The unemployment rate in Wallonia stood at 14% in August compared with 13.5% in August 2022, according to data published on Monday by job site Forem.
At the end of August, there were 227,001 unemployed jobseekers in Wallonia.
The number of unemployed jobseekers rose by 3.5% this year – an increase of 7,702 people which, for the most part, is due to the "automatic retention in the category of freely registered persons since 1 January 2022."
The numbers of jobseekers has gone up compared to July. The decrease in the number of jobseekers claiming benefits (-2,992 people) is offset by the increase in the number of young people on integration courses, which happens at the same time every year.
Every August, young people who have completed their studies and are starting their work integration placements register with Forem, says the regional employment office.
Compared with August 2022, the number of unemployed benefit claimants is down by 4.3%. In other words, 5,553 fewer people claimed benefits.
