A record 77,951 individuals enrolled in Dutch language courses in Flanders in 2023.

Mandatory integration courses accounted for 12,100 of these newcomers from non-EU countries.

Jo De Ro of the Integration Agency refutes the notion that non-Dutch speakers in Flanders are unwilling to learn the language.

Motivations for learning Dutch include workplace communication, supporting children's education, and engaging in community life.

The surge in integration contracts has resulted in increased wait times for language courses.

The Social Interpreting and Translating Service saw a high demand with 142,400 requests, yet one-third of these could not be met.