finance
Brussels Employers Confront Shrinking Opportunities and Rising Joblessness
Employee numbers fell for the first time in more than a decade while unemployment climbed to its highest point since 2021.
How we reported this
The Brussels labour market deteriorated in 2025 as employee jobs fell for four straight quarters to 352,200 persons, a net loss of 4,500 positions in a single year. The decline marked the first such streak in over a decade and coincided with a sharp drop in new openings. By February 2026 the unemployment rate in the Brussels-Capital Region stood at 15.3 to 15.4 percent, the highest reading since August 2021.
The figures matter because they reflect a contraction that has already reduced the number of registered job seekers to between 96,113 and 97,859, an increase of 6.6 percent over the prior year. Employers report fewer vacancies and tighter hiring budgets, leaving qualified candidates competing for fewer roles across consulting, technology, finance and international organisations.
Actiris data shows steep fall in listings
Job offers registered with Actiris dropped 23 percent in 2025 compared with 2024. Vacancies posted in the first half of the year fell 9.1 percent, a decline officials link to sluggish growth and a 76 percent rise in bankruptcies. Temporary employment has returned to levels last seen during the 2021 pandemic, while long-term unemployment, defined as spells exceeding two years, rose 7.5 percent in early 2026 and now affects 44,201 people.
Despite a highly qualified local talent pool, hiring managers say availability remains limited. They increasingly seek candidates who can demonstrate cross-sector experience and the ability to operate under multi-stakeholder pressure.
Market signals point to continued caution
The combination of fewer postings and longer spells without work has narrowed pathways for both new entrants and those re-entering the workforce. Organisations such as Hub.brussels continue to run pop-up testing centres that have helped 18 of 26 projects reach permanent openings, yet these programmes operate against the wider backdrop of reduced private-sector demand.
Professionals seeking roles in the coming months will need to emphasise adaptability across sectors and concrete examples of delivering results under competing demands. Those already in post are advised to maintain networks within Actiris and sector associations while monitoring quarterly vacancy releases for any rebound in listings.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.