Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Belgium
Belgium: Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 339,300 Persons in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Belgium, 1999–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Belgium is 339,300 Persons, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.8% on the previous year and down 19.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Belgium peaked at 423,300 Persons in 2014 and was at its lowest, 265,900 Persons, in 2001.
Belgium ranks 23rd of 46 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 27 years of available data.
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 377,500 Persons | — |
| 2000 | 290,500 Persons | -23.0% |
| 2001 | 265,900 Persons | -8.5% |
| 2002 | 300,800 Persons | +13.1% |
| 2003 | 337,300 Persons | +12.1% |
| 2004 | 329,400 Persons | -2.3% |
| 2005 | 390,400 Persons | +18.5% |
| 2006 | 383,200 Persons | -1.8% |
| 2007 | 353,000 Persons | -7.9% |
| 2008 | 333,400 Persons | -5.6% |
| 2009 | 379,600 Persons | +13.9% |
| 2010 | 405,900 Persons | +6.9% |
| 2011 | 346,700 Persons | -14.6% |
| 2012 | 369,000 Persons | +6.4% |
| 2013 | 416,800 Persons | +13.0% |
| 2014 | 423,300 Persons | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 421,800 Persons | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 389,600 Persons | -7.6% |
| 2017 | 353,700 Persons | -9.2% |
| 2018 | 300,700 Persons | -15.0% |
| 2019 | 273,700 Persons | -9.0% |
| 2020 | 282,400 Persons | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 324,400 Persons | +14.9% |
| 2022 | 293,700 Persons | -9.5% |
| 2023 | 294,200 Persons | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 306,200 Persons | +4.1% |
| 2025 | 339,300 Persons | +10.8% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 339,300 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 273,650 Persons, 1.2× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 339,300 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 269,500 Persons, 1.3× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 377,500 Persons | 377,500 Persons | 377,500 Persons | 1 |
| 2000s | 336,350 Persons | 265,900 Persons | 390,400 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 370,120 Persons | 273,700 Persons | 423,300 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 306,700 Persons | 282,400 Persons | 339,300 Persons | 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 labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Belgium?
- Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Belgium was 339,300 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 423,300 Persons in 2014.
- What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 265,900 Persons in 2001.
- How does Belgium rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
- Belgium ranks 23rd out of 46 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 27 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3). Data definition and source The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites. Definition of regions Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid (pdf) and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table (xlsx). Cite this dataset OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database http://oe.cd/geostats. Further information OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance For questions and/or comments, please email RegionStat@oecd.org.