Share of Belgians at risk of poverty rises slightly, risk remains lowest in Flanders

The share of Belgians who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased slightly in 2021 compared to 2020. The percentage of people at risk varies greatly between regions, ranging from 13,1 percent in Flanders to 34,9 percent in Brussels. This is apparent from data published on Monday by Statbel, the Belgian statistical office.

The European survey on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) shows that last year 13,1 percent of the Belgian population was considered a risk group for monetary poverty, because they belonged to a household with a low income. In addition, 11,9 percent lived in a household with high unemployment and 6,3 percent could not satisfy some basic needs (severe material deprivation). 2,2 percent of the population, or some 246.000 Belgians, belonged to all three risk groups.

People in at least one of the above-mentioned situations are considered a risk group for poverty or social exclusion. For Belgium in its entirety, 19,3% of the population (2.199.000 Belgians) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2021, a very slight increase compared to 2020 when the figure was 18,9% (2.152.000 Belgians).

19,3% of the population were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2021, a very slight increase compared to 2020 when the figure was 18,9%

After peaks in 2012 (21,6 percent) and 2014 (21,2 percent), the share decreased slightly but steadily until 2020. In 2019, at 19,5 percent, the share dropped below one fifth for the first time since the start of EU-SILC surveys in 2003.

There are large differences between the regions. In Brussels, the risk of poverty and social exclusion is highest, with 34,9 percent in 2021 (33,3 percent in 2020), followed by Wallonia with 25,4 percent (24,6 percent in 2020) and Flanders with 13,1 percent (13 percent in 2020).

On a provincial level, the risk of poverty or social exclusion is highest in Hainaut (29,2 percent) and lowest in West Flanders (10,2 percent).

Photo © BELGA: Illustration picture shows social housing in the Malen neighbourhood of Ghent