The number of dwellings refers to the number of occupied conventional dwellings.
In Belgium, the number of occupied conventional dwellings amounts to 4.9 million, or almost385,000 more than in 2011. 57% are located in Flanders, 32% in Wallonia and 11% in the Brussels-Capital Region. This breakdown is similar to that of 2011.
This indicator measures the share of dwellings in buildings with only one dwelling compared to the total number of occupied conventional dwellings.
In Belgium, while 70% of occupied conventional dwellings were located in buildings with only one dwelling in 2011, this percentage decreased to 66% in 2021. This decrease is the same in the three regions. In Flanders, the figure drops from 75% in 2011 to 71% in 2021, in Wallonia from 78% to 74% and in the Brussels-Capital Region from 17% to 15%.
In the Brussels-Capital Region, as can be seen on the map, there are wide variations among municipalities. Eastern and southern municipalities are characterised by a high proportion of buildings with only one dwelling (47% in Watermael-Boitsfort, 38% in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and 34% in Auderghem). In the centre on the other hand, a low percentage of occupied dwellings is located in buildings with only one dwelling (3% in Saint-Gilles, 6% in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and in Ixelles).
Furthermore, the figures are particularly high in the municipalities along the French border. Conversely, the coast shows lower percentages.
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].
Private households
This group includes people living alone in a dwelling and groups of several people living in the same dwelling and providing themselves with essentials for living.
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.
Living quarters
Living quarters refer to all quarters used as the usual residence of one or several persons.
Conventional dwellings
Conventional dwellings are separate units (surrounded by walls and covered by a roof) that are independent (with a direct access from the street or a staircase, passage) and designed to be used as a permanent dwelling.
Occupied conventional dwellings
Occupied conventional dwellings are conventional dwellings used as the usual residence of one or several private households.
Variables and their description
Sex
This variable is used to distinguish men from women.
Age
The age reached in completed years of age on 1 January 2021.
Place of usual residence
The place of residence is that registered in the National Register on 1 January 2021. So this is the place of legal residence.
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.
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.
Type of living quarter
This variable makes it possible to distinguish, among living quarters, the occupied conventional dwellings from the collective living quarters and the other housing units.
Living quarters
Living quarters refer to all quarters used as the usual residence of one or several persons.
Conventional dwellings
Conventional dwellings are structurally separate and independent premises which are designed for permanent human habitation. At the census date, they can be either used as a residence, or vacant, or reserved for seasonal or secondary use.
Occupied conventional dwellings
Occupied conventional dwellings are conventional dwellings used as the usual residence of one or several private households.
Collective living quarters
Collective living quarters are designed for habitation by collective households as defined by the National Register.
Other housing units
Other housing units are shacks, caravans, mills or any other shelter used for human habitation, irrespective if it was designed for human habitation.
Dwellings by type of building
This variable refers to the number of dwellings in the building in which the dwelling is placed.
Occupancy status of conventional dwellings
This variable distinguishes occupied conventional dwellings from those unoccupied at the time of the census.
Housing conditions
This variable concerns the whole population and considers the type of dwelling in which a person is living at the time of the census.
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.
[2]Information on the difference between the Belgian population and the Census 2011 population.