Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, published on 13 March the first annual results of the Labour Force Survey. Today, Statbel publishes the detailed results of the Labour Force Survey of 2023 via the update of the detailed publications: https://statbel.fgov.be/en/themes/work-training/labour-market/employment-and-unemployment.
More details on the quality of the data for 2024 are available on this page.
In 2024, the employment rate of 20-64-year-olds in Belgium is 72.3% and the ILO unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 is estimated at 5.8%. These results are fairly stable compared to 2023. This is what emerged from the annual results of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) published by Statbel, the Belgian statistical office. In order to achieve an employment rate of 80% by 2029, there must be some 550,000 additional employed people in the age group 20-64.
In 2024, 76.9% of people aged 20-64 are employed in Flanders, 67.1% in Wallonia and 64.1% in Brussels.
When we look at the employment rate over a period of 25 years, we see that it has shown a slight upward trend since 2000. In 2000, the employment rate was 65.8% and in 2024, the percentage of employed people was 6.5 percentage points higher (72.3%).
We note a strong catch-up phenomenon among women, as a result of which the gap with the employment rate of men still amounts to 8.0 percentage points in 2024, compared to 19.5 percentage points in 2000. In 2024, 68.3% of women aged 20-64 are employed, compared to 76.3% of men.
The sharp increase in the employment rate of 55-64-year-olds is quite remarkable. In 2000, 26.3% of the over-55s were employed. In 2024, that percentage has risen to 59.4%. The gap with the employment rate of 20-54-year-olds (76.1%) remains large.
A number of vulnerable groups still have low employment rates in 2024. For example, barely a quarter of people with severe long-term limitations in their daily activities due to a disability, disorder or illness are employed, as are 47.5% of low-skilled people and 58% of people with a non-EU27 nationality of origin.
In addition to the first annual results, the results for the fourth quarter are also known: the employment rate of people aged 20-64 is estimated in the fourth quarter 2024 at 72.8%, compared to 72.3% in the third quarter 2024. Only in Flanders does the employment rate increase between the third and fourth quarters 2024. The ILO unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 is estimated at 5.9% in the fourth quarter 2024, which is a stabilisation compared to the third quarter 2024 (6.0%).
You will find more details below about both the quarterly and annual results. The more detailed annual figures will be published from 25 March.
Labour market indicators: fourth quarter 2024
72.8% of people aged 20-64 are employed in the fourth quarter 2024
In the fourth quarter 2024, the employment rate of people aged 20 to 64 is estimated at 72.8%, i.e. 0.5 percentage points higher than in the third quarter 2024. In absolute terms, this means that in the fourth quarter 2024, about 4,945,000 people aged 20 to 64 are in work in Belgium. If we look at the population aged 15 and over, this is 5,124,000 employed people.
We see a stabilisation of the employment rate at 76.6% for men and an increase to 69.1% for women (Chart 1).
Only in Flanders does the employment rate increase in the fourth quarter 2024
Compared to the third quarter 2024, we observe an increase in the employment rate in Flanders and a non-significant decrease in Brussels and Wallonia (Chart 2).
The employment rate in the fourth quarter 2024 is estimated at 78.2% in Flanders, 66.3% in Wallonia and 63.8% in Brussels.
The ILO unemployment rate amounts to 5.9% in the fourth quarter 2024
In the fourth quarter 2024, the ILO unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 is 5.9%, which is about the same percentage as in the third quarter 2024 (6.0%). The unemployment rate amounts to 5.4% for women and 6.4% for men.
In absolute terms, there were about 319,000 ILO unemployed in the fourth quarter 2024: 137,000 women and 182,000 men.
Large regional differences in the unemployment rate
The unemployment rate in Brussels is estimated at 12.3% in the fourth quarter 2024, compared to 11.1% in the third quarter. In Wallonia, the unemployment rate is 8.0%, while in Flanders 3.8% of the labour force is unemployed.
Labour market indicators for the year 2024
72.3% of people aged 20-64 were employed in 2024
When the results of the fourth quarter 2024 become available, the first annual results can also be calculated as averages of the four quarterly results for 2024.
In 2024, the employment rate of 20-64-year-olds in Belgium is 72.3%. Among people aged 15-64, the ILO unemployment rate is estimated at 5.8%, the activity rate at 70.8% and the inactivity rate, or the percentage of inactive people on the labour market, at 29.2% (Figure 1). Overall, these labour market indicators have remained fairly stable compared to 2023, when the employment rate of 20-64-year-olds was estimated at 72.1%, the unemployment rate of 15-64-year-olds at 5.6% and the activity rate of 15-64-year-olds at 70.5%.
In the recent coalition agreement, Belgium has set itself the objective of an employment rate of 80% by 2029. In order to achieve this goal, some 550,000 additional persons aged 20-64 need to be employed. Currently, 4,900,000 20-64-year-olds are employed. In 2029, there should be approximately 5,450,000 to achieve the target.
There are still major regional differences: the employment rate is 76.9% in Flanders, 67.1% in Wallonia and 64.1% in Brussels. The ILO unemployment rate is estimated at 3.8% in Flanders, 7.5% in Wallonia and 11.9% in Brussels. The percentage of inactive people in the population aged 15-64 is about the same in Brussels (33.2%) as in Wallonia (33.7%). In Flanders, the inactivity rate of people aged 15-64 is 25.9%.
Evolution of the employment rate of people aged 20-64 over a longer period
If we look at the employment rate over time (Chart 5), we can see that it has shown a slight upward trend since 2000. The percentage amounted to 65.8% in 2000, to 67.6% in 2010 and to 70% in 2020, and continued to rise to 72.3% in 2024 (Chart 5).
Next, we examine how the employment rate of a number of sub-populations is evolving.
Catch-up phenomenon among women
Between 2000 and 2024, the difference between the employment rates of men and women has decreased. In 2024, 76.3% of men aged 20-64 have a job, as do 68.3% of women. In 2000, the employment rate for men and women was 75.5% and 56% respectively. So the difference in employment rates between men and women decreased from 19.5 percentage points in 2000 to 8.0 percentage points in 2024.
Strong increase in employment rate for the over-55s
Whereas the percentage of employed people in the 20-54 age group has remained fairly stable over the past 25 years, we see a strong increase in the employment rate of 55-64-year-olds (Chart 6). In 2000, 26.3% of the over-55s were employed. In 2024, that percentage has risen to 59.4%. The gap with the employment rate of 20-54-year-olds (76.1%) still amounts to 16.7 percentage points.
The employment rate of low-skilled people remains low
When we look at the employment rates over time per level of education, we see a fairly stable evolution (Chart 7). The differences between the employment rates of low-, medium- and highly-skilled people remain large: in 2024, 86.0% of highly-skilled people aged 20-64 have a job, versus 68.1% of medium-skilled people and 47.5% of low-skilled people.
However, we see that more and more employed people have a higher education degree: in 2000, one third of employed people had a higher education degree, while in 2024, half of the working population is highly-skilled. 12% of employed people are low-skilled in 2024, versus 30% in 2000.
Increase in the employment rate of people with a non-EU27 nationality of origin
The employment rates of persons with Belgian, EU27 and non-EU27 nationality of origin are following an upward trend. The gap between persons of Belgian nationality and persons of non-EU27 nationality narrowed slightly, but in 2024 it is still 19 percentage points. In 2024, the employment rate of people with a non-EU27 nationality of origin is 58%, compared to 70.7% for people with an EU27 nationality and 77% for people of Belgian nationality.
One quarter of people with severe long-term limitations due to a disability, disorder or illness are employed
The employment rates of people with severe or moderate long-term limitations in their daily activities at work or outside of work are following a stable to slightly increasing trend. The employment rates vary greatly depending on the degree of long-term limitations: 59% of the population aged 20 to 64 with limited long-term hindrances due to a disability, disorder or illness are employed, compared to 24.9% of people who experience severe long-term limitations. 77.8% of people with no long-term limitations are employed.
Methodological note
The reported figures are estimations based on a sample survey. They are based on an effective sample of about 26,600 persons (respondents) between 15 and 89 years old in the fourth quarter of 2024. This represents about 12,400 respondents in Flanders, 10,800 in Wallonia and 3,400 in Brussels. For the year 2024, this is an effective sample of about 108,400 persons aged 15 to 89: about 53,200 respondents in Flanders, 41,500 in Wallonia and 13,700 in Brussels.
The Labour Force Survey is a continuous survey, which means that the sample is evenly spread over the 52 (reference) weeks of the year. The selected respondents answer a questionnaire mainly related to their activity in the course of a given reference week. The data presented here reflect the averages for the quarter or the year.
The principle of a sample survey implies that the results from that sample are used for an estimate of the values in the entire population (=the population). Because it is an estimate, a certain degree of uncertainty must be taken into account. With a different sample it is possible to reach a slightly different value. This degree of accuracy is expressed as a “confidence interval” around the estimated value. The smaller the interval, the more accurate our statements. The confidence intervals for the employment and unemployment rates in the fourth quarter of 2024 per gender and region are available in annexes 1 and 2. The confidence intervals for the annual employment, unemployment and activity rates per gender and region are available in annexes 3 to 5.
Due to quality issues in the sample in Flemish Brabant, we consider the data for that province for the period 2021-2024 to be insufficiently reliable. The impact on the figures for the Flemish Region and Belgium remains limited and does not exceed the width of the confidence interval. It does not does not change the conclusions that can be drawn.
Definitions
The survey is harmonised at European level. The definitions regarding employment and unemployment that are mentioned (see tab “documents”) are those of the International Labour Office (ILO) to allow international comparison.
The employment rate of people aged 20-64 is the share of persons employed in the total population aged 20 to 64.
The unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 is the share of unemployed people in the labour force (employed + unemployed) aged 15 to 64.
The activity rate of people aged 15-64 is the share of the labour force (employed + unemployed) in the total population aged 15 to 64.
The inactivity rate of people aged 15-64 is the share of non-economically active persons in the total population aged 15 to 64.
The sum of the activity rate and inactivity rate of a given population is 100%.
Low-skilled people are people who have at most a lower secondary education diploma. Medium-skilled people are people who obtained a diploma of upper secondary education but not of higher education. Highly-skilled people obtained a diploma of higher education.
The variable “nationality of origin” takes into account not only one's own current nationality, but also the first registered nationality, as well as the first registered nationality of both parents. Compared to the existing “nationality” and “country of birth” variables, this origin variable succeeds in capturing a larger group of persons of foreign origin. This variable “nationality of origin” was developed by Statbel in 2021 based on the nationality data from the National Register and could be coupled to the Labour Force Survey as of the year 2003.
Annexes
- Quarterly labour market indicators with regard to sex and age group absolute and relative figures (2017-2024 4th quarter)
- Annual labour market indicators according to age and sex - in absolute and relative figures 2024
- Employment and Unemployment rate per province and gender 2000-2024
Annex 1: Confidence intervals for the employment rate of people aged 20-64 year-olds (Q4 2024)
| Estimate | Confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | ||
| Belgium | 72.8% | 72.1% | 73.6% |
| Men | 76.6% | 75.6% | 77.5% |
| Women | 69.1% | 68.1% | 70.1% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 63.8% | 61.5% | 66.0% |
| Flemish Region | 78.2% | 77.3% | 79.2% |
| Walloon Region | 66.3% | 65.0% | 67.6% |
Annex 2: Confidence intervals for the unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 year-olds (Q4 2024)
| Estimate | Confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | ||
| Belgium | 5.9% | 5.5% | 6.4% |
| Men | 6.4% | 5.7% | 7.1% |
| Women | 5.4% | 4.7% | 6.1% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 12.3% | 10.5% | 14.1% |
| Flemish Region | 3.8% | 3.3% | 4.4% |
| Walloon Region | 8.0% | 7.0% | 9.0% |
Annex 3: Confidence intervals for the employment rate of people aged 20-64 year-olds (2024)
| Estimate | Confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | ||
| Belgium | 72.3% | 71.8% | 72.8% |
| Men | 76.3% | 75.7% | 76.9% |
| Women | 68.3% | 67.6% | 69.0% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 64.1% | 62.5% | 65.6% |
| Flemish Region | 76.9% | 76.2% | 77.5% |
| Walloon Region | 67.1% | 66.2% | 68.0% |
Annex 4: Confidence intervals for the unemployment rate of people aged 15-64 year-olds (2024)
| Estimate | Confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | ||
| Belgium | 5.8% | 5.5% | 6.1% |
| Men | 6.2% | 5.8% | 6.6% |
| Women | 5.3% | 4.9% | 5.7% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 11.9% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Flemish Region | 3.8% | 3.5% | 4.1% |
| Walloon Region | 7.5% | 6.9% | 8.1% |
Annex 5: Confidence intervals for the inactivity rate of people aged 20-64 year-olds (2024)
| Estimate | Confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | ||
| Belgium | 70.8% | 70.4% | 71.2% |
| Men | 74.8% | 74.3% | 75.4% |
| Women | 66.8% | 66.2% | 67.4% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 66.8% | 65.6% | 68.1% |
| Flemish Region | 74.1% | 73.6% | 74.7% |
| Walloon Region | 66.3% | 65.5% | 67.0% |