Around 260,000 people, constituting 5.2% of the workforce, held second jobs in 2023, according to recent figures from Belgium's statistics bureau Statbel.
This percentage shows an increase from 3.8% in 2018, but the figures remained steady compared to 2022.
People aged 25 to 49 were found to be most likely to hold second jobs, at 5.7%. Meanwhile, 3.9% of young people aged 15 to 24 held second jobs, compared to 4.4% of over 50s.
Statbel noted that higher education levels correlated with a greater percentage of people holding second jobs. Among those with high education levels, 6.5% held second jobs, compared to 4.3% with medium education levels and 2.5% with low education levels.
In almost six out of ten cases, the additional jobs were self-employed roles. Most commonly, people sought secondary employment in health and social work sectors, teaching, wholesale and retail trade, and vehicle repair.
