Brussels Governance MonitorImpacted sectors
Key sectors of the Brussels economy, tracked and documented
Commerce: 13.5% vacancy rate, horeca 17% of bankruptcies
13.5% of commercial units are vacant (3,500 premises). Horeca accounts for 6% of SMEs but 17% of bankruptcies. The Pentagon has an 18.3% vacancy rate. The EUR 1.2 billion budget effort will also affect commerce support programmes.
Construction: sector crisis, −1,402 companies lost, no recovery before 2027
The sector lost 1,402 companies in 2024, the first decline in 10 years. The moratorium on 9 brownfield sites blocks ~800 housing units/year. No recovery expected before 2027.
Culture: Kanal saved, but FWB cuts EUR 12.9M, La Centrale closed, FAME cancelled
Kanal saved (EUR 60M), but the FWB cuts EUR 12.9M in culture, the City of Brussels reduces its budget by 19.6%, La Centrale is closed and the FAME festival cancelled. 168 cultural actors (RAB/BKO) demand guarantees.
Digital: 40% digital vulnerability, administrative Big Bang 25→4
Over 300,000 Brussels residents (40%) are digitally vulnerable. The administrative Big Bang merges 25 entities into 4 pillars, including Paradigm (Smart City). 40,000 digital jobs affected.
Education: childcare crisis (10,000 places missing), FWB −74M
Up to 10,000 childcare places are missing in Brussels. The FWB is cutting 74M EUR from the early childhood sector (ONE, nurseries). Plan Cigogne: 1,700 new places planned, but 7-9 years lead time per place.
Environment: LEZ 2026 active, −55% NOx, Renolution replaced
The LEZ 2026 banned diesel Euro 5 vehicles from 1 January, with measurable results: −55% NOx, −33% fine particles, −60% black carbon. ~400,000 vehicles affected. Renolution replaced by zero-interest loans (EUR 200M).
Health COCOM: INAMI budget 41.3 Bn, e-Health 2026-2029, EDC card
The 2026 INAMI health budget reaches 41.3 Bn EUR (+2%). The e-Health 2026-2029 plan has been published. Iriscare issued 5,871 European Disability Cards in 2025. COCOM still needs to relaunch accreditations, agreements and the homelessness plan.
Horeca: hotel VAT 6→12% (1 March), record bankruptcies, 5,631 jobs lost
2025: record year for bankruptcies in Brussels (2,184). Horeca accounts for 6% of SMEs but 17% of bankruptcies. Hotel VAT doubles (6→12%, 1 March 2026) with implementation complications (dual rates, transitional measures). 5,631 horeca jobs lost in Belgium in 2025.
Housing: SLRB EUR 197M in debt, sites sold, reference rent reformed
The SLRB has accumulated EUR 197M in debt and must sell two sites (Ariane, Palais) for EUR 52-53M. 62,234 households are waiting for social housing. The reference rent is being reformed with incentives for landlords.
Nonprofit sector: 5,000+ organisations, 105,000 jobs, persistent triple blockage
Over 5,000 associations and 105,000 workers endured 600+ days without a government. Organisations laid off staff, imposed part-time work or ceased operations. The triple blockage (no new policies, no adaptation to reforms, no 2025 budget) persists despite the formation of the government.
Public transport: Metro 3 suspended (EUR 4.76bn), STIB under pressure
Metro 3 has been suspended for 10 years after a 477% cost overrun (from ~EUR 1bn to EUR 4.76bn). STIB is postponing fleet and signalling investments. A new mobility plan will succeed Good Move.