The OECD’s Risks that Matter (RTM) Survey has offered data-driven insights into people’s risk perceptions and preferences for social protection since 2018. Today, Belgians are less worried than the OECD average about all social and economic risks – from health to education to employment to violence. Concern is highest for becoming ill or disabled and being the victim of crime or violence.
As technology changes labour markets, respondents in Belgium are less likely than the OECD average to believe that technology will negatively impact their jobs (Figure 1). Reflecting lower levels of concern, respondents in Belgium are less supportive than the OECD average of all related policy actions (Figure 2). Support is highest for investment in training and education.
Longer life expectancy and declining fertility contribute to population ageing, with negative implications for economic growth and the financing of social protection. Belgian respondents express a similar level of concern about population ageing as the OECD average, but are less supportive of all specified policy actions (Figure 3). Support is highest for increasing labour supply, especially among women and underrepresented groups, and increasing technology use.
Population ageing and competing demands for resources are narrowing the fiscal space for social programmes. These changes are taking place against a backdrop of high levels of debt, a high-interest rate environment, and declining public willingness to pay for social protection. In Belgium, willingness to pay 2% more for better social protection has declined since the pandemic for all policy areas except housing and family supports (Figure 4). Declines have been largest for pensions, long-term care and unemployment supports.
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)