Persons in long-term: % of total unemployment quarterly in Belgium
Belgium: Persons in long-term: % of total unemployment quarterly was 31.1 in 2026. ▼ Falling
Latest (2026)
31.1
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
22nd
of 47 countries
All-time high
62.6
in 1998
All-time low
31.1
in 2026
Years of data
29
1998–2026
Persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total in Belgium, 1998–2026
Source: Eurostat.
Analysis
In 2026, persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total in Belgium stood at 31.1. That is the lowest value across all 29 years on record.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 39.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total in Belgium peaked at 62.6 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 31.1, in 2026.
Belgium ranks 22nd of 47 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 29 years of available data.
Persons in long-term: % of total unemployment quarterly in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 62.6 | — |
| 1999 | 57.4 | -8.3% |
| 2000 | 51.5 | -10.3% |
| 2001 | 46.8 | -9.1% |
| 2002 | 47.4 | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 45.9 | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 50.8 | +10.7% |
| 2005 | 51.2 | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 49 | -4.3% |
| 2007 | 52.1 | +6.3% |
| 2008 | 44.4 | -14.8% |
| 2009 | 43.3 | -2.5% |
| 2010 | 49.4 | +14.1% |
| 2011 | 48.1 | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 46.3 | -3.7% |
| 2013 | 47 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 52.4 | +11.5% |
| 2015 | 51.5 | -1.7% |
| 2016 | 51.4 | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 49.7 | -3.3% |
| 2018 | 47.5 | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 42.5 | -10.5% |
| 2020 | 46.4 | +9.2% |
| 2021 | 42.6 | -8.2% |
| 2022 | 41.5 | -2.6% |
| 2023 | 39.3 | -5.3% |
| 2024 | 35 | -10.9% |
| 2025 | 31.6 | -9.7% |
| 2026 | 31.1 | -1.6% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 31.1 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 30.2, 1.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 31.1 is above the median for high income countries, which is 28.5, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 60 | 57.4 | 62.6 | 2 |
| 2000s | 48.24 | 43.3 | 52.1 | 10 |
| 2010s | 48.58 | 42.5 | 52.4 | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.21 | 31.1 | 46.4 | 7 |
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 persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total in Belgium?
- Persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total in Belgium was 31.1 in 2026, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 62.6 in 1998.
- What is the lowest persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.1 in 2026.
- How does Belgium rank for persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total?
- Belgium ranks 22nd out of 47 countries with data for 2026.
- Is persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 39.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Persons in long-term unemployment (12 months or more) - % of total unemployment - quarterly data. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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