Satisfaction with policy

Satisfaction with the policy was highest at the lower administrative levels in spring 2024 among the population of the Flemish Region aged 18 and over. On a scale of 0 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied), the population’s average satisfaction with policy was 5.8 at local government, 5.4 at provincial government, 5.1 at Flemish government and 4.6 at federal government. Satisfaction with the European government averaged 4.6.

At almost all policy levels, satisfaction decreased between 2021 and 2022. In 2023 and 2024, satisfaction was slightly higher again. Only in European government did satisfaction remain more or less stable over the years.

Comparable figures on satisfaction with policy for the period before 2021 are not available.

Women are more satisfied with local policy than men. 55-64-year-olds are noticeably less satisfied than the other age groups. Furthermore, satisfaction with local policy increases with higher levels of education. Finally, satisfaction with local policy is highest among rural residents.

Women are more satisfied with provincial policy than men. And residents of central cities are more satisfied than residents of smaller cities. For the other background characteristics, there are no significant differences.

People aged 65 and over are slightly more satisfied than the youngest age group with the policy of the Flemish government. Otherwise, there are no significant differences in satisfaction with Flemish government policy by background characteristics.

Women are more satisfied with federal policy than men. In addition, the low and highly educated are also significantly more satisfied than the medium educated. People from central cities are also more satisfied than those from smaller cities, the transitional area and rural areas. There are no significant differences for the other background characteristics.

Women are somewhat more satisfied with European policy than men. In addition, young people are more satisfied than the older age groups. Furthermore, satisfaction with European policy is higher among high educated people than among medium and low educated. Those who (still) live with their parents or who live with a partner and children are also more satisfied than persons living alone or living with a partner and without children. Finally, residents in central cities register higher satisfaction than residents in the urban periphery and rural areas.