Nearly 140,000 Flemish people have a second job; more than half are entrepreneurs

One in 20 working Flemish people has a second job in addition to their professional main activity. The numbers come from a response from Flemish minister of Work Jo Brouns (CD&V) to Flemish MP Axel Ronse (N-VA). 

"In 2019, before the corona crisis, 137,900 Flemish people between 20 and 64 years old had a second activity next to their job. In 2021 that number increased to 139,300 people, which also comes down to about 4.8% of the working population with a place of residence," said Ronse. The Flemish MP considers "there is no significant change to be noticed in Flanders" before and after the corona crisis when it comes to people with a second job.

Entrepreneurs

Within the group with a second job, the share of self-employed activities decreased slightly: 60.5% of the second jobs performed are self-employed in 2021, compared to 63.8% in 2019. On the other hand, in 2021 Flanders did have a record number of new sole traders and companies.

“Flanders remains the engine of the economy in our country. The Flemish people also continues to do business. This is again evident from the above figures. That is why we must continue on the path we have chosen and remove all barriers so that anyone who wants to do business can do business”, remarks Ronse.

Per education level, the largest percentage of people with a second job were highly skilled: 5.3% of the working high-skilled has a second job, compared to 4.5% of the medium-skilled and 3.6% of the low-skilled. In addition, there are still more men (56%) who have a second job than women (44%).

(VIV)

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© BELGA PHOTO (THIERRY ROGE) ​ King Philippe of Belgium (2R) meets with entrepreneurs during the launch of the Happy Independent's Year campaign in Brussels in 2018, on the 50th anniversary of the social status for self-employed entrepreneurs