Research project: Age discrimination in Belgium (2025)
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- Age
In this research projects Unia investigates how often age discrimination occurs in Belgium and what forms it takes, based on the experiences of people aged 16 and over. The research shows that age discrimination occurs across the entire age spectrum.
“Young people” (-30) and “older people” (61+) report the most exclusion, but people in between these age groups also experience discrimination. Because it often occurs in addition to other forms of discrimination, the experiences are unique and sometimes more severe. Policymakers and institutions must recognise this and work on a broad, intersectional approach.
Key findings: all ages discriminated against
Age discrimination is not limited to one specific group, but is a broad social problem.
How often does age discrimination occur?
- At least 1 in 3 people have experienced age discrimination in the past 12 months.
- Among young people up to the age of 30 and people over the age of 70, this rises to approximately 1 in 2.
- The problem affects all age groups.
Where does age discrimination occur?
At work
More than 20% of people report age discrimination in the workplace: during job applications, at work and during dismissal procedures.
‘I went to a job interview. The man said to me: “I prefer to hire older people rather than young people, they are unreliable at work.”’ (41 years old, male)
In healthcare
People who are seen as “young” or “old” are not always taken seriously enough by healthcare staff. Respondents indicate that they are not believed, helped or treated.
‘Five years ago, the orthopedist dismissed me because of my age; I had to accept that I was “worn out”. Afterwards, I ended up in the right place and now my mobility is still fine!’ (83-year-old woman)
In other areas
In terms of housing, financial services, government services, mobility, public space, leisure, hospitality and shops, at least 1 in 10 have experienced age discrimination.
In terms of digitalisation
Research done by the King Baudouin Foundation (2024 - FR only) and Statbel (2023) shows that digitalisation creates additional barriers for pensioners and young people. Without a smartphone, laptop or internet, you cannot manage your banking affairs, apply for social housing or get discounts in supermarkets. More than 30% of respondents therefore feel excluded by digitalisation.
What is the impact of age discrimination?
Ageism can lead to:
- reduced quality of life
- more difficult access to rights
- less economic security
- less social participation
When are you “young” or “old”?
This is not a fixed concept, but variable and a social construct. It depends heavily on context, norms and prevailing prejudices about age within a particular area of life.
Sometimes it involves explicit age limits that may be arbitrary or even illegal. For example, people are not recognised as having a disability if they only develop it after the age of 65.
Does age discrimination only affect older people?
No, both young and old experience exclusion. Sometimes it is even very similar:
- Finding it more difficult to find housing because they are considered financially risky.
- Not being taken seriously or being treated condescendingly.
- Not finding their place in public spaces.
Why does age discrimination seem so persistent?
Age discrimination seems to be more socially accepted than other forms of discrimination. As a result, discrimination sometimes occurs openly, without employers, shopkeepers and estate agents seeming to be aware of the discriminatory or even illegal nature of their behaviour.
Sometimes age even seems to be used as a pretext to obscure or legitimise other forms of exclusion such as racism or sexism.
What if age discrimination is combined with other forms of exclusion?
Age discrimination can go hand in hand with racism, ableism, poverty, homophobia, etc. This combination increases the impact and often leads to unique experiences. For example, experiences may differ between young and older women, or between young women with and without disabilities. It is therefore very important to pay attention to these differences and the specific needs of people at different intersections when tackling age discrimination.
How did Unia conduct its research into age discrimination?
The findings in the research report are based on:
- a large-scale survey with 2.462 participants
- analysis of reports of age discrimination received by Unia in 2024
- 6 focus groups
3 age groups
We examined the specific – different and similar – challenges faced by these groups:
- “young people” (-30)
- “middle group” (31–60)
- “older people” (61+)
Within these three broad categories, we also used smaller age groups to identify the variation within the groups.
Intersectional approach
During the focus group discussions, we looked at the intersection with other forms of exclusion (also known as intersectionality): discrimination against racialised persons, persons with disabilities, persons living in poverty, LGBTI+ persons and discrimination based on gender.
9 domains
The research covers the following areas of life:
- Paid work
- Unpaid work
- Housing
- Financial services
- Government and social services
- Healthcare and assistance
- Mobility
- Public space, leisure, hospitality and shops
- Digitalisation
What will Unia do with these results?
Unia will engage in dialogue with youth organisations, senior citizens' associations and other stakeholders to formulate concrete policy recommendations based on these results.
Age discrimination must be recognised as a serious social problem – and action must be taken.
Do you have a question or comment about this research project?
Let us know. We will be happy to provide you with more information about the findings, methods and conclusions.
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