The #OpenVLD proposal to reduce 10% of public sector jobs through AI raises several questions and concerns. Let’s break down the numbers.
According to recent statistics, 18.4% of Belgium’s workforce is employed by the government, amounting to approximately 775,490 people. If we were to reduce this by 10%, that would bring the total down to 697,941, eliminating 77,549 full-time positions. Given that the average government salary in Belgium is just over €4,000 (Statbel), this reduction could result in an annual savings of approximately €3.7 billion.
However, Belgium faces a much larger budget gap that needs to be addressed.
When we compare to countries where only 10% of the workforce is employed in the public sector, the potential cost savings would be enormous. Achieving this ratio in Belgium would mean reducing the number of public sector employees to 421,462, leading to savings of approximately €20.23 billion per year. But such a drastic reduction cannot be achieved within a single legislative term.
Cutting Jobs Isn’t the Only Solution to Efficiency
While reducing public sector employment may contribute to efficiency, it is not the only or even the best solution. Government inefficiencies and bureaucratic complexity cannot be solved solely by cutting jobs—a more holistic approach is required.
One critical issue is evaluating the maturity of our government in terms of data and AI capabilities. Governments hold vast amounts of citizen data, but how well is this data being used to improve public services? The reality is there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Fix the Foundations Before Implementing AI
Before even considering AI-driven solutions, we must ensure that the fundamentals—such as Data Quality and Governance—are properly established.
A smarter first step would be to optimize existing processes through technologies like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and other advanced digital solutions, before jumping to AI. While AI can be a powerful tool, it isn’t a magic fix—it must be implemented strategically within the bigger picture of governmental reform.
Ethics, Trust & Citizen-Centricity
The AI discussion must also include debates on ethics and public trust. These elements are essential in building AI systems that truly serve the public interest and gain citizen confidence.
Moreover, it is critical to involve local Belgian businesses in this discussion. Time is running out, and collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society is necessary to create effective solutions that enhance both efficiency and social well-being. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can play a significant role in this transformation and should not be overlooked.
The Goal: A Lean, Agile, and Citizen-Focused Government
As citizens, we have a right to a government that is lean, agile, and customer-oriented.
We should strive for a system that prioritizes delivering services tailored to the needs of the people, rather than simply making governance more convenient for the government itself.
What do you think—how can we create a smarter, more efficient, and citizen-focused government?
