EIB Investment Survey shows Belgium investments have returned above pre-COVID levels

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.

• Investments in Belgium last year were 4% higher than pre-COVID levels.
• Businesses in Belgium are ahead of overall European levels in terms of innovation and adoption of advanced digital technologies.
• Share of Belgian firms prioritising development or introduction of new products and services is far above the bloc’s average.

A very high percentage of Belgian firms (90%) reported having adopted digital technologies, the second highest percentage of all EU-countries and far above the bloc’s average, according to the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group Investment Survey country results released today. The survey results for Belgium also show that Belgian businesses are far ahead in using Internet of Things (IoT) in their firms. In this field Belgium is far ahead of other EU countries, with an adoption rate of around 65%.

The EIB Group Investment Survey (EIBIS), is an annual report based on polling of approximately 13,000 firms across all EU member states, with an additional sample from the United States. Its main results were released in October, showing that EU businesses lead way in investments in climate mitigation and adaptation.

The detailed country reports for individual member states are released today

 When it comes to Belgium, key takeaways include:

• Together with the Netherlands, Belgium leads the way in terms of the share of businesses’ investments devoted to intangible assets like software, data and website activities.
• Belgium shows a strong focus on investments in new products and services (39% vs. EU average of 25%).
• Around six out of every ten Belgian businesses (58%) invested in energy efficiency improvements.

“European companies are making significant progress in tackling climate change and embracing digital transformation across the board,” remarked EIB Chief Economist Debora Revoltella. “However, enhancing EU investment necessitates a more cohesive and integrated single market.”

The full country report about Belgium is available here.

Survey results feed into the annual Investment Report, the flagship publication of the EIB Group’s Economics Department, gauging the investment outlook for Europe’s economy. The next Investment Report will be released on 5 March 2025 during the annual EIB Group Forum in Luxembourg.  

The annual Forum brings together key stakeholders from the government, business and finance domains to exchange views on investment priorities that support Europe’s policies, including industrial decarbonization, artificial intelligence, the Capital Markets Union, security, housing and EU enlargement. The theme of this year’s event is Investing in a more sustainable and secure Europe. 

Background information

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

In 2024, the EIB Group reached a funding volume of just over €2 billion in Belgium, focusing on energy, innovation, SMEs and climate.