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The labor market in Belgium, 2000–2016

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Van der Linden

    (IRES, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium)

  • Vincent Bodart

    (IRES, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium)

  • Muriel Dejemeppe

    (IRES, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium)

Abstract

Might the Belgian labor market be included in the gallery of “Belgian surrealism”? At first sight, Belgium with its 11 million inhabitants has withstood the Great Recession and the euro area debt crisis relatively well, quickly getting back on track toward growth and employment, apparently without rising earnings inequality. But if one digs a little deeper, Belgium appears to be a strongly segmented labor market, first and foremost in an astounding north–south regional (linguistic) dimension. This extreme heterogeneity, along with several demographic challenges, should serve as a warning for the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Van der Linden & Vincent Bodart & Muriel Dejemeppe, 2018. "The labor market in Belgium, 2000–2016," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 428-428, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2018:n:428
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cockx, Bart, 2013. "Youth Unemployment in Belgium: Diagnosis and Key Remedies," IZA Policy Papers 66, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Batyra, Anna & Sneessens, Henri R., 2010. "Selective reductions in labor taxation: Labor market adjustments and macroeconomic performance," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 531-543, July.
    3. Muriel Dejemeppe, 2005. "A Complete Decomposition of Unemployment Dynamics using Longitudinal Grouped Duration Data," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 67(1), pages 47-70, February.
    4. Muriel Dejemeppe & Catherine Smith & Bruno der Linden, 2015. "Did the Intergenerational Solidarity Pact increase the employment rate of older workers in Belgium? A macro-econometric evaluation," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 4(1), pages 1-23, December.
    5. J. De Mulder & C. Duprez, 2015. "Has the reorganisation of global production radically changed demand for labour?," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue iii, pages 67-81, December.
    6. Catherine SMITH, 2014. "Did the Intergenerational Solidarity Pact increase the employment rate of the elderly in Belgium? A macro-econometric evaluation," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2014009, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor market; segmentation; earnings; Belgium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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