Brussels Students Face Challenges with Rising Rent Prices

Accommodation and crime are the top concerns for students in Brussels, according to a new survey.

The survey shows that 31.5% of respondents no longer live with their parents and are “cooping” (confined in a small space).

Among these, 60% of participants said they had difficulty finding accommodation, with the level of rent being one of the main reasons.

At the same time, 75.4% of respondents are satisfied with their student accommodation.

The survey, “Panorama of student life”, surveyed  3,000 students and was conducted by “perspective.brussels” with the support of the Academic Centre and Brik.

It also found that almost three out of four students say they do not feel safe in the city.

This is an increase compared to the previous survey. Concerns are most acute about insecurity in the evening and at night and, to a lesser extent, on public transport.

Students are generally satisfied with the urban experience during their studies, said the survey.

A spokesperson stated,

The survey allows us to better understand the assets and attractive points of the Brussels Region, but also what should be improved.

Over the last ten years, the number of registrations in higher education in the Brussels Region has increased by 22%, reaching more than 137,000 students during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Identifying the needs of this student population remains a significant challenge for what is the largest student city in the country.

The survey involved students from 49 higher education institutions located in the Brussels Region and follows a first survey conducted in 2014-2015 and a second in 2019-2020.

A varied group of students responded, which, according to the organisers, “provides an idea of the attractiveness of the Region and the experiences of the students themselves.”

Nearly 3,000 students completed an online questionnaire between November 2023 and March 2024. The average age of participants was 22 years, and 65% of respondents did not live in Brussels before their studies. International students represented 22% of the sample and included 95 different nationalities.

The survey shows that students are generally satisfied with the city and their lifestyle there.

Mobility, life in the neighbourhoods, sports infrastructure, and cultural activities are seen as positive aspects.

However, some challenges remain, including the search for accommodation, the cost of living, and a sense of insecurity.

The quality of education, the training offered, and the distance between campus and accommodation are cited, in that order, as the main reasons for choosing Brussels as a student city.

Furthermore, the survey reveals that students enjoy living in Brussels: 67.2% of respondents say they are satisfied with their neighbourhood, and about 55% of students want to continue living in the region after their studies.

Three blank”>out of four students say they are satisfied with mobility in the city.