Turnover and investments

Turnover of enterprises increased by 2.1% in first quarter 2025

Enterprises
Turnover of enterprises increased by 2.1% in first quarter 2025

The turnover of enterprises in Belgium, excluding agricultural and financial sectors, amounted to 405.6 billion euros in the first quarter 2025, i.e. a 2.1% increase compared to the same period the year before.

In most economic sectors monitored in this statistic, we recorded turnover increases in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The largest turnover increases are recorded in the sectors “F Construction” (+8.5%), “D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply” (+8.1%) and “J Information and communication” (+6.9%).

The turnover decreased in 3 sectors. In order of importance in terms of turnover, these are the sectors “C Manufacturing” (-0.4%), “R Arts, entertainment and recreation” (-2.8%) and “B Mining and quarrying” (-11.9%).

The results for the first quarter 2025 are provisional. These results can be revised when additional data become available.

Turnover
Investments

Purpose and brief description

Turnover includes all amounts (excluding VAT) corresponding to the sale of goods and services by the VAT-registered unit to third parties in Belgium or abroad. Investments are the expenditure (excluding VAT) by the VAT-registered unit for the acquisition of goods and services which constitute a business asset.

Population

VAT-registered units, excluding the following NACE codes (NACE 2008 classification): A, 50.3 and 50.4, K, L, 69.1, 0, P, Q, 91, 92, 94, T and U.

Periodicity

Quarterly.

Release calendar

Results available 2 months after the reference period.

Definitions

Investments are the expenditure (excluding VAT) by the VAT-registered unit for the acquisition of goods and services which constitute a business asset: formation expenses, intangible fixed assets, land and buildings, plant, machinery and equipment, furniture and vehicles, leased fixed assets and other fixed assets. The wages of staff (who, for example, would be recruited to build or renovate a building) and other social charges and the purchase of other services, work and studies (e.g. architect's fees) are therefore not part of the investments.

Turnover includes all amounts (excluding VAT) corresponding to the sale of goods and services by the VAT-registered unit to third parties in Belgium or abroad. It also includes all other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) passed on to the customer, even if these charges are listed separately in the invoice. Reduction in prices, rebates and discounts as well as the value of returned products must be deducted (via credit notes). Income classified as other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income in company accounts is excluded from turnover.

Comments

Due to late VAT returns and/or derogations, the data of the last 2 years should be considered provisional and subject to revision.

Metadata

Turnover and investments based on VAT declarations (absolute figures).pdf