Not cynical, but in solidarity: Belgians want international cooperation and fair taxes

International cooperation? Tax justice? Climate action? Belgians are more in favor of it than ever before. The new International Solidarity Barometer, published today, 11.11.11 publishes annually during its campaign period, shows that citizens remain remarkably supportive - especially now that human rights are under attack worldwide, from Gaza to Washington.  

In times of geopolitical uncertainty, severe cuts to development cooperation, and Trump's isolationism, Belgians remain remarkably internationally oriented. This is evident from a new poll conducted by the Dome of International Solidarity. 11.11.11 publishes on the eve of her busiest campaign weekend.

A staggering nine out of ten Belgians consider international cooperation essential to address challenges such as climate, migration, and security. More than two-thirds even believe that countries should cooperate more, even if it comes at the expense of national sovereignty. 

Development cooperation under fire, but the public remains convinced 

It's also striking that almost two out of three Belgians (65%) want the development cooperation budget to be maintained at least, and 44 percent even want it to increase. Young people, in particular, are strongly in favor of this.

Even among the MR supporters, where chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez openly advocates for the complete abolition of development cooperation, that majority support clearly remains. The difference between political rhetoric and what people actually think could hardly be greater.

More figures:

• 70% of CD&V voters and 75% of Vooruit voters believe that the development cooperation budget should remain at least the same or increase to tackle global poverty.
• 44% of Belgians believe that Belgium should honor its commitment to raising that budget to 0,7% of GNI. For CD&V and Vooruit voters, this figure is even higher, reaching 54% and 58%, respectively.
• Still supports 1 in 3 Belgians (37%) the Arizona cut of 25% on development cooperation – a principled stand in favor of development cooperation does not always translate into opposition to cuts today.
• 45% of Belgians are positive to very positive about increasing the defense budget to 5% of GDP – but 69% believe that this should not come at the expense of health care and social protection, as proposed by the NATO Secretary General. 

Belgians are concerned about the world, not blind to the threat. But they want solutions that go beyond weapons. More tanks alone won't make the world safer. We also need human rights defenders, journalists, war crimes investigators, doctors, and social workers. International solidarity isn't a luxury; it's an essential pillar of peace.

Belgians want fair taxation – even for the very richest 

In addition to solidarity across borders, Belgians also look critically at what is happening here. 81 percent want a wealth tax above €1 million, excluding the family home. Support for this is remarkably broad: it also exceeds 70% among voters of N-VA (72%) and MR (80%).

And that's no coincidence. It's perfectly true when people sense that taxation in this country isn't fair. The richest 1 percent owns almost a quarter of all wealth. And yet they pay less tax than the average Belgian. That's a sore point.

Globally, this call for justice is also loud. For example, 84 percent want a stricter crackdown on tax havens, and 82 percent support a 2% minimum tax on the wealth of billionaires worldwide. Over 79% support a global minimum tax on corporate profits.

More figures:

• 79% supports the introduction of a global minimum tax on corporate profits
• 74% of Belgians are in favor of a tax reform that reduces taxes on labor income, especially for low incomes, and increases taxes on capital income, especially for the highest incomes. 

• 81% believes that Belgium should actively participate in negotiations within the United Nations to establish a global treaty to combat tax havens and tax avoidance and evasion.

   

Climate: Public pressure mounts again 

Despite the fact that climate is less prominent in the public debate than a few years ago, the dissatisfaction On policy. At a time when Belgium must decide whether to maintain or strengthen a series of key milestones in the fight against climate change, including the European target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, the public message is clear: a large majority of the population is calling for greater ambition. Sixty-nine percent believe the current climate policy is inadequate, a significant increase compared to last year.

"In the White House sits a president who describes climate policy as a hoax. In Europe, the Green Deal is being stripped down to its bare bones. And in Belgium, politicians continue to pump millions of euros in subsidies into fossil fuel companies," says Hertogen. Yet, Belgians cling to the necessity of climate policy, and more than six in ten say: this doesn't go far enough. Society demands acceleration, not stagnation and deceleration. How many more climate marches are needed?"

More figures:

• 69% finds current policy inadequate, an increase of 10 percentage points compared to 2024.
• 57% is in favor of phasing out fossil subsidies in Belgium
• 76% recognizes human responsibility for climate change 

• 58% continues to support the European Green Deal, with 30% even calling for it to be strengthened, despite attacks from conservative quarters. 
   

   

Migration: Support for humanity remains robust 
 

While the political debate on migration intensifies and European policy increasingly focuses on deterrence and closed borders, the Belgian population remains remarkably solidary with people on the run. The numbers speak for themselves: a large majority wants solutions based on human rights, international cooperation, and equitable sharing of responsibility.

So is 71% of the Belgians in favor of a balanced distribution of people applying for asylum across the European member states, based on population size and economic capacity. In Flanders, that figure even reaches 74%.

The federal and Flemish halt to resettlement programs—one of the few safe migration channels—is also clashing with public support. 61% want safe and legal migration routes, based on clear criteria. This figure is rising among CD&V and Vooruit supporters.

Despite the harsh discourse we often hear, Belgians remain consistent in their solidarity year after year. They want a migration policy that offers protection to those in need. The call for humane solutions is much greater than the debate suggests.

More figures:

• 55% of the Belgians support regularization and work permits for undocumented immigrants who have integrated.
• 53% wants to invest more in the protection of refugees in conflict regions.
• 53% of Belgians believe that migration policy should unconditionally comply with human rights, with equal access to asylum for all. Only 20% disagree. 

The poll was conducted online between October 2 and October 21, 2025, by Dedicated Research among a representative sample of 1.518 Belgians aged 18 and older. The maximum margin of error is 2,11 percent.