What is the central index?
The central index is a threshold that decides when social benefits and government staff salaries are adjusted to rising living costs. As soon as the average of the health index over the last four months (the so-called flattened health index) goes above this threshold, these amounts are automatically increased by 2%.
Will the central index be exceeded again in 2026?
The central index (130.67) was exceeded in:
- December 2025 (130.67) with government salary adjustments in March, that is three months after the exceedance
- June 2026 (100.28 base year 2025) with government salary adjustments in September, applying the cent index.
According to the latest forecasts of the Federal Planning Bureau the central index is expected to be exceeded again in November 2026.
The central index (102.29, base year 2025) is therefore expected to be reached in November 2026
If the central index is exceeded, wages and social benefits increase by 2%, three months after the consumer price index exceedance. This means government staff salaries will only be adjusted by 2% in February.
Non-profit sectors
The non-profit sectors (such as nursing homes and day nurseries) also receive a 2% indexation. This adjustment happens in the first or second month after the central index is exceeded, depending on agreements made at sector level.
What is the impact on other amounts?
Besides this, there is also an increase in the GMMI, the work bonus, the flexi-wage in the hospitality sector, …
All these amounts can be found in our socio- and fiscal list.
Index forecast for JC 200
In joint committee no. 200, wages are indexed once a year in January. The indexation rules in JC 200 are therefore not linked to the central index.
In January 2026, wages in JC 200 were indexed by 2.21%.
The forecast for January 2027 currently stands at 4.32%.
Read more: 'Indexation rules JC 200'
For JC 200, the cent index will therefore be applied in January 2027.
Read more: "The cent index starts on 1 June 2026"
Index forecast in other sectors
Each sector sets its own indexation rules. Some sectors index once a year at a fixed time with a variable percentage, like 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 is JC 116 for manual workers and JC 207 for employees. Wages there were indexed by 2% in May 2026.
A next indexation is already expected again in November 2026. The cent index will also be applied then.
Check the rules in your sector via Joint Committees > Determining the wage > Indexation rules.
You can find the index forecasts here: Index forecasts | Securex
