Insight into the current state of affairs and developments in the Belgian labour market.
Labour market activity
Labour market activity indicates the size of the active labour supply within the Belgian working population (excluding self-employed persons and entrepreneurs). These are people who are currently actively looking for (other) work. In addition, there is a large group of latent job seekers. They are not actively looking for other work, but are keeping an eye on the labour market.
539.000
Brussel
19,4%
Flanders
7,5%
Wallonië
13,4%
Job changes
This figure shows what proportion of the Belgian working population (excluding the self-employed and entrepreneurs) has found different/new work in the past 12 months. It provides an indication of the dynamics of the labour market. The figures focus primarily on people who have found a job with a new employer. In addition to external mobility, the figure also shows the percentage of internal job changes (people who have “found” another job with the same employer).
761.000
Brussel
22,9%
Flanders
13,4%
Wallonië
14,8%
Sourcing pressure
Sourcing pressure indicates the proportion of the Belgian working population (excluding the self-employed and entrepreneurs) who are approached by recruiters, employers and/or agencies for a new job at least once a quarter. Sourcing pressure is linked to scarcity in the labour market. The more sought-after (scarce) people are, the more often they are approached.
32,3%
Brussel
40,0%
Vlaanderen
31,8%
Wallonië
30,4%
Employed persons
The graph shows the development of the number of employed persons per quarter, for Belgium as a whole and for the three regions. The numbers are presented in thousands.
5,1 mln
BE vs. 2024Q2
2,0%
BR vs. 2024Q2
1,7%
VL vs. 2024Q2
2,6%
WA vs. 2024Q2
0,9%
Unemployment
The unemployed labour force consists of all 15 to 75-year-olds living in Belgium who do not have paid work, but who have recently looked for work and are immediately available for work. The figures have been adjusted for seasonal influences.
5,9%
2024 sep
5,8%
2025 aug
5,8%
Unemployment per quarter by region
The graph shows the development of the unemployment rate per quarter, for Belgium as a whole and for the three regions.
5,9%
Brussel
11,9%
Vlaanderen
3,8%
Wallonië
7,8%
Vacancies
The figures relate to the number of vacancies at the end of the quarter.
163.600
BE vs. 2024Q2
-11%
BR vs. 2024Q2
-10%
VL vs. 2024Q2
-13%
WA vs. 2024Q2
-6%
Vacancy rate
The vacancy rate shows the number of job vacancies per 100 jobs. It is an indicator of tension in the labour market. The higher the number of job vacancies in relation to the number of jobs, the higher the vacancy rate and the greater the tension in the labour market.
3,9
BE vs. 2024Q2
-0,4
BR vs. 2024Q2
-0,4
VL vs. 2024Q2
-0,6
WA vs. 2024Q2
-0,2
Labour shortage
The percentage of entrepreneurs who indicate that a labour shortage is hampering their activities. The percentage is a weighted average of the sectors “industry” (NACE B-E), “construction” (NACE F) and “services” (NACE H-N, excl. K). The figures are weighted based on employment in the underlying sectors.
12,8%
2024Q4
16,3%
2025Q3
13,9%
Temporary employment hours
The graph shows the monthly growth in the number of temporary employment hours. This refers to growth compared to the same month in the previous year. The figures have been adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects.
-4,71%
2024 sep
-4,54%
2025 aug
0,94%
Consumer confidence
Consumer confidence is an indicator that provides information about consumers’ confidence and opinions regarding developments in the Belgian economy and their own financial situation. The more optimistic or pessimistic consumers are, the more the value of consumer confidence will deviate positively or negatively from the zero line. The indicator also reflects expectations regarding the economic situation over the next twelve months.
0
2024 okt
-5
2025 sep
-1
Business confidence
Business confidence is a composite indicator based on the monthly economic surveys conducted by the National Bank of Belgium. Entrepreneurs in industry, construction, trade and services are asked for their opinions and expectations regarding, among other things, production, turnover, employment, prices and stocks. The more optimistic or pessimistic entrepreneurs are, the more the value of business confidence will deviate positively or negatively from the zero line.
-9,1
2024 okt
-12,8
2025 sep
-7,9
Economic growth
The graph shows economic growth (GDP growth) per quarter. It concerns year-on-year growth, i.e. growth compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The forecast is based on the most recent estimate by the Federal Planning Bureau.
The figures on this page provide an up-to-date picture and insight into the most important developments in the Belgian labour market. The information has been compiled from multiple sources. This includes unique data from Intelligence Group sourced from the continuous international labour market survey (International Talent Acquisition Monitor, ITAM). This data mainly relates to the supply side of the labour market and examines the composition, background characteristics, preferences and behaviour of the Belgian working population. This is supplemented with data from (semi-)public sources that focus more on the demand side of the labour market (vacancies) and the (mismatch) between supply and demand in the labour market (scarcity/shortage). In addition, a number of economic and confidence/sentiment indicators provide a picture of the state of the economy and confidence in the Belgian economy and labour market. Where possible and relevant, a regional breakdown has been provided for the three regions: Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.
The indicators on this website are updated periodically. The figures based on the International Labour Market Survey (ITAM) are updated every quarter. The other indicators and models on this page are also updated on a quarterly basis or, where possible, on a monthly basis.
Intelligence Group is an international data & tech company, founded in 2003. Intelligence Group specialises in collecting and analysing European labour market and recruitment data. Would you like to know more about Intelligence Group? Then take a look at the following page.
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