Flanders sees over 210,000 unemployed at year-end, with hurdles to re-entering workforce
Flanders had more than 210,000 unemployed people at the end of December, with more than half facing significant challenges in re-entering the labour market within six months, according to figures from employment agency VDAB.
Unemployment rose by 2 per cent compared to the previous year, to 6.6 per cent. In November and December alone, an additional 2,500 people were added to the ranks of the unemployed.
Among those unemployed, 52 per cent were receiving unemployment benefits, while 41 per cent were categorised as former non-active individuals, including those on living wages, sickness benefits, or without any benefits.
The VDAB assessed job seekers' employment prospects, indicating that 57 per cent - or 119,718 people - have a low likelihood of finding work within six months. These people face what the VDAB describes as a "long distance to the labour market", often due to barriers such as health or well-being issues that must be resolved before they can actively pursue employment.
16 per cent of job seekers have a "short distance to work", with a better than 50 per cent chance of securing employment within six months, while 27 per cent fall into the "average distance" category, with moderate prospects.
#FlandersNewsService | A job fair in Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO TIJS VANDERSTAPPEN
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