Brussels’ youth unemployment drops below 30%

According to the latest figures, youth unemployment in Belgium’s capital dipped below the 30% mark in December. A positive sign, but small, considering Brussels continues to hold among Europe’s highest youth unemployment rates at 29.4%. Although the news may seem inconsequential to those 25 and under searching for work, it is a sign of improvement.

Translated into real numbers, the decline counts for 1,000 fewer young people without jobs. However, the number is small compared to the remaining 14,032 youth currently without work in Brussels.

In comparison to total unemployment numbers in Europe’s capital city, the percentage stands at 20.4%, or 109,276 without a job.

However, more alarming are the long-term overall unemployment figures for those without work for more than two years, which rose by 3.1% in the last calendar year.