Economic news and analysis

Europe is economically the richest region in the world, alongside the United States. Yet the continent is structurally weak in one crucial area: energy. It has very limited domestic fossil fuel reserves, imports almost everything and is therefore highly sensitive to any disruption to the global market. This is not a temporary issue. It is a long-standing structural vulnerability.

When people think of oil, they tend to think of what goes into their car. But oil is far more than fuel. It is a geopolitical tool, a source of power, a lever in international relations. That is precisely why, even in times of transition towards greener energy, oil remains one of the most strategic commodities in the world.

U.S. private credit is unsettling the markets. Are investors about to relive the 2008 crisis?

The violence in the Middle East is taking a heavy human toll. The ongoing threat of drones and explosives is significantly disrupting the transport of fossil fuels in the region, leading to higher gas and oil prices. It remains difficult to predict whether or when a ceasefire will be reached. Nevertheless, based on scenarios developed by our colleagues in London, we can assess the potential impact on the Belgian economy.

AI-powered shopping assistants promise faster and cheaper deals by negotiating with online sellers. Yet new research shows that outcomes depend heavily on users’ ability to guide the bot effectively. As AI reshapes online shopping, a new digital divide based on “machine fluency” may emerge.

Economic growth in our country slowed sharply in the fourth quarter. This slowdown is reflected in our latest nowcast for the first three months of this year. Traditional indicators and our bank index point to sluggish growth. Recent international events have added further pressure since early March, although we do not currently expect a recession.