Quarter of a million Belgians are second-jobbers

One in 20 workers in Belgium has two jobs - or more - according to the latest figures from Statbel, Belgium’s statistics office.

Some 5.5% of workers in Belgium combined multiple jobs last year, corresponding to 279,000 people, a slight increase over the 2023 figures, with almost equal numbers of men and women.

“It is mainly the 25-49 age group and those with a high level of education who have a second job,” the statistics office said. Some 6% of workers in this age group had multiple jobs last year.

Statbel added that in more than half of all cases, the second jobs came from self-employment. Some 4.3% of 15-24 year olds have a second job, compared with 4.8% of the over 50s.

The most common “second job” sectors last year were: health and social work (14.2%), education (11.9%), accommodation and catering (11.4%), specialist, scientific and technical activities (11.3%), and the wholesale and retail trade (10.1%).

Previously, men were more likely than women to have more than one job. In 2000, 4.3% of men had two jobs, compared with 3% of women.

In an informal survey carried out earlier this month, RTBF interviewed second jobbers to find out why they wanted extra work.

"For me, it’s a pleasure," said Alain de Mons, a former boss, father of two and grandfather with a degree in economics and a master’s in public management, who writes books alongside his work lecturing.

Christophe, a father of two in Genappe, is a full-time communications officer for a public institution, but he has continued his passion – commentating on football matches for several television channels. “It’s a luxury to have a complementary activity,” he told RTBF. “You’re not tied down, there’s no pressure.”

The freedom of working when you want is also very appealing, Christophe said: “You are free. And when the work stops or you decide to stop, it’s not a tragedy because you have a stable job on the side.”

Valérie, who works 80% for a mutuelle, wanted additional work to have more social interaction. “I found myself all alone in front of the PC, with no human contact,” she said. “I started selling cleaning and care products from home to meet people. It was definitely not for the money.”

She added: “I'm doing this for another five years. After that, I’ll see… if I lose my main job, I could develop [the second one] even further to feed my family. It’s a bit like a second string to my bow.”