The Flemish employment office, VDAB, has reported an 11% annual increase in job seekers, ending April with a total of 214,239.
They included 108,720 recipients of unemployment benefits, accounting for just over half of total applicants. While this represented a 2% increase compared to April 2023, the number has fallen in recent months.
Additionally, the VDAB recorded 7,896 young people in vocational trainee positions, making up 4% of all job seekers. Their numbers were up by 12% compared to April 2023.
Finally, the figures include 93,845 individuals classified as unemployed professionals. These include people receiving integration income or disability benefits. This group represents 44% of all job seekers in the north of the country.
