The Belgian Federal Planning Bureau forecasts that the next breach of the central index – used for the indexation of wages and social benefits – will occur in February next year, five months later than previously anticipated.
As a result, social benefits, pensions, and public servants’ salaries will be increased by 2.0% in May 2026 under the government’s policy of only indexing three months after the central index is exceeded.
Benefits were last adjusted in February 2025, while public servants’ salaries were last indexed with a 2.0% increase in March, so the next adjustment due only in May next year.
A month ago, the Planning Bureau had expected the central index to be breached in September 2025. Inflation forecasts have since been revised, moving from an average of 2.8% for 2025 and 1.3% for 2026, to new estimates of 2.1% and 1.3% respectively.
The Planning Bureau does not anticipate a second breach of the central index in 2026.
