Belgium

In 2019, Western European construction recorded output of USD4,588 billion despite a slight slowdown in major economies. The COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and related uncertainty led to residential and commercial construction contracting. Rising…

The global urban consumer landscape is increasingly complex and difficult to navigate. Which cities should you choose for your consumer business expansion? To answer this and other questions, we are introducing the Euromonitor International Cities…

The briefing examines how personalised healthcare market is evolving. The report also provides insights on the countries most ready to use personalised healthcare services, and the potential impact on the pharmaceuticals and medical sectors.

The briefing introduces the 2022 Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Index which has been produced for 37 countries globally. The index seeks to assess the readiness of each country across four key pillars: Market Maturity, Income and Spending,…

The report examines key factors in supply chain risks in metals, energy and agricultural commodities. Production, market supply concentration and political risks analysis can help to better identify potential risks and prepare for potential…

Positive net migration will be the main driver of strong population expansion in Belgium in 2021-2040. Ageing will continue to be a key demographic theme, affecting consumer trends and placing a burden on state resources. Urbanisation will be swift…

Belgium ranks high in financial freedom indicators globally fostering positive business growth and expansion. Belgium’s economic stability, high level of R&D, strong infrastructure and abundance of skilled workforce continues to attract foreign…

The number of households is set to increase slightly in Belgium over 2022-2027, with single person remaining the dominant household type. In 2022, household spending was affected by inflation, which stood at 9.6%, elevating living costs. The fastest…

The Belgian population is expanding due to an influx of immigrants, while businesses are becoming more diverse and inclusive. Consumer trends and consumption patterns sparked by the pandemic are still observed in 2022, and consumers are increasingly…

Belgium's consumer income is forecast to grow over 2022-2027, mainly driven by healthy long-term economic development. However, rising living and transportation costs may restrict purchasing power and discretionary spending, especially among…

The population of Brussels, the largest city in Belgium, is expected to continue growing, driven by net migration, good education and employment opportunities. Brussels is also set to remain the largest consumer market in Belgium, while Bruges…

Retail volume sales of cigarettes continued to decline in 2022. This was partly due to progressive increases in excise duties, which affected the affordability of traditional tobacco products. Consequently, some consumers opted to travel to…

Smoking tobacco volume sales decreased substantially in 2022. One reason this was an increase in unit prices, due to the rise in excise duties on smoking tobacco. This negatively affected both domestic sales of smoking tobacco, with many consumers…

Retail sales of e-vapour products saw accelerated growth in constant value terms in 2022, in keeping with rising levels of health consciousness within the population. While not without their own risks, e-vapour products were widely perceived as being…

Retail value sales of tobacco in Belgium continued to fall in constant value terms in 2022, alongside a decline in the prevalence of smoking within the national population. This was partly attributable to increasing health concerns, a trend that was…

Consumer Lifestyles offers valuable insights into key consumer attitudes and current thinking, and their impact on purchasing and consumption habits; quantifying behaviours, preferences and motivations and aligning them with broader trends

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. By going beyond typical demographic-based segmentation, such as age or gender, and grouping consumers based on shared traits and…

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits.

The alcoholic drinks landscape registered an overall decline in 2022, with a key reason being the re-opening of borders following the outbreak of COVID-19. As such, the number of Belgians crossing the border to buy alcohol, mainly from France and…

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the closure of pubs and bars, the complete re-opening of the Horeca channel led to growth in the on-trade for 2022. In addition, the return of international travel acted as a further boost for sales, while the…

The cider/perry retail landscape was declining fast in 2022, driven by a general decrease in the consumption of alcohol, aligned to rising health trends, as well as a lack of investment seen in the cider/perry market. A key challenge for the…

The RTDs landscape was the fastest growing in 2022, in both the off-trade and on-trade, with sales benefiting from the rising cocktail and mocktail trend seen in Belgium.

In 2022, spirits recorded a decline in off-trade sales in Belgium, with an increasing number of Belgians crossing the borders to buy their alcohol at lower prices in neighbouring countries. These consumers mostly go to France and Luxembourg, where…

Wine sales were decreasing in Belgium retail in 2022. Cross-border trade and the opening of horeca outlets were key reasons for a decline in retail sales, while the old-fashioned image of still and fortified wine continued to result in a decline for…

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on chocolate confectionery in Belgium, particularly in terms of gifting chocolate formats. With the closure of many non-essential stores and the cancellation of social events such as weddings…

The gum category suffered a significant setback due to the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020, particularly as it heavily relies on impulse purchasing. Many consumers opted for online shopping amidst pandemic-induced lockdowns, which led to a steep…

Consumers have resumed their more active lifestyles outside the home since quarantine limitations were lifted, which has also affected their product preferences. This change has also had an impact on the ice cream category, with more people beginning…

Pleasure remains the main purchasing motivation for consumers in savoury snacks. However, the growing importance attached to health is gradually shifting demand towards healthier options. More consumers are therefore looking for natural products,…

Snacks has seen solid retail volume growth in Belgium in recent years, and this is set to continue in 2023, due to the increasing demand for convenient and healthier snacking options amongst consumers. This growth has been further fuelled by the…

Indulgence remains the main driving force for sales of sugar confectionery in Belgium. Consumers are mainly looking for a moment of pleasure for themselves, or to share with others. They are thirsty for innovations, and are often willing to try new…

Although snacking is above all a question of pleasure and taste, the health aspect is also becoming increasingly important to consumers. Healthy and functional biscuits developed well in recent years, and as in every other category, consumers have…

The Antwerp in Belgium report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

The Brussels in Belgium report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

This Megatrends report highlights long-term trends resulting from shifts in consumer values and behaviour. It provides a summary of each of Euromonitor International’s 10 focus megatrends and insights as to how each trend has manifested in Belgium.

The number of passengers passing through Belgian airports is expected to continue to rise in 2023, with some categories, such as low cost carriers, exceeding the 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. Ryanair, the major low cost carrier is set to…

In 2023, leisure travel current value sales are expected to exceed their 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. As the threat of and measures related to the pandemic eased and lifted, Belgian consumers have been eager to travel. Leisure air travel,…

Lodging (destination) continues to recover well from the COVID-19 slump in Belgium. By the end of 2023, all types of lodging are expected to exceed their 2019 pre-pandemic retail current value sales. In addition, the number of room nights in hotels…

Domestic tourism derived some benefit in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as borders closed and consumers looked within the country for travel for economic, health and logistical reasons. As a result, the number of domestic trips is…

It is estimated that travel in 2023 will not reach the volume and value levels it would have without the COVID-19 disruption. Moreover, the inbound tourism flow is expected to remain lower in 2023, compared with the 2019 pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19)…

In its second edition, the EV Readiness Index 2023 indicates the best prepared markets for the electric vehicle (EV) transition. This follows growing EV take-up, with new electric passenger car registrations set to reach 20% of total registrations…

Sales of analgesics are seeing robust growth in current value terms in 2023, continuing on from the steady performance seen in 2022. During 2022, sales of analgesics benefited from a sudden peak in cases of flu in the middle of the winter. This was…

Consumer health in Belgium continues to see steady growth in current value terms in 2023, albeit at a slightly slower pace than in the previous year. Among the most dynamic categories are analgesics, sleep aids (driven by high stress levels among the…

Sales of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies are seeing strong growth in current value terms in 2023. This is partly due to inflation-driven price increases (also the consequence of supply shortages in some cases) and an increase in cough,…

Sales of dermatologicals strongly rely on consumers visiting pharmacies (the dominant distribution channel) as Belgians rarely go first to these stores specifically to purchase such products. Instead these are generally secondary purchases alongside…

Dietary supplements continues to see steady current value growth in 2023, in line with the performance seen in 2022. However, since the beginning of 2022, there has been an explosion in the price of ingredients (often imported) and energy costs and…

Digestive remedies has seen robust current value growth in 2023 due to a combination of two factors. Firstly, Belgians rediscovered the joy of taking holidays, more particularly outbound trips and local excursions. Until the end of 2021, it was…

Longer and stronger periods of pollen and increasing cases of allergies is boosting sales of eye care, primarily allergy eye care. Sales of these products have benefited from high pollen levels in Belgium in the early months of 2023 due to the…

Herbal/traditional products continues to see strong growth in current value terms in 2023. This is partly down to the impact of inflation alongside the rising cost of energy and imported ingredients, with herbal substances often having a higher cost…

During the pandemic many smokers delayed quitting due to the stressful environment and the switch to home working, which resulted in a small drop in volume sales of NRT smoking cessation aids. However, with the pandemic over and with a renewed focus…

While a growing number of adults are now working at home for at least one or two days during the week, most children are now back in nurseries and classrooms from morning until the afternoon, five days a week. As a result, children were not spared by…