Scientific research and development: the largest employers in Brussels
As of 12 Nov 2026, 79 companies in Scientific research and development (NACE 72) in Brussels report employees in recent accounts (financial years 2024 to 2026). The 10 largest employers account for 6,834.2 FTE, out of 7,446.7 for all of them; median headcount is 6.9 FTE. Fonds voor wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen leads with 2,772.6 FTE (financial year 2025).
Top 50 · Scientific research and development · Brussels
Ranked by average headcount (FTE) reported in the latest filed accounts (accounts less than 3 years old).
Ranking based on each company's own annual accounts (statutory, not consolidated): a subsidiary and its parent appear separately, and the ranking differs from lists based on consolidated group accounts. Headcount reported by the company for all its sites: the jobs may be located elsewhere.
“—”: not published. Small companies (micro and abridged accounts) do not have to publish their revenue.
Scientific research and development across Belgium → All sectors · Brussels →
Other sectors · Brussels
- 01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities26
- 02 Forestry and logging12
- 10 Manufacture of food products233
- 11 Manufacture of beverages19
- 13 Manufacture of textiles21
- 14 Manufacture of wearing apparel24
- 16 Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials34
- 17 Manufacture of paper and paper products12
- 18 Printing and reproduction of recorded media50
- 20 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products38
- 21 Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations20
- 22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products16
- 23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products18
- 25 Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment62
- 26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products37
- 27 Manufacture of electrical equipment22
- 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.28
- 31 Manufacture of furniture29
- 32 Other manufacturing68
- 33 Repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment39
- 35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply35
- 38 Waste collection, recovery and disposal activities29
- 41 Construction of residential and non-residential buildings305
- 42 Civil engineering38
- 43 Specialised construction activities778
- 46 Wholesale trade1,388
- 47 Retail trade2,364
- 49 Land transport and transport via pipelines592
- 52 Warehousing, storage and support activities for transportation108
- 53 Postal and courier activities56
- 55 Accommodation234
- 56 Food and beverage service activities1,926
- 58 Publishing activities117
- 59 Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities221
- 60 Programming, broadcasting, news agency and other content distribution activities22
- 61 Telecommunication43
- 62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities765
- 63 Computing infrastructure, data processing, hosting and other information service activities109
- 64 Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding345
- 65 Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security25
- 66 Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities288
- 68 Real estate activities796
- 69 Legal and accounting activities753
- 70 Activities of head offices and management consultancy928
- 71 Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis291
- 73 Activities of advertising, market research and public relations372
- 74 Other professional, scientific and technical activities91
- 75 Veterinary activities16
- 77 Rental and leasing activities67
- 78 Employment activities101
- 79 Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities83
- 80 Investigation and security activities25
- 81 Services to buildings and landscape activities265
- 82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities298
- 84 Public administration and defence; compulsory social security46
- 85 Education353
- 86 Human health activities714
- 87 Residential care activities182
- 88 Social work activities without accommodation367
- 90 Arts creation and performing arts activities151
- 91 Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities25
- 92 Gambling and betting activities44
- 93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities151
- 94 Activities of membership organisations670
- 95 Repair and maintenance of computers, personal and household goods, and motor vehicles and motorcycles124
- 96 Personal service activities385
Municipalities with the most companies in the sector · Brussels
Frequently asked questions
Which is the largest employer in Scientific research and development in Brussels?
Among companies, Fonds voor wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen, with 2,772.6 full-time equivalents reported (financial year 2025).
Are all the jobs located in the area?
Not necessarily: headcount is reported by the company for all its sites, and the company is ranked by the address of its registered office. 79 out of 186 companies in the sector report employees there.
Why does this ranking differ from other lists?
It uses each company's annual accounts as filed with the National Bank, not consolidated group accounts. A holding, a subsidiary or a purchasing entity can therefore appear separately. Only companies whose latest accounts are less than 3 years old are ranked.
Analyse companies · Brussels
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Open the full file →Active companies (legal entities) that have filed at least one set of annual accounts, based on the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and the National Bank of Belgium. The sector is the main activity in the register; the municipality is that of the registered office. Data updated on 12 Nov 2026.