Belgians, money and happiness: the 2026 Barometer

Two years ago, it stood at 5.500€. This net monthly income is a median: a household with one or two children would want an extra 1.000€ per month, per additional child.

In median terms, the happiness price in net worth has stayed constant from one barometer to the next: right at the symbolic million-euro mark. The self-employed have higher expectations than employees.

Regardless of income level, geopolitics ranks as Belgians’ top worry. Only the youngest respondents worry primarily about more concrete issues, such as inflation or the cost of housing.

For Belgians, money rhymes first with security (63%) and freedom (48%), the two positive emotions far ahead of the others, followed by peace of mind and comfort (37% each).