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Wage differentiation in Belgium according to SILC data
This article for the June Economic Review examines the wage structure in Belgium over the last seven years and notably how return of experience and diplomas has changed. It also illustrates gaps in remuneration by company size and branch of activity, after controlling for staff differences.

Business confidence continues to gain momentum
Following the improvement recorded in March, the business barometer is back to a higher level than before the health crisis. Entrepreneurs appear more optimistic in all branches of activity surveyed, especially in the trade sector. The survey began on 1 March and was closed on the morning of 24 March, just before the announcement of renewed lockdown measures for a period of one month.

Business turnover continues to recover slowly but the outlook is becoming a little gloomier
The loss of turnover suffered by Belgian firms owing to the coronavirus crisis is down again slightly. The strongest improvement comes from the non-medical contact professions, although their loss of turnover is still considerable. In contrast, the outlook for firms in 2021 and 2022 has deteriorated slightly, possibly because the health crisis is persisting for longer than expected. The survey also reveals that firms expect to reduce their office space per employee considerably. That is clearly due to a structural rise in home working.

Sharp rise in consumer confidence in March
Morale amongst consumers continues to improve, moving back to its pre-pandemic level. With the exception of prospects regarding the financial situation of surveyed households, which have stabilised, all components of the indicator have picked up.

Belgian economic activity is expected to increase by 0.5 % in the first quarter of 2021
Belgian GDP declined marginally by 0.1 % in the fourth quarter. While this was somewhat better than expected, it is likely partly due to a temporary Brexit stockpiling effect pushing up exports. The reversal of this temporary effect should depress growth at the start of 2021.

- 13 April 2021 15:00
Key figures of the Central Individual Credit Register
- 14 April 2021 11:00
Press release - Financial accounts of Belgium (2020-IV)
- 15 April 2021 11:00
Foreign Trade statistic - Monthly Bulletin (F-N) (2021-01)
- 15 April 2021 11:00
Press release - Foreign Trade (F-N) (2021-01)
- 16 April 2021 15:00
Economic indicators for Belgium (2021-15)
- 19 April 2021 11:00
National accounts - First estimate of the annual accounts (F - N) (2020)
- 19 April 2021 11:00
National accounts - Quarterly accounts (F-N) (2020-IV)
- 20 April 2021 11:00
Press release - NAI - Quarterly accounts (2020-IV)
- 20 April 2021 11:00
Press release - NAI - Government accounts (2020)
- 20 April 2021 11:00
Statistical bulletin (2021-I)