In 2018, 52.4% of women in Brussels aged between 15 and 64 were in employment. Although this rate is higher than in 2014, it remains lower than the figure for men and than the levels observed in Flanders and Wallonia. The barometer therefore shows an encouraging trend, but also highlights the continuing barriers to women’s economic participation.
A growing presence in the world of entrepreneurship
In 2018, there were 27,417 self-employed women under the age of 65 in Brussels, representing a 30% increase over ten years. They now account for 28.4% of the Region’s self-employed professionals and are particularly well represented in the liberal professions, intellectual professions and the service sector. The profile of new female entrepreneurs is also changing: the majority are under 35, and two out of three women who are self-employed on a primary basis hold a higher education qualification. This progression reflects a growing interest in entrepreneurship, even though women are still very much in the minority.
Inequalities remain pronounced
Nevertheless, the gaps remain significant. There are still 2.5 times more men than women amongst Brussels’ self-employed professionals, and women’s incomes are often lower: 38.6% of self-employed women report an annual income of less than €5,000. They are also not yet well-represented in decision-making bodies, holding just 23% of the seats on the boards of directors of Brussels-based companies. The situation is gradually improving, particularly among listed companies, but progress remains slow and varies considerably from sector to sector.
Full report available in French.
