East Flanders, located in the northern part of Belgium, stands out as a province with the lowest unemployment rate in 2018. With less than 1 in 50 East Flemish people aged between 25 and 64 being unemployed, the province boasts a strong economy and a high level of employment. This can be attributed to the high level of education in East Flanders, with a significant number of inhabitants holding higher education degrees. In fact, apart from Flemish and Walloon Brabant, no other province in Belgium has as many residents with higher education qualifications.
In terms of gender employment, East Flanders has the highest percentage of working men, while West Flanders leads in terms of working women. Both provinces stand out above the other Flemish provinces in terms of employment rates, forming a leading group in the region. This highlights the overall strong workforce and job market in East Flanders, contributing to its low unemployment rate.
Moving on to Limburg, another province in Belgium, significant progress has been made in recent years in terms of employment rates. Previously considered the weak link in terms of employment, Limburg has narrowed the gap with the best-scoring province to just 3.7 per cent. The province has shown the most progress among all Flemish provinces since the last provincial council elections, indicating a positive trend in terms of job opportunities and economic growth.
Furthermore, the level of education in Limburg has also improved over the years, with an increasing number of residents obtaining higher education degrees. While there is still room for improvement compared to provinces like East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, Limburg’s educational landscape is on an upward trajectory, contributing to its overall economic development.
In Antwerp, another province in Belgium, the employment rates are also commendable. The province has seen a strengthening of the educational level of the active population, leading to fewer unemployed individuals and inactive people. With all indicators pointing towards positive growth, Antwerp remains a key player in Belgium’s economy, contributing to the overall employment landscape in the region.
On the other hand, the Walloon provinces face challenges in terms of unemployment, with the language barrier being a significant factor. In all Flemish provinces, the percentage of benefit-eligible jobseekers is lower than in any Walloon province, highlighting the disparities in employment rates between the regions. Hainaut, in particular, stands out with a significantly higher percentage of jobseekers compared to East Flanders, indicating a need for targeted interventions to address unemployment in the region.
In conclusion, East Flanders, Limburg, Antwerp, and the Walloon provinces each present a unique employment landscape, with varying levels of unemployment and educational attainment. While East Flanders leads in terms of low unemployment rates and high education levels, other provinces like Limburg and Antwerp are making significant progress in improving their employment rates and educational standards. Addressing the disparities between Flemish and Walloon provinces remains a key challenge, requiring targeted efforts to promote economic growth and job opportunities across the region.