Real GDP:
- Q2 2023: 0.4% (quarter-on-quarter growth)
- Q2 2023: 2.6% (year-on-year growth)
Consumer Prices (HICP):
- July 2023: 1.6% (year-on-year change)
- Energy: 12.9% (year-on-year change)
- Unprocessed food: 4.1% (year-on-year change)
- Processed food: 6.1% (year-on-year change)
- Non-energy industrial goods: 4.1% (year-on-year change)
- Services: 4.14% (year-on-year change)
Labour Market:
- Total Employment: Q2 2023, 0.2% (quarter-on-quarter change)
- Unemployment rate: Q2 2023, 4.8%
- Youth Unemployment (< 25 years old): Q2 2023, 14.7%
- Unemployment (underlying trend): Q2 2023, 5.3%
Business Survey:
- Manufacturing Industry: July 2023, +9.6% (compared to the same month of the previous year)
- Building Industry: July 2023, +12.5% (compared to the same month of the previous year)
- Trade & Business-Related Services: July 2023, +8.6% (compared to the same month of the previous year)
Consumer Survey:
- Consumer Confidence Index: July 2023, -2.7
- Expectations on the General Economic Situation (over the next 12 months): July 2023, +1.6
The overall economic performance in Belgium showed modest growth in the second quarter of 2023, with a positive year-on-year change in Real GDP and Consumer Prices. The unemployment rate remains at 4.8%, and the youth unemployment rate is higher at 14.7%, indicating challenges in the labor market. Both the manufacturing and building industries reported positive year-on-year changes, while consumer confidence remained relatively low in July 2023. Nevertheless, expectations on the general economic situation improved slightly for the next 12 months.