Dissecting the 'Expat Survey': community life

Judging by the way the findings of the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office's Survey about the Life of the International Community in Brussels were reported across various Belgian media, it is as if not one but several surveys took place. In what was a classic case of “glass half-full / half-empty”, newspapers, websites and blogs reported on the findings in highly different, sometimes conflicting  ways, deciding to highlight certain results and brush others under the carpet.

The expatriate community working for European institutions is often blamed for everything bar the weather, and this survey, conducted among 9,072 people (8% Belgian and 92% 'non-Belgian', representing over thirty nationalities) gives us a golden opportunity to look at some of the most stubborn 'perceived ideas'. We chose to highlight the findings which come across as the most surprising or arresting. In this first installment, we focus on involvement in the community.

How many people of Belgian origin form part of your circle of friends?

Sadly, rather than worryingly, 23% of respondents having lived here for less than two years have no Belgian friends. On the whole, however, these figures are far from alarming. Besides, the definition of "friend" can vary from one respondent to another.

Statements relative to Belgians 

Again, the figures are somewhere between encouraging and reassuring. The interaction between Belgians and expats is there (see above) but, even better, there is a clear will among the international community to reach out to Belgians. Most surprisingly, perhaps, only 32% think that Belgians are distrustful of expats. Phew. As for the 17.8% who are content not to mingle well, what can you say apart from "their loss"...

Do you easily find information about cultural activities and on events taking place in Brussels?

Unsurprisingly, the longer people have lived here, the easier it is for them to find informational about Brussels' cultural life. 'No problem' and 'relatively easy' score a robust combined total of 78%. spare a thought for the 2% who, after more than ten years, still don't know where to find this information. Maybe 'I don't want to know' should have been offered as an option.

Would you enrol your children in a Belgian secondary school?

A disappointing 55% rule it out, while a pretty meagre 10% automatically send their children to Belgian secondary schools. Language is a key factor here and, to be fair, when parents are posted on a short-term contract, it may prove confusing, sometimes impossible for the children to adapt to a new educational system and learn one of Belgium's national languages. Then there is, as the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office rightly points out, there is the small matter of the lack of spaces in Belgian schools...

Would you like to stay in Belgium after your professional career?

Well who would've thought? A majority of respondents would 'certainly' or 'maybe' retire in Belgium. The 'certainly nots' score very highly, of course and, crucially, there was no 'probably not' option. Whether the maybes do retire in Belgium or not will depend on an awful lot of factors including, naturally, children and spouses.