What is BELMOD?

The BELMOD model is a microsimulation model developed during the BELMOD project, funded by the European Commission. The Belgian EUROMOD-model served as the basis. EUROMOD is a static, non-behavioural microsimulation model for taxes and social benefits for 27 EU member states and the UK.

The BELMOD model runs on an administrative input dataset. This input dataset contains the socio-economic data of the year 2019 of about 473.500 households, or 1.410.000 individuals – about 12,2 % of the Belgian population. The sample is disproportionately stratified in order to generate reliable results for both the national and regional levels (including the Brussels Capital Region and the German-speaking region). The main data source is the Data Warehouse Labour Market & Social Protection (DWH LM & SP) of the Crossroads Bank for Social Security (CBSS). In addition, the input dataset includes data from the IPCAL database of the FPS Finance (tax data) and the STIPAD/CADNET database (real estate information).

This level of detail on income and benefit information allows for relatively accurate simulations. With this input data, it was also possible to further extend the Belgian EUROMOD model. Several policy domains such as the income support can be simulated in more detail. Besides, new policy domains were added, such as allowances for persons with disabilities (income replacement allowance and integration allowance).

More information on the content of the input dataset and BELMOD-specific policy domains can be found at documentation.

To allow partners to access the model and the input dataset via a secure connection, a Remote Access was developed.