Belgium's farms halve in 30 years as productivity growth slows

Statbel data show that the number of Belgian farms fell from about 67,000 in 1997 to 33,300 in 2025, a reduction of roughly 50 %. At the same time, the average farm size more than tripled, increasing from 12.5 ha in 1980 to 40.3 ha in 2025. The decline is most pronounced in Flanders and Wallonia, with older farm owners predominating – 57 % are aged 55 or older.

A separate ING Economic Focus report highlights that Belgium’s hourly productivity growth has halved since 2008, dropping from an annual 1.2 % to about 0.5 %. The slowdown is linked to weaker investment dynamics, reduced production efficiency and an ageing workforce, posing a long‑term risk to economic growth and public finances.