Unemployment is at lowest rate in 17 years

The unemployment level in Belgium is the lowest it has been in 17 years, according to the federal employment agency Onem. The agency has released its annual report for 2017.

The total number of job-seekers who received unemployment benefits in 2017 – an average of 373,701 – decreased by 5.4% on 2016. “Thanks to our job creation policies and improved economy, the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since the year 2000,” said federal labour minister Kris Peeters.

The figures for temporary layoffs show an even more remarkable decrease; they are at the lowest rate since 1946. “This reduction had meant that Onem has had to pay out much less in benefits,” said Peeters. “Over the last four years, it has amounted to €2.1 billion less in benefits paid.”