The estimate is made on the basis of a proxy composed of all fully unemployed persons receiving unemployment benefits and registered with unemployment agencies, other unemployed persons who are required to register and unemployed persons seeking independent work who voluntarily register. This unemployment rate is comparable across the various European Community countries. The BNB calculates the unemployment rate, using the methodology established by Eurostat. The rates published are seasonally adjusted and covers all economic sectors. Actual numbers of unemployed persons also are published.
Data refer to the situation as of end of month.
Periodicity Monthly Timeliness Data are released no later than 10 working days after the end of the reference period. The BNB compiles monthly unemployment estimates as a public service. There is no legal basis for this statistical activity. The statistical practice forbids the publication of statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity. Article 33 of the organic charter of the National Bank of Belgium guarantees the confidentiality of the data reported to the National Bank of Belgium under legal or regulatory provisions.