The number of immigrants among the unemployment numbers has gone up in the past ten years. In 1999, Belgians of immigrant origin and non-EU citizens comprised 11.4% of all registered unemployed job-seekers. In 2007, these numbers have increased to 16.9%, according to data provided by VDAB (Flemish Public Employment Service) and reported by De Tijd. However, De Tijd also reports that unemployment by immigrant youth in 13 major Flemish cities has gone down 38% over the past two years. According to VDAB statistics, unemployment among all immigrants has gone down since 2005, but the drop was less than the overall unemployment drops.
