2000: 3% CONSTRUCTION GROWTH IN BELGIUM

Belgium construction is expected to rise with 3 percent in 2000 because of the stable economic development. This is according to a new report from European Construction Research. A stabile positive growth is also expected in the years after 2000 if Europe is able to keep a general growth. Construction will, however, not approach the growth rates of the last part of the 80s and beginning of the 90s.

Construction in Belgium

(growth in percent, 1991-2010)

With the stable development in the economy, construction in Belgium develops positively after the decline in 1996. Also in the forthcoming years, a growth is expected. After this, there will continue to be a stable economic development on a less significant level, because of Belgium's large public debt. Towards 2010, a growth internally in Europe as well as in world trade will give the export country Belgium increased prosperity and thus a higher growth in connection with construction. 
The development of construction in Belgium has been turbulent in the 90s with large movements in industrial and housing construction alike. With a number of arrangements for housing construction with reduced VAT till the summer of 1998 among other things, the sector gets going. But in spite of the progress of the economy, the unemployment rate is still high and the public debt likewise and construction will be vulnerable after 1999.