For years, Lanaken was reported in various rankings and reports as a municipality with a notably low employment rate. However, these figures did not provide a complete picture of the reality. A large number of Lanaken residents work just across the border in the Netherlands, primarily in and around Maastricht, but were not included in the statistics on which the employment rate was based. The presence of the psychiatric center OPZC and the asylum center in Lanaken also directly influenced these employment figures.
With the recently adjusted calculation method, cross-border workers are now included. This has led to an increase in the employment rate for Lanaken in the reference year 2024, from 65.8% to 73.4%. These new figures confirm what has been visible locally for some time: many Lanaken residents are active in the labor market, both in Belgium and the Netherlands.
By correctly incorporating cross-border labor into the statistics, a more realistic picture of the municipality's socioeconomic situation emerges. With an employment rate of 73.4%, Lanaken is now among the high-performing municipalities in terms of employment.
The Municipality of Lanaken emphasizes that other border municipalities face similar situations, but Lanaken holds a unique position. As the only Flemish border municipality, it directly borders the international city of Maastricht, which serves as a significant employment hub for many residents. The proximity to this economic and educational region has fostered strong cross-border labor mobility for years.
“"This is not about a different interpretation of the figures, but about a more accurate representation of reality. Thousands of residents contribute daily to the economy and labor market, but a significant portion does so across the border. In total, 3,028 cross-border workers are employed in the Netherlands. These labor contributions certainly deserve a place in the statistics."
