The study ‘Being transgender in Belgium’ carried out by the Institute for Gender Equality in 2007 and 2017, shows a variegated pattern of the realities of the life of trans* people in Belgium. The proportion of trans* people living according to their gender identity increased by 40% between 2007 and 2017. Knowledge of anti-discrimination legislation has almost doubled, but at the same time the number of official complaints of discrimination has fallen only from 17.3% to 10.6%.

According to the study  ‘Being transgender in Belgium’, between 2007 and 2017 the unemployment rate mong trans* people decreased from 15.6% to 11.2%, but is still higher than the average 8% of the total population. Overall, the study finds that one third of working trans* people have negative experiences in the workplace. Because of this, 10% of trans* people decided to quit. Also, a quarter of the interviewees said that their experience had an impact on their motivation to apply for other jobs.

 In contrast to the workplace, according to the study, even half of the interviewees experience negative reactions at school. In both areas of life, the study finds that experienced discrimination also has an impact on the medical health.

If trans* people in Belgium would like to have a surgical operation, they may be released from work for this. However, they then only have the opportunity to go to specialised selected hospitals, which is criticised as a violation of the freedom to choose one’s own medical care. Financial support can be partly applied for.

According to the study ‘Being transgender in Belgium’, medical care and interaction with healthcare staff improved between 2007 and 2017.