2025.08.2513:24:47UTC+00Belgium Business Confidence Rises in August

Belgium's business confidence index increased by 1.9 points, reaching -8.9 in August 2025, compared to -10.8 in July. This rise represents the highest level seen since April 2023. The improvement was largely fueled by a boost in manufacturing confidence, which climbed to -10.5 from -13.5 in the previous month. Business leaders have shown a more positive assessment of total order books and remain hopeful about demand, projecting employment growth over the coming three months. Additionally, sentiment in the construction sector improved slightly, with the index moving from -10.0 to -9.4. Leaders in this industry displayed greater confidence regarding recent equipment utilization and orders, despite a decrease in seasonally adjusted order books, and they predict a mild increase in demand. Conversely, confidence in business-related services declined, with the index slipping from -1.2 to -1.5, due to revised down expectations in activity and market demand, even though current activity levels were seen more positively. The trade sector also experienced a dip in sentiment, falling to -8.3 from -7.2 as expectations for demand and employment were more negative, despite improved projections for supplier orders.