Flanders has a thriving creative sector, both in creative and economic terms. Based on the most recently available figures, the Flemish government's Department of Economy, Science and Innovation is mapping its economic impact. 

The website creatievesector.be presents figures on the number of employed full-time equivalents, self-employed, sales and added value of the creative sector in the Flemish Region. 

The share of the creative sector in the Flemish economy (Flemish Region)

In 2018 (most recently available figures), the creative sector accounted for 

• 187,196 employed FTEs, 6.62% of the total number of employed FTEs in the Flemish Region. 
• 60,660 self-employed, 12.34% of the total number of self-employed in the Flemish Region.
• 5.89% (€14.1 billion) of gross value added of the Flemish Region 
• 11.88% (€75.8 billion) of the total sales of the Flemish Region.

Global evolutions between 2009-2018

• the number of employed FTEs increased by 38%. 
• the number of actively self-employed increased by 118%.
• gross value added increased by 61%
• sales increased by 48%

Geographic distribution and evolution

The province of Antwerp has the largest number of FTEs employed in the creative sector (61,118), followed by East Flanders (40,069), Flemish Brabant (34,416), West Flanders (32,545) and Limburg (19,148).

Hubs with the highest number of FTEs employed in the creative sector are Antwerp (19,983), Ghent (7,679) and Mechelen (3,255).

Brussels Capital Region

In the latest impact measurement, figures from Flemish actors in the creative sector in Brussels were also counted for the first time. For more details on the calculation of these figures, please refer to the methodology document.

In 2018 (most recently available figures), the Flemish creative sector accounted for 12,251 FTE (employees and self-employed combined), representing an added value of €991.7 million and sales amounting to €4 billion.

Trends over time at the full, regional or sectoral level can be explored by compiling an individual graph.

Are you curious about additional information regarding this study and methodology? It is available at creationvesector.be/study.