Belgian environmental sector rebounds strongly from COVID-19 pandemic
The Belgian environmental sector - which includes water and waste management as well as renewable energy production - is experiencing strong growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. Its total economic value has increased by 31 per cent in two years, the Federal Planning Bureau reported on Thursday.
The total production value of the sector rose from 27.8 billion euros in 2020 to 36.5 billion euros in 2022, an increase of 31 per cent. By comparison, the growth rate between 2014 and 2019 was only 24 percent.
The sharp increase in 2021 is mainly due to the recovery of economic activity after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Federal Planning Bureau. In 2022, high inflation led to a further increase in the value of environmental products and services.
The sector also grew in terms of employment. The number of full-time jobs rose from 82,000 in 2020 to 89,000 in 2022, an increase of 8 per cent. Although growth temporarily stalled in 2020, the sector is back on track with an average annual growth rate of 4 per cent, similar to pre-pandemic levels.
Outperforming Belgium's economy
The figures show that water and waste managment account for the largest share of output and value added within the environmental sector. They are also the largest employers within the sector.
The report further reveal that Belgium's environmental sector grew faster than the rest of the country's economy between 2014 and 2022. As a result, the sector's share of total output and value added increased to 3 percent and 2.1 percent respectively in 2022.
However, the sector's share of Belgian exports fells from 1.8 per cent to 1.5 per cent. According to the Planning Bureau, this is because the export value of oil and gas products has risen sharply.
PHOTO © Oli SCARFF / AFP
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