In six of Brussels' 19 municipalities, the average income was lower than the national average in 2020. In Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, where people's income is the lowest of all municipalities in Belgium, the per capita income is 46.3% lower than the national average.
During the pandemic-driven year of 2020, the average net taxable income of people living in Belgium was €19,671. While people living in Flanders earn the highest income, where in some places it is 50% higher than the national average, the average income of many of those living in Brussels is much lower than that of others living in the country, Statbel figures showed.
"Flemish Brabant remains the province with the highest average income per inhabitant in 2020, followed by Walloon Brabant and East Flanders. At the other end of the spectrum, mainly Brussels municipalities can be found," a statement from Statbel read. "A Brussels resident has to make do with 21.5% less on an annual basis."
Between 2015 and 2020, the average per capita income in Flanders (the region with the highest average income) increased from €18,970 to €21,078, while in Brussels, this increase went from €13,831 to €15,444.
46.3% lower than the national average
In Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, people's average taxable income is €10,564, making it the Belgian municipality with the lowest income. "An average resident of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode has an income 46.3% lower than the national average," Statbel noted.
Alongside Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Anderlecht, Schaerbeek and Koekelberg were among the Belgian municipalities where the average income per inhabitant is at least 30% below the national average.
While in the City of Brussels, the average wage is 29.8% below national average.
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At the municipal level, Sint-Martens-Latem in East Flanders again takes the crown as the municipality with the highest average income per inhabitant, at 56.9% above the Belgian average.
People's net taxable income is calculated from personal income tax returns and includes taxable income from occupation, replacement income, pensions and dividends, among other things.
Non-taxable income (such as child allowance and living wage) is not part of taxable income.
