Discover the updated version of this study, published in February 2023, and explore the key findings, figures and trends that are shaping the future of the CCIs in Brussels.
The cultural and creative industries account for:
- 22,000 businesses in Brussels – compared with 25,000 in 2019 – (96% of which are VSEs and micro-enterprises)
- More than 100,000 jobs
- Turnover of more than €13,197 million
- A net added value of 3.9% for the regional economy.
It is an innovative, diverse, dynamic and cosmopolitan ecosystem, much like Brussels itself, as 30% of its workforce are of foreign origin.
The knock, then the comeback
Whilst the CCIs’ contribution to Brussels GDP fell by 11.2% between 2019 and 2020 (whilst Brussels’ GDP fell by 6.1%), the sector experienced a marked recovery the following year, with growth of 10.1%, demonstrating its resilience in the face of crises. Turnover followed a similar trend: after falling by 12.5% between 2019 and 2020, it then rebounded, rising by 13.9%.
These figures demonstrate these businesses’ remarkable ability to bounce back and point to a return to pre-crisis levels in the coming years.
A major source of employment
A major economic force, the CCI sector is one of the capital’s largest in terms of employment. However, the study highlights the vulnerability of some of its workers, who include a particularly high number of self-employed and freelance workers, and who earn a below-average monthly income.
Whilst this sector was hit twice as hard as others by the COVID-19 crisis, government support and measures have helped to limit bankruptcies, safeguard jobs and, two years on, achieve a degree of stability.
Essential public support
In the face of a succession of crises, the study sets out a series of recommendations aimed at continuing to support the CCI sector, which is so valuable to Brussels, not only economically but also socially and culturally.
These include strengthening public support measures, which have recently proved highly effective, as well as the need to focus on certain sectors that have been particularly hard hit and which have a real impact in Brussels (the audiovisual sector, event organisation and gaming).
In an international context, the study also highlights the importance of accelerating businesses’ digital transitions in terms of training and equipment.
Finally, it is also recommended that more work be done to promote inclusion and equal opportunities in a sector that is still overwhelmingly male-dominated – 40% of the CCI workforce are women, with a pay gap that still stood at around 1% in 2020 – in order to give everyone the same opportunities, particularly in terms of access to training, funding and employment.
A priority in the hub.brussels action plan
Supporting the creative and cultural industries in Brussels and abroad is an integral part of hub.brussels’ action plan. “This involves showcasing talent during economic missions, as well as through our play.brussels and hospitality.brussels clusters, and by promoting Brussels as a creative capital to attract new investment and creative talent,” explains Isabelle Grippa, CEO of hub.brussels. “In June 2022, we also set up a platform to coordinate all the organisations responsible for supporting and defending the interests of creative entrepreneurs, with a view to providing better support for the career paths of these key players in the future.”
