Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium
Belgium: Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) was 74.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium is 74.8%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium peaked at 74.9% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 71.2%, in 1990.
Belgium ranks 120th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 71.2% | — |
| 1991 | 71.8% | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 71.7% | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 71.3% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 72.1% | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 72.4% | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 72.4% | -0.0% |
| 1997 | 72.3% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 72.5% | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 73.0% | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 73.7% | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 72.6% | -1.6% |
| 2002 | 72.6% | -0.0% |
| 2003 | 72.5% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 72.7% | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 73.9% | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 73.4% | -0.7% |
| 2007 | 73.7% | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 73.3% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 72.9% | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 73.5% | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 72.3% | -1.6% |
| 2012 | 72.5% | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 72.7% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 72.5% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 72.2% | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 72.3% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 72.7% | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 72.8% | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 73.1% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 72.6% | -0.7% |
| 2021 | 73.7% | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 74.2% | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 74.4% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 74.9% | +0.6% |
| 2025 | 74.8% | -0.1% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 74.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 80.2%, 93% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 74.8% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 79.6%, 94% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 72.1% | 71.2% | 73.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 73.1% | 72.5% | 73.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 72.6% | 72.2% | 73.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 74.1% | 72.6% | 74.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More work & labour data for Belgium
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1676 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1614 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.1395 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 12,349 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 139 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 5,498 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,563 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 11,061 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium?
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Belgium was 74.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 74.9% in 2024.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 71.2% in 1990.
- How does Belgium rank for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64)?
- Belgium ranks 120th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.