REGIONAL DIFFERENTIATION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BELGIUM, 1846 - 1977

This paper focuses on the regional differences in employment growth in the Belgian provinces. Since regional transformations are long-run processes, the period studied covers the years between 1846 and 1977. It starts with the spatial and sectoral diffusion of modern industrialization, continues with the tertialisation process that went together with 20th century urbanization and ends with the recent crisis. In a first section, the growth figures and the changing shares of the provinces are discussed. A second section looks for an explanation of these changes. The differences of the sectoral structures and the specific regional advantages are combined in the shift share model. Finally, some effects of the differentiation of growth on the labour market are presented.