Economy, jobs and prices in Antwerpen, Belgium: official figures
Net taxable income averaged €20,370 per resident in Antwerp in income year 2023, 13% below the Belgian average of €23,352; that was the 4th lowest of the 8 largest Belgian cities.
What is the average income per tax return in Antwerp?
341,547 income tax returns were filed by residents of Antwerp for income year 2023, with an average net taxable income of €32,490 per return (the 4th lowest among the 8 largest Belgian cities; Belgian average €37,275).
Source: Statbel (Belgian statistical office) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Antwerpen?
The unemployment rate in Antwerpen was 7.4% in 2023 (6.9% for women, 7.8% for men).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat are the main jobs in Antwerpen?
307,416 jobs were based in Antwerpen in 2025; the biggest employers were public administration, education and health (28% of jobs) and professional, scientific and administrative services (25%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Antwerpen?
Tourist accommodation in Antwerpen recorded 725,493 nights in 2020, 55% by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Antwerpen?
There were 400 registered cars per 1,000 residents in 2025.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- Average net taxable income per resident in Antwerp rose by 35.4% between income years 2013 and 2023, from €15,050 to €20,370 (Belgium: +37.2%), the 4th fastest growth of the 8 largest Belgian cities. Source: Statbel (Belgian statistical office) · saved copy
- Residents of Antwerp declared 11.10 billion euros of net taxable income in 2023, 4.0% of the Belgian total, while they made up 4.6% of the population counted in the tax statistics. Source: Statbel (Belgian statistical office) · saved copy
- Earnings from work, pensions and benefits (professional income) made up 98.2% of net taxable income in Antwerp in 2023, and taxable real estate income 1.2% (Belgium: 98.0% and 1.5%). Source: Statbel (Belgian statistical office) · saved copy
- 71% of people in Antwerpen were satisfied with public transport (EU quality of life in European cities survey, 2023). Source: Eurostat · saved copy
- 57% of people in Antwerpen agreed that it is easy to find a good job in the city (EU quality of life in European cities survey, 2023). Source: Eurostat · saved copy
How Antwerpen compares with other cities in Belgium
Net taxable income per resident (2023)
Antwerpen ranks 5 of 8, highest first. Belgium's eight largest cities (the municipality itself).
| Rank | City | Net taxable income per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Brugge | €25,820 |
| 3 | Gent | €24,043 |
| 4 | Namur | €22,702 |
| 5 | Antwerpen | €20,370 |
| 6 | Liège | €19,002 |
| 7 | Charleroi | €16,725 |
| 8 | Bruxelles | €16,683 |
Growth in net taxable income per resident, 2013-2023 (2023)
Antwerpen ranks 4 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | City | Growth in net taxable income per resident, 2013-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruxelles | 38.1% |
| 2 | Gent | 37.6% |
| 3 | Brugge | 36.1% |
| 4 | Antwerpen | 35.4% |
| 5 | Louvain | 34.5% |
| 6 | Liège | 34.0% |
| 7 | Namur | 32.2% |
Unemployment rate (2023)
Antwerpen ranks 5 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleroi | 14.3% |
| 2 | Liège | 13.0% |
| 3 | Bruxelles | 11.7% |
| 4 | Namur | 9.3% |
| 5 | Antwerpen | 7.4% |
| 6 | Gent | 5.4% |
| 7 | Brugge | 3.3% |
Cars per 1,000 residents (2025)
Antwerpen ranks 6 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Cars per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brugge | 472 |
| 2 | Namur | 470 |
| 3 | Charleroi | 437 |
| 4 | Liège | 434 |
| 5 | Gent | 400 |
| 6 | Antwerpen | 400 |
| 7 | Bruxelles | 316 |
Tourist nights (2020)
Antwerpen ranks 2 of 4, highest first.
| Rank | City | Tourist nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruxelles | 1,782,873 |
| 2 | Antwerpen | 725,493 |
| 3 | Brugge | 711,720 |
| 4 | Gent | 501,209 |
More on Antwerpen: overview · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · all cities in Belgium
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_percep: Quality of life in European cities survey 2023: perception (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81bd3e277f3e…)
- Statbel (Belgian statistical office): Fiscal statistics on income subject to personal income tax, by municipality of residence, income years 2005-2023 (TF_PSNL_INC_TAX_MUNTY), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5ff459c06f5f…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctour: Urban Audit: culture and tourism (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 235d13e6125c…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clma: Urban Audit: labour market (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 be050965f9c6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctran: Urban Audit: transport (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c4e74aa07496…)
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