Flanders’ Cultural and Creative Sector Contributes €16.6 Billion to Gross Value Added
In a significant announcement, the cultural and creative sector (CCS) in Flanders accounted for 5.18% of the region’s gross value added in 2024, totalling €16.6 billion, according to the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the Department for Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Society (WEWIS)., reports 24brussels.
The CCS encompasses twelve sectors: architecture, audiovisual media, visual arts, communication, design, heritage, gaming, print and digital media, fashion, music, new media, and the performing arts. Collectively, these sectors employed 225,230 individuals, representing 7.46% of the Flemish workforce. Among them, 89,748 were self-employed, constituting 15.97% of the total workforce.
Region of Makers and Entrepreneurs
“Flanders is clearly a region of makers and entrepreneurs,” stated 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.
Media minister Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) noted the figures confirm Flanders’ profile as an economic hotspot for media, gaming, and digital innovation, emphasizing that “we export stories, games and ideas that reach millions around the world.”
Government Support for the Sector
The Flemish government promotes the sector through multiple programs and initiatives. These initiatives include VLAIO-sponsored 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). Dedicated hubs have been established for gaming and media, such as Flanders Game Hub and Seeds & Growth for Media, while Flanders DC supports design and fashion.
Funding for audiovisual media comes from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund and Screen Flanders. Moreover, the “Entertainment Technology Flanders” project aims to establish the region as a preeminent hub for innovative entertainment.
Comparison with National and EU Averages
Despite the notable contribution of 5.18%, Flanders’ share of the CCS sector is slightly below the Belgian national average, which was 6.9% in 2022, surpassing the European average. Across the EU, the cultural and creative sectors represented a vital component of the business landscape, accounting for 6.3% of all enterprises and 2.03 million cultural businesses in 2022. More than a quarter (27.4%) were engaged in creative, arts, and entertainment activities, creating a significant share of value added.
In relative terms, the CCS share was highest in the Netherlands (11.0%) and Sweden (10.8%), whereas Bulgaria and Slovakia recorded less than 5%. The highest value added by cultural enterprises compared to national output was seen in Cyprus (5.4%) and Finland (2.8%). Furthermore, over half of all cultural enterprises in the EU (51.5%) are concentrated in 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
