Income security low among Belgian seniors

Belgians over the age of 60 have less income security than seniors in neighbouring countries, according to figures from the Global AgeWatch Index, HelpAge International's ranking of 96 countries based on how well their ageing populations fare in four domains: income, health, capability and enabling environments. Belgium ranks high on the index overall, at 27. But it scores relatively low in income security and pension coverage.

According to the Index, Belgium could do better when it comes to pension coverage and the relative welfare of its senior population. In neighbouring countries, people over 60 have more certainty about their income than Belgian elderly. Moreover, only 39.5% of the Belgian population aged between 55 and 64 have a job. The low employment rate and pension coverage put Belgium at 58th place in the category ‘capability’.

Belgium scores fairly well, however, in the category ‘enabling environments’: 89% of people over 60 can rely on neighbours when they are in trouble, 55% feel safe when alone on the streets at night, and 63% are satisfied with public transport.

Getting old, according to the study, is most agreeable in Norway, followed by Sweden and Switzerland. Neighbours Germany (5), the Netherlands (6), the United Kingdom (10), France (16) and Luxembourg (19) all scored better than Belgium, as did some South American countries, such as Chile (22) and Uruguay (23).

Belgium ranks 27th overall, between Costa Rica and Georgia.