MBA-Exchange.com - Country Guide

Belgium

Salaries

While the cost of living in Belgium is high, the average salary is also high compared to most countries in the region. Belgium�s high cost of living demands reasonable compensation for one to utilise all that the country has to offer. Most immigrants love Belgium because of its high demand for IT, health, and government-related jobs. Since Belgium workers are highly taxed, they take home considerably less than their gross monthly salary. This equates to a low disposable income, hence the need to understand wages and expenses in Belgium.

In Belgium, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is USD 34,884 a year, more than the OECD average of USD 30,490 a year, and about 65% of people aged 15-64 in Belgium have a paid job, below the OECD employment average of 66%.

Typical 2025 entry to mid-level jobs salary levels are listed below:
- Business Development Manager: � 60,000
- Electrical Engineer : � 54,000
- Executive Director: � 138,000
- Financial Analyst: � 60,960
- Management Consultant: � 37,200

- Marketing Specialist: � 37,800

- Operations Manager : � 50,400
- Project Manager: � 48,000
- Software Engineer: � 38,400

�52002

Average Salary
(OECD US$51,607)

MBA Salaries

Based on our data from various global sources, the average post-MBA salary for Belgium is between � 91,700 and � 106,983, with some sources from top universities stating an average as high as � 184,000.

MBA graduates with more experience and working in higher-paying industries such as finance or professional services, can earn significantly more than the average. Additionally, MBA graduates who hold high corporate positions also earn higher salaries.

Using the same data and methodology from global sources, below are the average post-MBA salaires by region:

(in EUR thousands)	.
Brussels	99.2
Flanders	104.1

Overall	101.8

Taxation

50%

Max. Personal Income Tax

21%

Value-Added Tax (VAT)

Capital Gain Tax :	Exempted in most cases


Inheritance and Gift Tax :	Inheritance tax rate varies depending on the region, the value of the assets inherited, and the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary.<br>Gift tax rates vary based on the region where the gift is registered and range between 3% and 7%

Corporate Income Tax :	25%

Social Charges :	13.07%

Residents of Belgium are taxable on their worldwide income, while non-residents are only taxable on Belgian-source income.
Belgium remains one of the highest-taxed countries in Europe. The tax calculation contains two major components, notably the communal taxes (ranging between 0% and 9% of the Federal tax rate), and the Federal tax rate. Net tax rates are between 25% for earning less than 13,870�, up to over 50% for earners earning over 42,370�.

At 21%, Belgium has the average value-added taxes in Europe

Unemployment

5.8%

Unemployment
(OECD 5.3%)

2.3%

Long Term Unemployment
(OECD 1.38%)

Unemployment in Belgium in 2025 is really similar than the OECD average at 5.2% (OECD 5.3%), which is between it's EU counterparts France (7.4%) and Germany (3.0%). However, long-term unemployment remains higher than the OECD average. Furthermore, in case of a loss of employment, the expected earnings loss is around 13.2%, which is the lowest among OECD countries.

Good to Know

Belgium follows Central European Time (CET) (GMT+1), and in summer Central European Summer Time (CEST) (GMT+2)

General office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, with 30-60 minutes for lunch

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4:00 pm, some open later during the week and on Saturdays.

Most shops open Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, and until 9.00 pm on Fridays. Some stores close from noon to 2.00 pm

Belgians usually have lunch between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm and dinner, their main meal, between 7.00 pm and 10.00 pm, with peak traffic around 9.00 pm.

WEF Gender Gap Index

Global Score	0.796
Global Ranking	10th
	(out of 145 countries)

OECD Gender Wage Gap

Lower is better

How do I build my CV / Resume

Personal Info

Reverse Chronological

Picture

Include personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, residence status, marital status, and contact information. Do also include the name of your spouse and children (if any), and military status/experience (if any).

It has become common to include a professional headshot photo in your CV.

List your education and work experience following a reverse chronological order, with the most recent appearing first. If you have a lot of experience, include the most relevant for the job position.

Belgian employers are interested in your grades only if they are relevant to the job description, don�t include them if they�re not asked for or if it isn�t pertinent.

Belgium is an international centre and many different languages are by region, make sure you write your CV/Resume in the right language. Dutch for companies in Flanders, French for companies in Wallonia, and French or English for companies in Brussels. In any case, check the offer and adapt subsequently.

How do I build my Cover Letter

Including a header at the top of your cover letter with your name, contact information, and the date.

Be sure to mention the specific job title and any reference number provided in the job advertisement.

The language you write the cover letter in is also very important. If you apply for a job in Brussels and you are not sure, choose to write your cover letter in French or English. Although the language should adhere to the job description.

Explain your interest in the position and the company. This is your opportunity to show your enthusiasm and demonstrate why you are a good fit for the role.

Highlight your relevant skills and experience that make you a good candidate for the position. It's important to tailor your cover letter to the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.

Mention your education and any relevant qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the position.

Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address so the employer can easily get in touch with you.

End your cover letter with a professional closing, such as 'Sincerely,' and your full name.

Source: MBA-Exchange.com analysis based on its own data and the most reliable sources