Expenditure Flemish government

Expenditure of the Flemish government amounted to 62.7 billion euros in 2024. This is an increase of 5% compared to 2023 (in current prices (open definition) (open definition)). This concerns ESR expenditure (open definition) (open definition).

The strongest increase in expenditure in recent years occurred in 2015. Expenditure then increased by 36% due to the transfer of a number of federal powers to Flanders. Based on the 6^th state reform, powers were transferred in the areas of the labour market, family allowances, healthcare, justice and traffic.

Current expenditure accounted for 90% of Flemish expenditure in 2024. The remaining 10% was capital or investment expenditure. Between 2020 and 2024, the share of current expenditure fell from 92% to 90% and the share of capital expenditure rose from 8% to 10%.

In 2024, 27% of current expenditure was intended for the Flemish government itself (including interest). 33% went as transfers or subsidies to other governments and 40% to other sectors. These are citizens, associations, companies and foreign countries.

Of the capital expenditure, 56% went to the Flemish government itself. 15% went as transfers or subsidies to other governments and 29% to other sectors.

Education and social protection were the largest expenditure items of the Flemish government in 2023. They each accounted for 27% of expenditure. Economic affairs, including mobility, came in third with 19%.