Belgium's manufacturing contribution to GDP has seen a consistent decline since the mid-1990s, starting at 18.3% in 1995 and gradually dropping to 12.6% in 2022. The drop aligns with Belgium’s shift towards a service-oriented economy and increasing labor costs affecting manufacturing competitiveness. Although there were minor gains, notably in 2015, structural challenges and a highly skilled labor market focusing on services and technology sectors have sustained this downward trend. Recent data show a slight stabilization, suggesting some resilience in specific manufacturing subsectors and renewed government support for industrial activity.
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