Federal unemployment reform (2026): divergent regional responses
Regional response capacity to the 2026 federal unemployment reform
| Entity | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| VLA | VDAB emergency plan activated (enhanced support, additional budgets) | 15 January 2026 |
| WAL | Partial Forem measures (targeted intensification, no additional budget) | 31 January 2026 |
| BXL | No new measures — government in caretaker mode | 1 February 2026 |
| VLA | Regional unemployment rate: ~3.2% | 31 December 2025 |
| WAL | Regional unemployment rate: ~8.5% | 31 December 2025 |
| BXL | Regional unemployment rate: ~12.7% | 31 December 2025 |
Methodology
Comparison of measures announced or activated by each regional public employment service (VDAB, Forem, Actiris) in response to the federal unemployment reform taking effect in 2026. Information is drawn from official communications of employment services and regional parliamentary debates.
Comparability limitations
The federal unemployment reform is a federal competence; Regions are responsible for guidance and training of jobseekers. Regional unemployment rates are from Statbel using the ILO definition (International Labour Organisation). Figures are quarterly estimates, not exact monthly data.
Context
The federal government adopted an unemployment system reform in early 2026 aimed at limiting the duration of benefits and strengthening job search requirements. This reform has a direct impact on the Regions, which are responsible for the guidance and training of jobseekers through their public services (VDAB in Flanders, Forem in Wallonia, Actiris in Brussels).
Flanders: immediate activation
The VDAB, the Flemish public employment service, activated an emergency plan as soon as the reform was announced:
- Enhanced individual support: increase in the number of counsellors assigned to long-term jobseeker follow-up
- Additional budgets: the Flemish government released supplementary funds for training and retraining
- Targeted programmes: launch of specific measures for the groups most affected by tightened conditions
The Flemish unemployment rate (~3.2%) allows for a relative absorption of the reform's effects, as the labour market is tight in many sectors.
Wallonia: partial response
The Forem intensified certain support actions but without additional budget:
- Targeted intensification: reallocation of internal resources towards affected groups
- No comprehensive emergency plan: the recently installed Walloon government prioritised other budget areas
- Training: extension of certain existing programmes, without new schemes
The Walloon unemployment rate (~8.5%) is higher than in Flanders, making the regional population more vulnerable to the reform's effects.
Brussels: inability to act
Actiris, the Brussels employment service, cannot launch new measures:
- Government in caretaker mode: no new policy can be decided
- Budget on provisional twelfths: no additional resources available
- Continuation of existing programmes only: Actiris continues its regular missions but without adaptation to the federal reform
The Brussels unemployment rate (~12.7%), the highest of the three Regions, makes this inability to act particularly concerning. Brussels concentrates a disproportionate share of long-term jobseekers who will be the first affected by tightened conditions.
The structural challenge
This situation highlights a specific risk of the Brussels institutional crisis: when a federal reform changes the environment, Regions with a fully empowered government can adapt. Brussels, in caretaker mode, cannot. Brussels jobseekers face both the federal tightening and the absence of a regional response.
Sources
- VDAB, communication on the reinforced support plan (January 2026)
- Forem, activity report fourth quarter 2025
- Actiris, annual report 2025
- Statbel, labour force survey, quarterly estimates Q4 2025
- Chamber of Representatives, text of the unemployment reform (2026)
Source: Regional public employment services — Activity reports
Last updated: 7 February 2026