Brussels Youth Struggle to Find Work: 'What Use is a Master's Degree?'

Young people in Brussels are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment, with the number of job seekers under 25 surging by 17% compared to the previous year, according to the latest figures from Actiris. This trend is not isolated to Brussels, as similar patterns are emerging across the country.

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I'm definitely applying for jobs that require fewer qualifications because after a while, you start to get desperate.

Lore, a 24-year-old master's graduate in applied economic sciences, shared her frustrating experience. Since officially seeking a job in late April, she has applied to around 50 positions and received only four interview invitations. "My dream job is in marketing, but I'm open to other sectors. Now I'm just hoping to find anything," she said. "I'm definitely applying for jobs that require fewer qualifications because after a while, you start to get desperate." Lore noted that many friends are in the same situation, feeling overwhelmed by the intense competition.

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The Belgian economy is currently performing poorly, and young people without work experience are usually the most affected, even highly educated ones.

Actiris spokesperson Nora Ed-Daoui explained that several factors contribute to the high number of young job seekers. "The Belgian economy is currently performing poorly, and young people without work experience are usually the most affected, even highly educated ones," she stated. "When companies are cutting costs, the motto is often 'last hired, first fired.'" Furthermore, the number of job vacancies in Brussels has been declining for two years, with a 25% drop between August 2024 and July 2025.

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When companies are cutting costs, the motto is often 'last hired, first fired.'

Rimsha, another 24-year-old, who graduated with a master's in film directing, echoed these sentiments. She has been searching for a job since December, applying to over 50 positions with only two interviews. "Many jobs are temporary replacements or sometimes contracts for less than half-time work," she said, questioning the value of her master's degree in the current market. The number of young people under 25 who found stable employment decreased by 20% compared to last year, according to De Standaard.

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Many jobs are temporary replacements or sometimes contracts for less than half-time work.