Labor market and salary trends in France and Belgium

Economic data from late 2026 indicates evolving compensation trends and professional priorities in France and Belgium. In France, supply chain salaries are projected to rise by 2.1%, with logistics management seeing a 5.8% annual increase. Surveys show that 70% of French executives now rank salary as a top priority, equal to work-life balance, amid concerns over increasing workloads and stagnant purchasing power.

By October 2026, reports highlight a growing emphasis on wage transparency and specialized technical skills. In Belgium, 87% of employers are implementing or planning salary scales, a move that impacts retention as 33% of workers state they would seek new employment if transparency revealed they were underpaid. In the French IT and digital sectors, expertise in Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity is driving pay increases, with 37% of tech recruitment managers reporting they must offer salaries above initial budgets to attract candidates proficient in AI and cloud computing.

Newer data from the Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide projects a 1.4% rise in average French salaries, with the IT and Digital sector leading at 1.9%. This aligns with findings that 40% of recruiters are prepared to exceed initial budgets for specialized talent in data analysis, cybersecurity, and AI.

Furthermore, the 2026 HR Barometer by Forvis Mazars and Comet identifies a disconnect between management and staff. While 65% of managers believe salary is the primary motivator, only 33% of employees agree, with 37% prioritizing personal fulfillment. Discrepancies in engagement perception also exist: 58% of employees feel they exceed expectations, while only 36% of managers recognize such effort. Consequently, over one in four employees is considering leaving their company within two years.