Belgium Leaves €50,750 From €100,000 Salary, Lowest in Europe

1 articles · Updated · The Brussels Times · Jun 3

Belgian workers earning €100,000 gross take home just €50,750 on average, the lowest figure in Europe in Euronews calculations for single, childless residents in capital regions.
Belgium lands at the bottom because its tax wedge is the OECD's highest: income tax reaches 50%, employees pay about 13% in social contributions, and local taxes were not even included.
Eastern European countries dominate the ranking for net pay, led by Bulgaria at €86,930, ahead of Estonia at €74,400 and the Czech Republic at €72,800, helped by flat taxes and capped social charges.
Among major EU economies, Germany and Italy were also heavily taxed at €57,900 and €56,700 net, while Spain and France stayed above €60,000; outside the EU, Switzerland led at €70,500.
Belgium's broader burden reflects a 42.6% tax-to-GDP ratio and heavy reliance on labor taxes to fund public services, pensions and healthcare as an ageing population pressures state finances.