Unemployed population — Unemployment in Belgium
Belgium: Unemployed population — Unemployment was 339.27 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Belgium, 1956–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 339.27 Persons for unemployed population — unemployment in 2025.
That represents a change of up 10.8% on the previous year and down 19.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed population — unemployment in Belgium peaked at 555.25 Persons in 1995 and was at its lowest, 55 Persons, in 1964.
Belgium ranks 20th of 35 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 101 Persons | — |
| 1957 | 83 Persons | -17.8% |
| 1958 | 120 Persons | +44.6% |
| 1959 | 142 Persons | +18.3% |
| 1960 | 117 Persons | -17.6% |
| 1961 | 89 Persons | -23.9% |
| 1962 | 75 Persons | -15.7% |
| 1963 | 62 Persons | -17.3% |
| 1964 | 55 Persons | -11.3% |
| 1965 | 63 Persons | +14.5% |
| 1966 | 67 Persons | +6.3% |
| 1967 | 92 Persons | +37.3% |
| 1968 | 110 Persons | +19.6% |
| 1969 | 88 Persons | -20.0% |
| 1970 | 71 Persons | -19.3% |
| 1971 | 69 Persons | -2.8% |
| 1972 | 88 Persons | +27.5% |
| 1973 | 92 Persons | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 97 Persons | +5.4% |
| 1975 | 175 Persons | +80.4% |
| 1976 | 233 Persons | +33.1% |
| 1977 | 266 Persons | +14.2% |
| 1978 | 290 Persons | +9.0% |
| 1979 | 304 Persons | +4.8% |
| 1980 | 322 Persons | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 416 Persons | +29.2% |
| 1982 | 490 Persons | +17.8% |
| 1983 | 545 Persons | +11.2% |
| 1984 | 546 Persons | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 506 Persons | -7.3% |
| 1986 | 478 Persons | -5.5% |
| 1987 | 466 Persons | -2.5% |
| 1988 | 425 Persons | -8.8% |
| 1989 | 384 Persons | -9.6% |
| 1990 | 365 Persons | -4.9% |
| 1991 | 391 Persons | +7.1% |
| 1992 | 435.8 Persons | +11.5% |
| 1993 | 511.44 Persons | +17.4% |
| 1994 | 554 Persons | +8.3% |
| 1995 | 555.25 Persons | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 544.9 Persons | -1.9% |
| 1997 | 540.56 Persons | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 505.28 Persons | -6.5% |
| 1999 | 375.1 Persons | -25.8% |
| 2000 | 308.5 Persons | -17.8% |
| 2001 | 287.02 Persons | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 330.68 Persons | +15.2% |
| 2003 | 362.35 Persons | +9.6% |
| 2004 | 379.12 Persons | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 390.43 Persons | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 383.23 Persons | -1.8% |
| 2007 | 353 Persons | -7.9% |
| 2008 | 333.38 Persons | -5.6% |
| 2009 | 379.6 Persons | +13.9% |
| 2010 | 405.9 Persons | +6.9% |
| 2011 | 346.7 Persons | -14.6% |
| 2012 | 369 Persons | +6.4% |
| 2013 | 416.82 Persons | +13.0% |
| 2014 | 423.32 Persons | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 421.85 Persons | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 389.65 Persons | -7.6% |
| 2017 | 353.7 Persons | -9.2% |
| 2018 | 300.75 Persons | -15.0% |
| 2019 | 273.65 Persons | -9.0% |
| 2020 | 282.43 Persons | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 324.38 Persons | +14.9% |
| 2022 | 293.73 Persons | -9.4% |
| 2023 | 294.23 Persons | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 306.18 Persons | +4.1% |
| 2025 | 339.27 Persons | +10.8% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 339.27 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 338.16 Persons, 1.0× the median. (30 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 339.27 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 307.41 Persons, 1.1× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 111.5 Persons | 83 Persons | 142 Persons | 4 |
| 1960s | 81.8 Persons | 55 Persons | 117 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 168.5 Persons | 69 Persons | 304 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 457.8 Persons | 322 Persons | 546 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 477.83 Persons | 365 Persons | 555.25 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 350.73 Persons | 287.02 Persons | 390.43 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 370.13 Persons | 273.65 Persons | 423.32 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 306.7 Persons | 282.43 Persons | 339.27 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 unemployed population — unemployment in Belgium?
- Unemployed population — unemployment in Belgium was 339.27 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 555.25 Persons in 1995.
- What is the lowest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 55 Persons in 1964.
- How does Belgium rank for unemployed population — unemployment?
- Belgium ranks 20th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed population — 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 volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployed population — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the 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.