Belgium's business sentiment rebounds in January

Business Sentiment Across Key Sectors

The trade industry has experienced the most notable boost in confidence, largely driven by brighter outlooks for demand and supplier orders. Despite this positive shift, many business leaders anticipate a reduction in hiring over the coming quarter.

Within manufacturing, confidence has rebounded following a sharp decline in December. This renewed optimism stems primarily from a stronger evaluation of overall order volumes, along with somewhat improved expectations for employment.

Meanwhile, the construction sector is witnessing a recovery in business sentiment after several consecutive months of decline since October 2025.