After a temporary slowdown in activity, the prospects for the coming year remain good. Most institutions agree in predicting a growth rate of the order of 3 p.c. for the euro area and for Belgium. Though this is not as high as in 2000, it is still very satisfactory in historical terms.
Ninety-seven percent of topearning families with children own a home, compared with fewer than half of the bottom 50 percent of families with children; educational attainment of parents is strongly predictive of outcomes for children that determine earnings.