recent year. The decline reflects the long‑standing shift toward services and high‑value manufacturing, a pattern echoed in other advanced economies such as Australia, which recorded 19.29 percent in the same period. The contraction is also visible when compared with smaller economies; the Dominican Republic posted 18.97 percent and Paraguay 18.95 percent, indicating that Belgium now clusters with nations that have already transitioned away from heavy industrial employment. Structural reforms, automation and the growth of the knowledge sector have accelerated the reduction in industrial jobs, while modest gains in green manufacturing could temper the downward trajectory. Continued investment in skill development and clean‑technology production will be crucial if Belgium aims to stabilize or modestly reverse the decline in industry employment.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 18.85% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 19.04% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 19.24% | - | - |
| 2025 | 19.25% | −0.28% | #94 |
| 2024 | 19.52% | −0.63% | #97 |
| 2023 | 20.15% | −0.31% | #105 |
| 2022 | 20.46% | +0.70% | #107 |
| 2021 | 19.76% | −0.94% | #102 |
| 2020 | 20.70% | −0.43% | #113 |
| 2019 | 21.12% | +0.20% | #116 |
| 2018 | 20.92% | −0.25% | #115 |
| 2017 | 21.17% | −0.09% | #114 |
| 2016 | 21.26% | −0.17% | #112 |
| 2015 | 21.43% | +0.04% | #111 |
| 2014 | 21.39% | −0.31% | #111 |
| 2013 | 21.70% | −0.05% | #119 |
| 2012 | 21.76% | −1.48% | #116 |
| 2011 | 23.23% | −0.14% | #127 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgium's industry employment was 19.25% in 2025. Ranked 94th globally. This represents a 1.4% decrease from the previous year.
Belgium's industry employment peaked at 30.33% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Belgium was 19.25% in 2025.
Belgium ranks 94th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belgium's industry employment is projected to reach 19.24% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Belgium in 2025 was 19.25%. This ranks 94th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_industry-employment,
title = {Belgium Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}