Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment … distinction in Belgium
Belgium: Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment … distinction was 16.2 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Belgium, 1983–2025
Source: Eurostat.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Belgium stood at 16.2. That is the lowest value across all 43 years on record.
The figure is down 13.4% on the previous year and down 67.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Belgium peaked at 77.1 in 1992 and was at its lowest, 16.2, in 2023.
That places Belgium 26th out of 35 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 43 years of available data.
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment … distinction in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 58.7 | — |
| 1984 | 51.3 | -12.6% |
| 1985 | 61.9 | +20.7% |
| 1986 | 67.8 | +9.5% |
| 1987 | 73.6 | +8.6% |
| 1988 | 71.8 | -2.4% |
| 1989 | 71.2 | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 45.1 | -36.7% |
| 1991 | 70.1 | +55.4% |
| 1992 | 77.1 | +10.0% |
| 1993 | 72.2 | -6.4% |
| 1994 | 76.5 | +6.0% |
| 1995 | 73.7 | -3.7% |
| 1996 | 76.5 | +3.8% |
| 1997 | 71.5 | -6.5% |
| 1998 | 71.8 | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 30.1 | -58.1% |
| 2000 | 37.3 | +23.9% |
| 2001 | 56.5 | +51.5% |
| 2002 | 33.2 | -41.2% |
| 2003 | 69.2 | +108.4% |
| 2004 | 66.5 | -3.9% |
| 2005 | 55.9 | -15.9% |
| 2006 | 54 | -3.4% |
| 2007 | 49.3 | -8.7% |
| 2008 | 49.3 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 54.8 | +11.2% |
| 2010 | 49.9 | -8.9% |
| 2011 | 46.3 | -7.2% |
| 2012 | 52.1 | +12.5% |
| 2013 | 42.7 | -18.0% |
| 2014 | 54.6 | +27.9% |
| 2015 | 49.9 | -8.6% |
| 2016 | 48.6 | -2.6% |
| 2017 | 53.2 | +9.5% |
| 2018 | 44.3 | -16.7% |
| 2019 | 28 | -36.8% |
| 2020 | 46.7 | +66.8% |
| 2021 | 20.9 | -55.2% |
| 2022 | 16.5 | -21.1% |
| 2023 | 16.2 | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 18.7 | +15.4% |
| 2025 | 16.2 | -13.4% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 16.2 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 26.35, 61% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 16.2 is below the median for high income countries, which is 25.7, 63% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment … distinction in Belgium changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +108.4% | 33.2 | 69.2 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 65.19 | 51.3 | 73.6 | 7 |
| 1990s | 66.46 | 30.1 | 77.1 | 10 |
| 2000s | 52.6 | 33.2 | 69.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.96 | 28 | 54.6 | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.53 | 16.2 | 46.7 | 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 unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Belgium?
- Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Belgium was 16.2 in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 77.1 in 1992.
- What is the lowest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.2 in 2023.
- How does Belgium rank for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction?
- Belgium ranks 26th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.5%. 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 Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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