But teachers in Flanders work more unpaid hours than elsewhere, because only lessons are paid and not other work. On the other hand, working hours are more regular than in most other jobs, and work and family combine more easily (male teachers perform better than any other male worker on helping with household tasks).

Women are more present in the profession than elsewhere: 60% in teaching compared to 40-45% elsewhere. There are few immigrants (2% North African compared to 4-5% elsewhere) and fully half of all teachers do not expect to be promoted in their career. Few, as a consequence, consider promotion and competition to be important factors; instead, most value aspects such as creativity, family-work balance, autonomy and job security.

Despite what are described as "flat" career prospects, teachers are reluctant to quit: in the decade from 1991 to 2001 only 12% left the profession, compared to 29% in other fields of work. At the same time, however, the influx of new teachers from other work sectors is "worryingly low," the report said.