Business confidence in Belgium showed a modest improvement in May, though sentiment remains firmly pessimistic, according to the latest reading of the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) Business Climate index.
The indicator climbed to -13.3 in May 2026 from -14.2 in April 2026, signaling a slight easing in negative sentiment. While the move suggests that conditions may be stabilizing somewhat, the index’s continued position well below zero indicates that Belgian firms are still facing a challenging economic environment.
The updated figures, released on 22 May 2026, will be closely watched by market participants and policymakers as they assess whether the gradual uptick represents the beginning of a more sustained improvement in corporate outlooks or merely a temporary pause in broader weakness.
