Belgium sees record number of long-term sick, but signs of stabilization emerge

Belgium has reached a new, sobering milestone: over 576,000 individuals are now classified as long-term sick, a figure that has climbed significantly over the past five years. This stark reality, as reported by De Tijd and De Morgen citing Riziv figures, paints a picture of a persistent challenge within our social security system.

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We zitten op een plateau.

However, beneath the surface of this record number, a glimmer of hope emerges. Professor Lode Godderis of KU Leuven points out that if we exclude the 65-year-olds who are now staying in the system longer due to the increased pension age, the actual rise in long-term sickness among the working population is far more modest. In fact, for those aged 50 and older, the proportion of disabled workers relative to the total workforce is actually decreasing. This suggests a plateauing trend, a crucial distinction from a runaway increase.

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Het is goed dat de stijging van de instroom gestopt is. Maar we zien nog geen forse uitstroom. Dus daar zitten we nog met grote uitdagingen.

The focus is now shifting towards proactive measures. The government's emphasis on "back-to-work" initiatives, championed by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, is beginning to have a subtle impact. Even the increased discussion around the issue encourages treating physicians to be more critical when issuing sick certificates, and prompts employers to engage more actively with their employees' well-being. While the full effect of these measures, largely implemented from January 2026, is yet to be reflected in the statistics, the societal shift towards supporting people back into employment is palpable.

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Dus de maatschappelijke tendens om mensen meer te begeleiden naar werk begin je te zien, maar dat manifesteert zich nog niet in de cijfers. Nu, het gros van de maatregelen is eigenlijk pas in voege sinds 1 januari 2026.