Some 64% of Belgians fear not being able to pay their energy bills, according to the Grand Barometer Le Soir-RTL-Ipsos relayed by the daily on Monday. It is in the south of the country that this fear is most significant since 73% of Walloons live in this fear (compared to 59% of Flemings and 70% of Brussels residents). Faced with this surge in prices and the fear of not being able to cope financially, a majority of Belgians say they have changed certain behaviors. Nearly eight out of ten respondents say they use “less electricity, gas, water or heating fuel”.
The impact of high energy prices also affects other parts of life. Undoubtedly deemed less essential, hobbies thus clink glasses, like savings. According to the survey, more than 40% of respondents say they have had to “dip into their savings” or borrow to meet unforeseen energy expenses.
Finally, one out of three Belgians – but four out of ten in Brussels and Wallonia – admits that the rise in energy prices has prompted them to cut back on their health care expenditure.
Note that the survey for this Grand Barometer was carried out before the announcements of new aid made at the end of last week.