Creative sector accounted for 5.18% of the Flemish economy in 2024
In 2024, the cultural and creative sector (CCS) in Flanders contributed 5.18% to the region’s gross value added, amounting to €16.6 billion. This was announced on Tuesday by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the Department for Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Society (WEWIS).
The Flemish CCS covers twelve sectors: architecture, audiovisual media, visual arts, communication, design, heritage, gaming, print and digital media, fashion, music, new media, and the performing arts. These sectors together employed 225,230 people, accounting for 7.46% of the Flemish workforce. This includes 89,748 self-employed individuals, representing 15.97% of the total.
Region of makers and entrepreneurs
“Flanders is clearly a region of makers and entrepreneurs,” said Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele (N-VA). “In Kortrijk, we have one of the world’s leading schools for game design and product development. Antwerp remains a hub of fashion innovation, and our musicians and theatre artists continue to earn global recognition. These creative professionals contribute structurally to our prosperity and employment.”
We export stories, games and ideas that reach millions around the world
According to Media minister Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA), the figures confirm that “Flanders is not only rich in creative talent, but is also emerging as an economic hotspot for media, gaming and digital innovation. We export stories, games and ideas that reach millions around the world.”
Government support
The Flemish government supports the sector through a wide range of programmes and initiatives. These include VLAIO-backed projects such as BureauBR (architecture), ROVER (furniture), GOFLUO (reflective fashion), Contour Lab (clothing consultancy), Redopapers (sustainable stationery), Bubbly-Doo (board games), and helen b (porcelain design). Specific hubs have been set up for gaming and media (Flanders Game Hub, Seeds & Growth for Media, Future Media Hubs), while Flanders DC supports design and fashion.
Audiovisual media receive funding via the Flanders Audiovisual Fund and Screen Flanders. Additionally, the “Entertainment Technology Flanders” project aims to position the region as a leading hub for innovation in entertainment.
Below EU average
Although significant, Flanders' share of the CCS sector (5.18%) remains slightly below the Belgian national average. In 2022, the cultural and creative sector accounted for 6.9% of the Belgian economy, which is above the European average.
Across the EU, the cultural and creative sectors represent a significant part of the business landscape. In 2022, there were 2.03 million cultural enterprises in the EU, accounting for 6.3% of all businesses. Of these, over a quarter (27.4%) were involved in creative, arts and entertainment activities, followed by publishing (14.9%) and architecture (14.6%). These sectors contributed the highest share of value added.
Based on business numbers, the CCS share was particularly high in the Netherlands (11.0%) and Sweden (10.8%). By contrast, fewer than 5% of businesses in six EU countries were in the cultural sector, with the lowest figures recorded in Bulgaria and Slovakia (3.1%).
The highest value added by cultural enterprises relative to national business output was recorded in Cyprus (5.4%) and Finland (2.8%). In terms of turnover, Cyprus led again (5.4%), followed by France and Sweden (both 1.8%).
Over half of all cultural enterprises in the EU (51.5%) were concentrated in just four countries: France (17.5%), Italy (12.5%), the Netherlands (12.0%) and Spain (9.4%).
#FlandersNewsService | Models present a design by Amar Singh during the 2025 graduation show of fashion students from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, 6 June 2025. © BELGA PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM
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