Family nuclei: shedding new light on the structure of Belgian families
Following the publication of the 39 indicators from the Census 2021, Statbel is expanding its data offer with the publication of six new indicators on family nuclei. These new indicators shed new light on family structures in Belgium, distinct from the traditional household concept.
Family nuclei make it possible to analyse in greater detail the relationships between members of the same family, outside the strict framework of the household. A family nucleus consists of two or more persons who live in the same household. At least one of the relationships is:
- spouses
- partners in a registered partnership
- partners in de facto cohabitation or
- parent(s) and child(ren).
So a family nucleus can be a couple without children, a couple with one or several children (at least one of the partner is the parent) or a single parent with one or several children.
Belgium has just under 3,215,000 family nuclei: 60% in Flanders, 31% in Wallonia and 9% in the Brussels-Capital Region. Family nuclei have on average 2.9 persons. In Flanders and in Wallonia, this figure is the same as at national level. However, in the Brussels-Capital Region, the average size of family nuclei is slightly larger (3.1 persons).
At Belgian level, 61% of family nuclei consist of a married couple, 9.5% of a couple in a registered partnership and 13.4% of a couple in de facto cohabitation, while 16.1% are single-parent families.
The lowest figures of married couples (between 44% and 47%) are found in the Brussels municipalities of Saint-Gilles and Ixelles, and in Colfontaine, Engis and Boussu. A very large majority of municipalities in Flanders show percentages above the national average.
The proportion of single-parent families is a little higher in Brussels (24%) than in Wallonia (20%) and Flanders (13%). While this figure is relatively homogeneous among Flemish municipalities, there are significant differences among Walloon municipalities. The provinces of Hainaut and Liège show high percentages, in particular in the municipalities around Mons, Charleroi and Liège, with a maximum of 29% in Colfontaine and Seraing.
The results can be accessed via dashboards and a separate be.stat cube, available here:
Discover the new indicators on family nuclei
The Census 2021 in a nutshell
The Census 2021 is a snapshot of the population living in Belgium on 1 January 2021. It provides a wide range of figures on housing and demographic, socio-economic and educational characteristics of the citizens. The objective of the Census is twofold: to comply with the European regulation[1] and to produce statistics to address national specific needs (public services, international organizations, researchers, enterprises and private individuals).
Previously based on an exhaustive survey of all citizens, since 2011 the Census has been based exclusively on the use of administrative databases.
Definitions
The various statistical units
Population
The population taken into account for the Census 2021 is the residential population, as registered in the National Register of Natural Persons (RNPP) on 1 January 2021. The Belgian population includes Belgians and non-Belgians who have been allowed or authorised to settle or to stay in Belgium but does not include non-Belgians living on the territory for less than three months, asylum seekers and non-Belgians in an illegal situation[2].
Age
The age reached in completed years of age on 1 January 2021.
Locality
A locality is defined as a distinct population cluster, that is an area defined by population living in neighbouring or contiguous buildings. This area constitutes a group of buildings, none of which is separated from its nearest neighbour by more than 200 meters.
The Belgian municipalities have changed between 2011 and 2021. In the comparisons shown on this website, the figures for 2011 are broken down according to the municipalities of 2021.
Family nuclei
A family nucleus is defined as two or more persons who belong to the same household and who are related as husband and wife, as partners in a registered partnership, as partners in a consensual union, or as parent and child.
Family status
The family concept limits relationships between children and adults to direct (first-degree) relationships, that is, between parents and children. Child (son/daughter) refers to a blood, step- or adopted son or daughter (regardless of age or marital status) who has usual residence in the household of at least one of the parents, and who has no partner or own children in the same household.
“Partners” shall include married couples, couples in registered partnerships, and couples who live in a consensual union.
Type of family nucleus
Specification of the family nucleus of each individual within the household.
Size of family nucleus
Number of persons within the family nucleus.
Remark
The comparison with the previous Census requires some caution: this publication is based on the Belgian population and the Census 2011 has as reference the European definition of the population.
Information on the difference between the Belgian population and the Census 2011 population
[1] COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/543 of 22 March 2017 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 763/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on population and housing censuses as regards the technical specifications of the topics and of their breakdowns.