The active population in figures

Note: (e) Estimated data

Working conditions

Legal weekly duration

35, 38 or 39 hours

Retirement age

65

Working contracts

There are several types of employment contract commonly used in Belgium. There are different contracts for manual workers and white-collar workers. In addition, separate contracts exist for domestic workers, student workers, professional sports people and home workers. More info on Angloinfo.

Cost of labor

Minimum wage

1 163 euros

Average wage

Average monthly gross earnings in Belgium is EUR 2,703.

Social contributions

Social security contributions paid by employers: The social security system is financed by contributions from employees and employers and subsidies from the state. The amounts are calculated based on the gross salary (basic salary plus bonuses, benefits in kind an so forth) and are paid to the National Office of Social Security (ONSS/RSZ). Employees contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system. Employers' contributions account for over 34%.
Social security contributions paid by employees: Employees' contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system.

Social partners

Unions

Syndicat Liberal
Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond / Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens -
Nationale Bondsstaat van de Kaders / Confédération Nationale des Cadres -
Algemeen Belgisch Vakverbond / Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique

Unionization rate

60%

Labor regulation bodies

Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue
Federation of Belgian companies