Belgian Government's Budget Cuts Target Social Security Savings

The De Wever federal government in Belgium plans to achieve nearly half of its projected €32 billion net savings by tightening social security spending. Measures include freezing the "well‑being" allowance (about €8.4 bn), limiting unemployment benefits (€8.3 bn), stricter rules for disability benefits (€5.4 bn), pension reforms (€5.4 bn) and cuts in health‑care spending (€2.8 bn). The savings are meant to reduce the public‑sector deficit, yet the Athéna think‑tank warns that optimistic revenue assumptions and multiplier effects could leave the deficit far larger than expected.

While inflation has eased to about 3.4 %, price levels remain elevated and Belgian households continue to feel pressure from higher living costs. Demographic ageing further strains the pension and health‑care systems, increasing the fiscal burden on a shrinking working‑age population.

The analysis, reported by L’Echo, highlights the tension between fiscal consolidation and preserving social protection for families already strained by inflation.