Strike offs of enterprises

In 2023, there were a total of 53,295 strike offs (open definition) of enterprises in the Flemish Region. In the period 2008 to 2017, the number of strike offs remained fairly stable at around 30,000 per year, with the exception of a peak in the years 2013 to 2015. However, from 2017 onwards there was an increase, albeit with a small decrease in 2020. The cap of 40,000 strike offs was well surpassed in 2021 and 50,000 strike offs in 2023.

The Brussels Capital Region had 9,645 strike offs in 2023, the Walloon Region 21,396 strike offs. The total number of strike offs in the Walloon and Brussels Capital Region was therefore lower than the number of strike offs in the Flemish Region (53,295).

In 2023, there were 5,908 bankruptcies (open definition) in the Flemish Region. In the period from 2008 to 2013 there was an increase in the number of bankruptcies, followed by a decrease until 2018. However, in 2019 there was an increase again. In the corona years 2020 and 2021, the lowest figures in the period 2008-2022 were recorded, but in 2022 that number rose again to slightly above the pre-corona level. That rise continued in 2023.

In the Walloon Region and Brussels Capital Region, there were fewer bankruptcies in 2023 than in the Flemish Region (5,908). The Walloon Region ended 2023 with 2,656 bankruptcies. The Brussels Capital Region had 1,679 bankruptcies that year.