Number of vacancies at lowest level since 2018
November 2025 - The Belgian labor market continues to cool down. According to figures from Statbel, the number of job vacancies fell to 163,562 in the second quarter of 2025, the lowest level since 2018. This seems to indicate that the long period of labor shortages is gradually coming to an end.
The vacancy rate – the number of job vacancies in relation to the total number of jobs in companies – fell from 4.09 to 3.91 percent. This means that the demand for personnel is lower than in previous years, when companies were falling over each other to find new employees.
Flanders remains the frontrunner
The decline is visible in all regions, although Flanders remains by far the largest employer. Almost two out of three vacancies are still open there. In the Flemish Region, the number of vacancies fell by more than 4,000, in Wallonia by just over 1,000, and in Brussels by around 1,500.
There are clear differences between sectors. The vacancy rate is falling most sharply in the real estate sector and in transport and storage, while it is still rising slightly in scientific and technical professions. The construction sector continues to score highest, with almost 6.5 percent of positions vacant – a sign that the search for skilled workers is far from over.
Caution prevails
According to Statbel, the decline is a sign that companies are becoming more cautious about hiring. After years of strong growth and high replacement needs, the labor market seems to be gradually stabilizing. Companies are less likely to hire new people, and some vacancies are deliberately left unfilled in order to reduce wage costs.
Nevertheless, the shortage remains noticeable, especially in technical and specialized positions. Employers are still struggling with a shortage of well-trained profiles, despite the decline in the total number of vacancies.
A new phase for the labor market
Although the number of vacancies may be lower than in the peak years, the demand for talent remains high. The shift seems to be more structural: companies are becoming more cautious, digitization is increasing, and some tasks are disappearing or changing in nature.
