A new survey reveals that one in three Belgians believes their purchasing power has decreased over the past 12 months.
As many as 32% of Belgians believe that their purchasing power has decreased over the last 12 months, compared to 22% in 2024.
Half of the population have needed to tighten their belts, according to the fifth annual barometer published on Monday by Cofidis, a company specialising in consumer credit for individuals.
The survey, conducted online with 1,000 participants at the end of April, showed purchasing power as the second biggest concern (47%), following health (64%), and ahead of armed conflicts (40%), which have gained importance due to the current geopolitical situation.
A third of respondents cite continuous rises in health and housing costs as the main reasons for declining purchasing power.
Over one in five consider their purchasing power weak, while 30% say their income barely covers their monthly needs, and 6% admit they cannot meet their financial obligations.
Half of the respondents describe their purchasing power as “adequate.”
The outlook remains bleak, with two-thirds of Belgians not expecting an improvement in their purchasing power over the next three years.
In response, many have adopted saving strategies, with eight out of ten taking steps to save money this year, and 60% successfully doing so.
Despite the challenging economic climate, three out of five plan to invest in personal projects in 2025, prioritising travel, home renovations, and personal development.
Indeed, 70% of those surveyed intend to go on holiday, even if it means cutting back on other expenses.
