What is the central index?
The central index serves as a benchmark for determining when social benefits and government salaries are adjusted for inflation. If the average of the last four months of the health index (referred to as the 'flattened' health index) exceeds the central index, the respective amounts will increase by 2 percent.
Will the central index still be exceeded in 2025?
The central index (130.67) was surpassed in January 2025.
Read more: "The central index was exceeded in January 2025"
According to the latest forecasts from the Federal Planning Bureau, the central index is not anticipated to be exceeded in 2025.
- The central index (133.28) is not expected to be reached until February 2026.
If the central index is exceeded, wages and social benefits will increase by 2%.
However, if the latest predictions hold true, then social benefits and the salaries of government personnel will not increase in 2025.
Furthermore, the federal government has stipulated in the Easter agreement that pensions and benefits will not be indexed in the first month following the exceeding of the central index, but only after three months. Salaries of civil servants will also be indexed only after three months. In light of this agreement, social benefits and the salaries of government personnel will only be adjusted by 2% in May 2026.
Non-profit sectors
The non-profit sectors (such as nursing homes and childcare facilities) will also receive an indexation of 2%. This adjustment will occur in the first or second month following the exceeding of the central index, in accordance with agreements made at the sector level.
The social partners have issued a unanimous opinion in the NAR to ensure that the government's decision to index only three months later would not adversely affect the non-profit sectors.
Social benefits and other amounts
If the central index is exceeded, unemployment benefits will also increase.
Additionally, there will be increases in the GMMI, the work bonus, the flex wage in the hospitality sector, and other related amounts.
All these amounts can be found in our socio- and fiscal list.
Index forecast for Joint Committee 200
In Joint Committee No. 200, wages are indexed annually in January. The indexation rules in JC 200 are therefore not linked to the central index.
In January 2025, wages in JC 200 were indexed by 3.58%.
The forecast for January 2026 currently stands at 2.23%.
Read more: 'Indexation rules JC 200'
Index forecast in other sectors
Each sector establishes its own indexation rules. Some sectors index once a year at a fixed time with a variable percentage, similar to JC 200. Other sectors index at a variable time but with a fixed percentage.
An example of the latter system is the chemical sector. This includes JC 116 for manual workers and JC 207 for white-collar workers. In this sector, wages will be indexed by 2% in April 2025.
The next index adjustment is not expected until September 2026.
Check the rules in your sector via Joint Committees > Determining wages > Indexation rules.
