Every municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region recorded an increase in unemployed job seekers last year, according to the latest figures from the Brussels Employment Office, Actiris.
In 2024, a total of 91,628 job seekers were registered, representing a 3% increase compared to 2023, when 88,979 were recorded. Auderghem saw the largest rise at +7.5%, followed by Uccle (+5.6%) and Etterbeek (+5.5%).
By contrast, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (+0.3%), Watermael-Boitsfort (+0.6%), and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (+0.9%) experienced the lowest increases.
The unemployment rate for 2024 stood at 14.6%, up 0.4% from the previous year. Actiris defines the unemployment rate as the share of unemployed individuals within the labour force. The increase, it noted, was partly due to a shrinking demand for labour as the local economy weakened.
Figures reveal that job offers in Brussels dropped by 18.7% compared to 2023, excluding temporary work. The number of bankruptcies also rose sharply, with a 14.5% increase compared to the previous year. Both factors placed additional strain on the job market.
Actiris also pointed to the rising number of young people registering with the office. Many graduates struggled to secure work directly and registered as unemployed, boosting the overall numbers.
Additionally, a change in the validity period for certain registrations—particularly those receiving income support in the “05 category”—helped push totals higher. Without this category, unemployment growth was just 0.7%.
Despite these challenges, Actiris highlighted that unemployment figures are still significantly lower compared to a decade ago. Since 2014, the unemployment rate in Brussels has fallen by 5.5%, while the number of job seekers has decreased by 17%, or nearly 18,700 people.
The picture worsened in 2025, however. Current figures show unemployment in the region has reached 15.1%, with 94,821 job seekers registered by the end of August. This marks a 0.8% decrease compared to the same period last year but still leaves the region facing steep challenges.
Adding to concerns, federal austerity measures will remove unemployment benefits for those out of work longer than two years starting January. In Brussels, this could leave up to 40,000 people without allowances. Between 13,000 and 14,000 are expected to rely on public social welfare centres, putting immense strain on local support systems.
In response, the Brussels government has announced new initiatives to strengthen assistance for long-term job seekers. Measures include more frequent support sessions, comprehensive skills assessments, and tailored action plans. Expanded training courses will target linguistic, professional, and digital skills to help residents improve their employability.
Officials stress that these reforms are essential to cushion the impact of austerity while ensuring Brussels residents are better equipped to navigate a difficult labour market.
