Unemployment (i41)

Definition: the unemployment rate refers to the ratio between the number of unemployed and the labour force, expressed as a percentage. The unemployment data used for this indicator are drawn from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The survey data were obtained from direct interviews to determine if a person is unemployed. This is the case if the person is not working, has actively been looking for a job in the last four weeks and is available within two weeks to possibly start working. The labour force includes all persons in from 15 years who are available in the labour market, i.e. those who have paid work and those who do not but are looking for it. The unemployment data presented here refer to the population aged 15 to 64. This is different for the data on long-term unemployment: here the age group 20-64 years applies. Statistics Belgium organises this EU-harmonised survey in Belgium and makes the results available, in particular to Eurostat. The survey methodology was reviewed in 2017. Comparison of the 2017 data with previous years should be done with caution. Due to, among other things, changes in the definition of unemployment following a new European framework regulation, the data from 2021 onwards cannot be directly compared with those of 2020. From now on, persons who are temporarily unemployed for more than three months will no longer be counted as employed but as unemployed or inactive, depending on the answers to the questions on job search and availability.