In Belgium, 72.3 % of people aged 20 to 65 have a job. This is an average, but there are notable differences between regions and provinces. The province of Hainaut recorded in 2024 a employment rate of 64.3 %, an increase of no less than 12 % compared to 2004 and 11.63 % compared to 2014.
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“It is a question of a provisional peak of years of prudent progression, which we generally observe in the Walloon Region, with a employment rate of 67.1 % in 2024 as temporary peak. In the last 10 to 20 years, we therefore especially observe a positive evolution of the employment rate in general”we underline on the side of Aceta.
“The employment rate reflects the number of people who have a job, without distinction between full -time work and part -time work, for example. The number of people who have or have no job is relevant information”adds Alain Barbier, director at Acerta for the province of Hainaut. “”After all, a job is essential for financial independence and mental well-being. Employment promotes social interaction and gives people the opportunity to flourish. In addition, a work that has meaning brings satisfaction. “
And to continue: “In addition to the individual aspect, there is a general interest: people who work make a concrete financial contribution to the prosperity of our country. A higher employment rate therefore benefits everyone. At least, when it comes to lasting jobs, that is to say with a reasonable salary, achievable challenges, a good professional life-life balance and a constructive atmosphere. This allows us to make our prosperity lasting. “
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The employment rate of over 55 and non-Belgians increases, but remains low
Acerta has also studied certain population segments separately. “”We deduce a prudent but supported positive development among those over 55. For the province of Hainaut, twice as (101.21 %) of people over 55 are working (still) compared to 20 years ago. Even if a employment rate of 49.7 % in 2024 is a provisional peak, there is room for growth. ” The employment rate in the non-Belgian group is slightly higher and reached for the moment 56.9 % in 2024.
The gender gap is slightly widening
The employment rate is generally higher in men than in women: in Hainaut, 68.8 % of men and 59.8 % of women were occupied in 2024. “This last figure in particular reveals significant growth margin. Even if the employment rate among women is today more than 20 % higher than it was 20 years ago (49.1 % in 2004) and the gap between men and women have gradually reduced, we still see a difference in 9 percentage points in 2024. This is a slight increase. Vigilance is therefore in order.“
In addition, the analysis shows the impact of the level of training on the employment rate. People who have studied longer are much more likely to have a job. The differences are striking: in Hainaut, some 84.4 % of the most educated people work, against only half (42 %) for the least educated people.
“This is a national problem. About 21 % of Belgians between 25 and 64 do not work. In Wallonia, this figure even reaches 26 %”
For Alain Barbier, “It is quite logical that a person who devotes years to training later used it as part of his work. A study choice is part of a broader vision. The link between training and employment has always existed in both directions. Eurostat figures once again confirm the existence of a direct link between training and work and once again highlight the major role of quality education. It is in the general interest to leave no one aside. “
An unemployment rate of 8.5 % in Hainaut
Having a good overview of the job also involves mapping the unemployment rate. “People who have (temporarily) no work fall under the category of unemployed. Eurostat figures report an unemployment rate of 5.4 % for Belgium: for 100 people available for the job market, 5.4 have no job. The Hainaut province exceeds the national average, with an unemployment rate of 8.5 %, but it is the provisional result of a downward trend: in 2014, still displayed an unemployment rate of 14.2 %.
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“Employers who have positions to provide can only draw in a few viviers: young graduates, unemployed and inactive people, or they can set their sights on people occupied elsewhere,” analyzes Alain Barbier. “A low unemployment rate is already indicative of a job market in shortage. Other indicators also confirm this shortage. Let us take the vacancy rate: in the last quarter of 2024, Belgium had an average of 4.1 vacancies per 100 jobs – in comparison, the EU records an average of 2.3 vacant posts per 100 jobs, so that the proportion of jobs Lower than with us.
Regarding the limitation of unemployment over time, Eurostat figures offer some analytical possibilities. “”They teach us that the share of long -term unemployed (more than 12 months of unemployment) is certainly at its lowest level for 20 years, but also that it is always a considerable part. In the Walloon Region, there is a question of 45.9 %, and in Hainaut of 51.1 %. Some of these unemployed could be affected by the limitation in the time of unemployment. We will closely follow the exact impact on Eurostat figures for 2025. “
