Monthly unemployment levels in Belgium
Belgium: Monthly unemployment levels was 339.17 Persons in 2025. ▼ Falling
Monthly unemployment levels in Belgium, 1983–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for monthly unemployment levels in Belgium is 339.17 Persons, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 10.8% on the previous year and down 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, monthly unemployment levels in Belgium peaked at 430.42 Persons in 2015 and was at its lowest, 255.33 Persons, in 1990.
Belgium ranks 17th of 32 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 43 years of available data.
Monthly unemployment levels in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 412.25 Persons | — |
| 1984 | 420.25 Persons | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 395.5 Persons | -5.9% |
| 1986 | 392.08 Persons | -0.9% |
| 1987 | 378.67 Persons | -3.4% |
| 1988 | 338.67 Persons | -10.6% |
| 1989 | 285.67 Persons | -15.6% |
| 1990 | 255.33 Persons | -10.6% |
| 1991 | 256.33 Persons | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 287.08 Persons | +12.0% |
| 1993 | 354 Persons | +23.3% |
| 1994 | 406.42 Persons | +14.8% |
| 1995 | 406.75 Persons | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 400.75 Persons | -1.5% |
| 1997 | 390.17 Persons | -2.6% |
| 1998 | 399.67 Persons | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 367.5 Persons | -8.0% |
| 2000 | 301.92 Persons | -17.8% |
| 2001 | 285.75 Persons | -5.4% |
| 2002 | 330.58 Persons | +15.7% |
| 2003 | 362.25 Persons | +9.6% |
| 2004 | 379.17 Persons | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 390.42 Persons | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 383.33 Persons | -1.8% |
| 2007 | 352.92 Persons | -7.9% |
| 2008 | 333.33 Persons | -5.5% |
| 2009 | 383.17 Persons | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 409.92 Persons | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 350.08 Persons | -14.6% |
| 2012 | 373.83 Persons | +6.8% |
| 2013 | 423.08 Persons | +13.2% |
| 2014 | 429.67 Persons | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 430.42 Persons | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 389.58 Persons | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 353.75 Persons | -9.2% |
| 2018 | 300.75 Persons | -15.0% |
| 2019 | 273.58 Persons | -9.0% |
| 2020 | 282.42 Persons | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 324.33 Persons | +14.8% |
| 2022 | 293.58 Persons | -9.5% |
| 2023 | 294.17 Persons | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 306.17 Persons | +4.1% |
| 2025 | 339.17 Persons | +10.8% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 339.17 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 336.92 Persons, 1.0× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 339.17 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 277.58 Persons, 1.2× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 374.73 Persons | 285.67 Persons | 420.25 Persons | 7 |
| 1990s | 352.4 Persons | 255.33 Persons | 406.75 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 350.28 Persons | 285.75 Persons | 390.42 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 373.47 Persons | 273.58 Persons | 430.42 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 306.64 Persons | 282.42 Persons | 339.17 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 monthly unemployment levels in Belgium?
- Monthly unemployment levels in Belgium was 339.17 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest monthly unemployment levels recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 430.42 Persons in 2015.
- What is the lowest monthly unemployment levels recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 255.33 Persons in 1990.
- How does Belgium rank for monthly unemployment levels?
- Belgium ranks 17th out of 32 countries with data for 2025.
- Is monthly unemployment levels rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.2%. 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 Monthly unemployment levels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the monthly unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.