In Belgium, despite a record number of new sole proprietorships and companies being established in 2024, there was a 12.75% decline in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
Preliminary figures suggest that the decline in new enterprises will continue into the second quarter of 2025, according to the new Starters Atlas released by GraydonCreditsafe, Unizo, and UCM on Thursday.
Eric Van den Broele, Director of Research & Development at GraydonCreditsafe, believes this downturn is likely due to the current geopolitical context. He cited the uncertainty in the world connected to figures like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu as contributing factors to the significant drop in company formations in the first half of 2025.
Belgians now appear more hesitant to start their own businesses. “Entrepreneurship involves risks, and many are questioning whether now is the right time to start and if they can withstand potential shocks,” Van den Broele commented. “However, those who do start now are better prepared for potential challenges.”
In 2024, Belgium saw the creation of 127,171 new businesses, an increase of 6.3% compared to 2023, marking a new record. However, 107,112 enterprises also ceased operations last year, resulting in a meagre net growth of just 1.52%.
“This low net growth, combined with the negative evolution in various sectors, should serve as a clear alarm signal for our governments,” emphasised Van den Broele.
