Belgium recorded an increase in corporate restructurings during the first half of 2026, though fewer workers received layoff notices compared to the previous year. Data from SPF WASO, analyzed by human-resources firm SD Worx, showed 5,115 employees were notified of potential collective redundancies between January and June, a 3% decline from 5,290 in the same period of 2025. The number of restructuring procedures, however, climbed from 59 to 63, indicating companies are opting for smaller, more frequent reorganizations.
Flanders bears the brunt, Wallonia and Brussels see relief
Flanders accounted for nearly two-thirds of all announced layoffs, a significant rise from 42% the year before. The region reported 3,372 affected workers, with West Flanders and Antwerp experiencing the highest concentrations.
Brussels and Wallonia saw notable improvements. Brussels recorded a 79% drop in affected employees, while Wallonia’s figure fell by 24%. The decline in Brussels can be linked to the region’s economic diversification, with a growing emphasis on service-based industries. Wallonia’s improvement reflects a gradual recovery in certain industrial sectors.
Transport and logistics overtake retail as hardest-hit sector
Transport and logistics emerged as the sector with the most job cuts, comprising over a third of all announced redundancies. Retail, which previously led in early 2025, has since dropped in rankings. Metals and petrochemicals continue to face instability but no longer dominate the statistics.
Social dialogue has helped mitigate some of the impact. Of the 4,539 workers involved in completed procedures, 467 retained their positions—about 10% of planned layoffs. That rate is slightly lower than the 12% recorded in the first half of 2025.
Severance gives way to retraining budgets
Employers are moving away from traditional severance packages. Many now set aside funds for personalized training and career transition support instead of lump-sum payouts.
These budgets go beyond mandatory outplacement services, enabling workers to reskill or transition to new industries. The Flemish employment agency VDAB states that around 70% of affected employees secure new roles within months.
Tracking these changes can be useful for those monitoring employment trends, especially when comparing profiles across platforms like social media networks.
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