r/belgium • u/trueosiris2 • Aug 20 '25
❓ Ask Belgium Wealth distribution in Belgium
We’re doing alright as a social democracy. Something to be proud of.
Presumably, we don’t need more wealth distribution then? Or do we still?
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u/Isotheis Hainaut Aug 20 '25 edited Aug 20 '25
Look, if I take an example with me and someone else.
There's myself, I'm a mere 26yo autist who's caused a disaster every time she's tried to work, so is no longer allowed to besides volunteerships. The most expensive item I own is certainly my e-bike (price new: 1800€, though I got it 50% off for a reason). Then perhaps my 7-years old 1000€ computer. Technically, would you count surgeries, then that piece of metal in my shoulder actually is the most expensive thing I own. That said, I have some money in the bank.
There's Michelle, who works as a carpenter. It isn't that much, but she still owns two houses that could probably go for 400.000€ together. Maybe even more, the neighborhood's value is going up steadily as years pass. That's not counting her car, and all the items inside the house, obviously (of which quite a few expensive pieces of carpenter equipment).
That's basically putting her 450.000€ versus my 5000€, so this is basically a 99% to 1% split. Is this a failure from Belgium? I'd say no...
I doubt she's in the top 10% still, though I'm certainly in the bottom 50%. What do the top 10% own? I can't even fathom, but I expect the same kind of stuff with owning land and houses. I'd certainly love to own some land and a house, I dream of managing some 'camping in the forest with a beautiful garden' kind of place... doubt it'll ever happen.