A record number of nearly 1.3 million people in Belgium worked as self-employed individuals last year, according to an annual report by the National Institute for the Social Security of the Self-Employed (NISSE) on Wednesday.
Over the past decade, the number of people choosing self-employment, particularly as a secondary occupation, has steadily increased. Recent figures from the report show that by the end of 2024, the number of self-employed individuals was just under the 1.3 million mark, reaching 1,299,825, a 1.61% rise from 2023.
Of these, 801,544 were mainly self-employed, reflecting a modest increase of 0.35%. In comparison, the number of those self-employed on a complementary basis rose by 2.7%, reaching 341,591.
The most notable growth was seen among retirees continuing to work. By the end of 2024, there was a 6% increase in self-employed pensioners, totalling nearly 157,000, up from just under 148,000 in 2023.
Federal Minister for the Middle Classes, Éléonore Simonet, commended both the work of her predecessors and the shift in attitudes towards self-employment and non-linear careers. She announced an upcoming 'SME Plan,' with details still being finalised for approval by the cabinet. The focus will include support for start-ups, with a vision of encouraging Belgian talent to remain local rather than seek opportunities abroad.
As for self-employed individuals currently working in Belgium, over a quarter of newly-starting freelancers are of foreign nationality. From the 33,528 people falling into this bracket, Romanians account for roughly a third of them, despite a small decrease from 2023. The Netherlands and France both continue to boast above 2,300 self-employed workers residing in Belgium.
Talking to L'Echo and De Tijd on Wednesday, Simonet also reflected on the continuing male dominance in the sector. "Only 36% of the self-employed in 2024 will be women. That figure is still far too low in these times. I think Belgium can and should become a model for equal opportunities in entrepreneurship."
