Challenges Ahead for Belgium: Solid Consumption Masks Competitiveness and Fiscal Concerns

Solid consumer spending

The sharp rise in energy prices through to autumn 2022 and fall in prices thereafter raised fears of a V-shaped recession, particularly for household consumption. This, however, was not the case in Belgium. On the contrary, household consumption remained very solid throughout the period, even when energy bills hit consumer budgets the hardest. Household consumption has actually remained the main driver of economic growth over the last four quarters, as shown in the first chart below. There are several reasons for this:

1. Labour market strength

   First, the labour market remains very solid, despite slowing economic growth in the last quarter of 2022. 75,000 jobs were created in 2022 and 11,500 in the first quarter of this year alone. Job creation has therefore become a key driver in supporting both household income and consumption.

2. Automatic wage indexation

   Second, automatic wage indexation has remained in place and has resulted in a nominal increase in wages of at least 10%. It should be noted that, depending on the sector, the indexation mechanism comes into play at different times. A large number of workers, for example, saw their nominal wages increase by more than 11% at the start of 2023. It should also be noted that indexation applies to pensions and all social benefits too.

3. Government support measures

   Third, significant additional measures have been taken by the authorities to soften the impact of rising energy prices on household bills – including the first few months of 2023, when gas and electricity prices were falling sharply.

Consumption remains the main support for GDP growth

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