Six in 10 Belgian families face financial difficulties, according to a consumer survey conducted by Testaankoop. While there was a slight decrease in the number of families in financial distress in

2023 compared to the previous year, many still find themselves in a precarious financial situation.

Testaankoop's annual report, based on responses from over 4,000 consumers, indicates a decline in the percentage of Belgian families experiencing financial difficulties, dropping from 5.4 percent in 2022 to 3.7 percent in 2023.

However, Laura Clays, a spokeswoman for Testaankoop, emphasizes that this reduction doesn't imply complete relief from financial burdens. "More than a third of families continue to struggle with covering basic expenses such as energy and groceries," she notes. "This underscores the need for government intervention to address issues like high energy costs and the affordability of essential goods."

The survey also reveals that while the number of financially vulnerable households is decreasing, 60 percent still find it challenging to save money at the end of the month. Half of these households report being unable to save anything at all.

Additionally, 50 percent of respondents indicate that booking a holiday would cause financial strain, while 47 percent struggle to afford dining out and 46 percent find day trips financially burdensome. Dental bills pose a challenge for one-third of families surveyed.

Clays emphasizes the importance of government action in bolstering purchasing power for Belgian families. "Nearly six out of ten Belgian families continue to face financial challenges," she explains. "This highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Belgians, and we hope that a new government will prioritize measures to enhance purchasing power."