The number of unemployed people receiving benefits in Belgium surged by 6.7% in March, compared with the same period last year, according to the latest figures published by the National Employment Office (Onem).
In March, a total of 295,953 jobseekers were granted benefits, marking an incremental increase of 18,596 individuals from March 2023.
Flanders witnessed a particularly sharp increase of 12.4%, considerably above the increases recorded in Wallonia (+2.9%) and Brussels (+5.1%).
Onem said it remains to be seen if this trend will continue in the coming months, however some indicators suggest this might be the case.
Temporary unemployment remains high, whilst the number of bankruptcies leading to job losses is on the rise. Moreover, business confidence has also taken a hit.
