Recent developments in the Brussels economy are detailed in the October Economic Overview, published by IBSA. This two-page report examines the economic situation of the Brussels-Capital Region and its recent evolution.
The trends observed in the previous report are confirmed. On the business side, signals remain favorable. In the second quarter of 2026, the cumulative turnover of industrial companies increased significantly again, reaching 23.63 billion euros. The services sector is also progressing. The number of bankruptcies remained limited (413) between June and August, staying well below its long-term average.
The situation is less favorable on the Brussels labor market. Unemployment is rising: between July and September, Brussels averaged 99,016 registered job seekers, with a particularly sharp increase among young people. The number of social integration income beneficiaries is rising sharply, reaching an average of 52,563 people from February to April 2026. Inflation continues to rise, averaging 4.1% during July to September.
