Millennials happy with expat life in Belgium, new study finds

Young expats are extremely satisfied with their life in Belgium and believe that relocating here has improved their career, according to a new study by the thinktank ThinkYoung for BNP Paribas Fortis bank.

The research, focusing on 18- to 28-year-olds living in Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Italy or France found 96% of young expats who work or study in Belgium are satisfied with their life here and more than 80% state that the move has affected their career positively.

"Millenials are the driving force behind the contemporary intra-European mobility, with more and more young expats in Europe seeking new academic and professional experiences elsewhere," says Salvatore Orlando, head of expatriates at BNP Paribas Fortis.

Among students, the most common reason (53%) for leaving their home country is that there was an opportunity abroad provided by their school. 39% said they wanted to experience another culture, 39% said they wanted to learn another language and 37% said the move to Belgium was in order to improve their CV to maximise their career opportunities.

For young professionals, more than 80% moved to Belgium because of career opportunities and 50% moved for personal development. Less than 10% did it for financial reasons.

Andrea Gerosa, founder of ThinkYoung agrees: "It's a meaningful move, driven not by desire to have fun but the willingness to learn more, improve skills and enhance career opportunities."

Maybe they didn't come for fun - but 63% of students and 43% of young professionals state that they have a better social life in Belgium.

Among students, 60% praise the quality of the Belgian education and 50% claim to have a better quality of life here. Among young professionals, 82% have been able to advance their careers as a result of the move, 42% have bigger personal spending and disposable income, 36% say their quality of life has improved and 26% tout affordable living costs and 17% an increase in financial savings.

The findings are based on a study of 6,349 young expatriates in seven European countries.

Photo courtesy ThinkYoung