Young Belgians pessimistic about jobless rate

19 December 2005

AMSTERDAM — Only 5 percent of Belgians, aged 20 to 35, expect unemployment to fall in 2006, according to an internet survey.

The survey, conducted by data solutions firm Wegener DM and research agency Bekx&X, indicated that 16 percent of Dutch people expect the jobless figures to decline.

Some 38,000 Belgians and Dutch people — divided into three age groups — took part in the research, which featured questions on money, food, work and free time, relationships and living. Six panel discussions were also held in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Dutch people expect to pay more in 2006 for energy, fuel and healthcare. Belgians, in contrast, expect they will have to dig deeper into their wallets to cover the cost of travel and raising children. Like Dutch people, Belgians also expect to pay more for fuel.

The research found that more Dutch people (84 percent) than Belgians (68 percent) feel that having a life-long partner is important. Yet, less fewer Dutch (37 percent) than Belgians (40 percent) embark on a long-term relationship with a view to eventually getting married.

More than half of the Belgians questioned (58 percent) believe that the number of “conscious” singles is growing. Some 45 percent of the Dutch agree. Pets are the best house mates, according to 49 percent of both groups.

Subject: Dutch news, Belgian news