Employment among people from migrant backgrounds is rising at a faster rate than among any other population group in Belgium.
"People from migrant backgrounds" encompasses those who have or have had a non-EU nationality or who have at least one parent with a non-EU nationality. Figures from Belgium's statistics office Statbel show that this category now has an employment rate of 57.4% – a record high. This represents an 8% increase in ten years, whilst in the same period Belgium's overall employment rate has risen 5.6% and the EU's 6.4%.
Across Belgium's three regions Flanders enjoys the highest rate of employment (77%); among the region's non-EU population, employment is at 66%. Brussels has an employment rate of 66.7%; among non-EU nationals this is 55%. Wallonia is the lowest on both counts with an employment rate of 65% overall and 50.6% for people from a migrant background.
More opportunities
Despite employment gains made by migrants, their rate of employment remains lower than the national average. However, Statbel's findings indicate that this trend might be changing. Labour economist at the University of Ghent Stijn Baert told l'Echo that discrimination is becoming less of an obstacle during the hiring process due to a strong demand for workers.
"Inactivity and unemployment among people with a migrant background are structurally higher but thanks to strong demand there are more opportunities for them," he said. "This form of employment discrimination is logically weaker when the labour market is tight. The more difficult it is to fill vacancies, the less selective employers are."
