Majority in Belgium Think Unemployed Will Turn to Social Assistance
A recent Grand Baromètre survey reveals widespread pessimism over the future of those who lose unemployment benefits, with most Belgians expecting them to seek help from public social centers.
A new Grand Baromètre poll highlights a prevailing sense of pessimism in Belgium regarding the fate of people removed from unemployment benefits. The survey found that 54% of respondents believe most of those who are excluded from unemployment will turn to Public Social Welfare Centers (CPAS) for assistance. This sentiment appears consistent across all regions, including Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels.
The results show that this outlook is not confined to a specific age group, suggesting that concern about the future job prospects for the unemployed is widespread. Only political leanings create notable differences, with voters supporting N-VA, MR, and Les Engagés holding a slightly more optimistic view for the future, while those on the left, such as PTB/PVDA, PS, Ecolo-Groen, and Vooruit supporters, are more likely to think CPAS applications will rise.
The findings reflect ongoing societal worries in Belgium about how those cut off from unemployment support will fare. The broad agreement across demographic and regional lines indicates that anxiety about unemployment and social protection remains a pressing national issue.
