According to a study released on Wednesday by the Institute for Labour Economics in Berlin, Belgium attracts relatively few highly qualified immigrants. The share of highly qualified immigrants to Belgium is relatively low (24% of the total immigrant population) compared to many other OECD countries. This number hasn’t increased between 2001 and 2011.
According to the study, the countries which attract the highest share of qualified immigrants are Canada (55%), Great Britain (48%), Australia (43%) and Ireland (39%). While The Netherlands and France also stand at 24% and Germany at 19%.
According to the researchers, three factors play a critical and positive role in the attractiveness of the country for highly qualified immigrants. The average salary, the use of English language to get by in the country and a low average tax rate. Belgium scores average to low when it comes to these factors compared to other OECD countries.
The study forecasts that by 2030, over 40% of the Belgian population will be “highly qualified” while the proportion of low-skilled workers will fall below 20%. Belgium is one of the fastest growing countries (with Sweden and France) in this regard.
The Brussels Times
