Belgium’s once-thriving shoemaker industry continues to grapple with significant challenges as the number of shoemakers in the country dwindles sharply.
As of 2025, there are now only 320 active shoemakers, a stark contrast to the 500-plus that operated a decade ago. The decline has raised concerns about the future of the craft and the quality of footwear in the country.
According to Iris Houben, Chair of Shoefed, the Belgian Federation of the Shoe Industry and Leather Crafts, the drop in numbers can be attributed to multiple factors.
“Our profession is experiencing significant ageing, leading many shoemakers to retire without successors. Additionally, the abolition of the flat-rate VAT system has caused some to shut down their businesses,” Houben explained in an interview with De Zondag.
The industry’s challenges are further compounded by the lack of new talent entering the trade. In Flanders, the absence of formal shoemaking training programs means that young people are not learning the craft.
Houben points out that there is no longer a structured pathway for individuals interested in becoming shoemakers.
“And due to competition fears, not every shoemaker is willing to train someone,” she added. As a result, the expertise required to maintain traditional shoemaking practices is rapidly disappearing.
Many of the remaining shoemakers are concerned about the decline in the quality of footwear in Belgium. With the rise of fast fashion and mass-produced, low-cost shoes, consumers are opting for cheaper alternatives that lack durability.
Houben voiced frustration about the materials being used in contemporary footwear. “Shoes are often so cheap that when they break, it’s not worth repairing them. People prefer to buy a new pair instead,” she said.
The culture of repair and craftsmanship that once characterized Belgium’s shoe industry is now in decline. The sustainability trend that has flourished in other sectors has yet to make significant inroads into the footwear industry.
This leaves many shoemakers feeling disillusioned, as they are increasingly unable to compete with the mass production of inexpensive shoes.
The lack of interest in shoe repair and the devaluation of craftsmanship are evident. The current generation of consumers tends to view shoes as disposable items, leading to a surge in fast fashion purchases and a steady decline in the demand for skilled shoemakers.
Houben stressed that although the repair of shoes might be seen as a valuable service, the cost of repairs often exceeds the cost of a new pair of shoes, leaving little incentive for customers to seek out traditional craftsmanship.
As the number of shoemakers continues to shrink, the future of the trade hangs in the balance. Many of the remaining artisans are aging, and without new talent entering the field, there are fears that Belgium could lose an important part of its cultural heritage.
Efforts to revive the profession and maintain the quality of craftsmanship may need to focus not only on training the next generation of shoemakers but also on promoting the values of sustainability and repair that are increasingly gaining traction in other industries. Without these changes, Belgium may soon see the craft of shoemaking become a lost art.
