The wealthiest 1% of Belgians possess as much wealth as the bottom 75%, according to a new study published by the Belgian National Bank (BNB).
Since the start of the 21st century, wealth disparities in Belgium have not decreased. Inequalities of patrimony had strongly decreased during the 20th century.
The wealthiest 1% held about 40% of total wealth in the 1930s, which fell to approximately 20% by the 1990s.
In the 21st century, however, these disparities have remained relatively stable. In 2022, the top 10% of wealthy Belgians owned 56% of the total net wealth, and the wealthiest 1% held 22%, comparable to what the bottom 75% owned, the author of the study, Arthur Apostel (UGent), writes.
Inequalities are more pronounced in Brussels and less significant in Wallonia. In Flanders, wealth disparities mirror the Belgian average.
The richest families predominantly own moveable assets like stocks, investment funds, and savings and insurance products. Among the upper middle class, real estate, particularly the primary residence, constitutes a larger proportion of total wealth.
Men have significantly more individual wealth than women, particularly in older age groups. This disparity is likely due to women’s historically lower professional involvement.
Men are overrepresented both among the wealthiest and the least wealthy, while women are more prevalent at intermediate wealth levels.
