Single-parent families more vulnerable to poverty

More than one-third of the single-parent families in Belgium are living below the poverty line, according to a study by the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Development (IDD). Since 1991, the number of single-parent families in Belgium has increased by 51%, reports De Morgen.

There are currently about 465,000 single-parent families in Belgium, and 725,000 children living in these families, says the IDD. The institute based its findings on statistics from the Federal Planning Bureau and the Crossroads Bank for Social Security.

The study also shows strong regional differences, with Brussels and Wallonia counting more than 30% of its households as single-parent families, compared with 21% in Flanders. Among the single-parent families, women are at the head of the household in 83% of the cases.

Single-parent families are at a higher risk of falling into poverty, the study shows. Their poverty rate is 35%, compared with 15% of the total population. The family heads of single-parent families have a much higher unemployment rate, are more likely to work part-time and generally earn less than other parents.

In Brussels, 27.8% of the household heads of single-parent families are unemployed, compared with 13.5% of other parents. For those between the ages of 18 and 24 years, as many as 54.6% are unemployed, compared with 22% of other parents.

The IDD hopes that the study will call attention to the future of the children living in poor single-parent homes, and suggests a thorough examination into the root causes behind their situation.