Belgium's biopharma sector sees first job losses in years as exports stall

Belgium’s influential biopharma industry is showing signs of strain for the first time in years, with both employment and export growth stalling in 2024, according to new figures published by sector group pharma.be.

Long viewed as a global hub for the life sciences sector, Belgium continues to lead the country’s exports. But fresh data shows that after years of consistent growth, bio-pharmaceutical employment has declined for the first time in a decade, falling by 0.5% this year.

Over the past five years, the sector had created 16% more jobs, helping fuel broader employment through its extensive network of suppliers and collaborators. Each direct job in the industry supports roughly three others in Belgium, the report said.