The number of unemployed people receiving benefits increased by 6.7 percent in March

The number of unemployed people receiving benefits increased by 6.7 percent in March compared to the same month last year. This trend is likely to continue as a result of recent bankruptcies and an increase in temporary unemployment, predicts the National Employment Office (RVA).

The group of compensated unemployed expanded last month by 18,596 people to 295,953, an increase of 6.7 percent compared to March last year. These are unemployed people with benefits who are looking for work. In Flanders the increase was even 12.4 percent, compared to 5.1 percent in Brussels and 2.9 percent in Wallonia. This is evident from the RVA’s monthly report.

For the first time since January 2021, the increase is higher than 5 percent. The NEO expects a further upward trend in the coming weeks, due to the high number of bankruptcies with job losses in recent months – including at the bus manufacturer Van Hool – and the high number of temporary unemployed. This temporary unemployment increases by 60.1 percent compared to last year, when the figures were relatively low.

Furthermore, the RVA reports that long-term unemployment is declining, while short-term unemployment is increasing. In addition, the number of fully unemployed, non-job seekers entitled to benefits has decreased by 28.5 percent. This is due to measures that limit their access to benefits.

In the past year, the share of female unemployed rose much less than the share of male unemployed. Full unemployment rose in all age categories, except for those over 60. In March, the Flemish Region had 108,638 fully unemployed people.