On 01 January 2025, Belgium had 11,825,551 inhabitants
On 01 January 2025, Belgium[1] had 11,825,551 legal inhabitants. Between 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2025, the Belgian population grew by 0.52%, or 61,901 inhabitants. This is what emerges from the official figures of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office.
In 2024, Belgium experienced a population growth as more people moved to Belgium during that year than people left the country (positive international migration balance, +66,044). This offsets the negative natural balance (-3,879), due to a higher number of deaths than births in 2024. The statistical adjustment is limited[2] (-264). The Belgian population grows over the years but the factors leading to population growth change.
Population development in Belgium
The population grew by 0.52% or 61,901 inhabitants in 2024. In 2024, there were more deaths than births in Belgium, which results in a negative natural balance (-3,879). The natural balance has been falling for several years, because of a decline in the number of births, and an increase in deaths due to ageing. It is rather unusual that there are more deaths than births. A negative natural balance has resurfaced in 2020 (-13,111). That year was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed up the number of deaths. Then, in 2022, a negative natural balance was observed (-2,787), but before that we had to go back to the early ‘40s to find a negative natural balance again.
Just like in 2023[3], more people immigrated to Belgium in 2024 (194,212) than people emigrated[4] (128,168). As a result, the international migration balance, the difference between the two, was positive (+66,044) in 2024.
So, the population growth in 2024 in Belgium is the result of a positive international migration balance, which offsets the negative natural balance while still ensuring a population growth of 0.52% or 61,901 inhabitants.
Evolution of the population in the Flemish Region
The population in Flanders grew by 0.63% or 42,996 inhabitants in 2024. This is a slightly lower growth rate than in 2023 (0.69%).
61,781 births and 65,468 deaths were recorded in Flanders in 2024. The natural balance was therefore negative in 2024 (-3,687). Nevertheless, Flanders is experiencing a population growth due to both a strongly positive international migration balance (+32,995), with 94,367 immigrations offsetting 61,372 emigrations, and a positive internal migration balance (+13,926), with more people moving to Flanders from another region (37,455), than people moving from Flanders to another region (23,529).
The positive population growth in the Flemish Region in 2024 is therefore due to a positive internal migration balance and a positive international migration balance. These offset a negative natural balance.
Evolution of the population in the Walloon Region
Wallonia registered in 2024 a population growth of 0.34% or 12,707 inhabitants. This is a higher growth rate than in 2023 (0.29%).
The natural balance was negative in 2024 (-5,522). 32,539 births and 38,061 deaths were recorded that year. In addition, there was a positive international migration balance (+13,651). 45,578 immigrations and 31,927 emigrations were registered that year. The internal migration balance was also positive (+4,067). In 2024 there were more people moving from another region to Wallonia (24,324) than people moving from Wallonia to another region (20,257).
So, the population growth in 2024 in Wallonia is the result of a positive internal migration balance and a positive international migration balance. These migration balances offset a negative natural balance and also led to population growth.
Evolution of the population in the Brussels-Capital Region
The population in the Brussels-Capital Region grew by 0.49% or 6,198 inhabitants in 2024. That population growth is lower than in 2023 (0.68%).
Brussels was the only region where the natural balance remained positive in 2024 (+5,330), with 13,830 births and 8,500 deaths registered. Yet this balance is also decreasing in Brussels due to a decline in births.
The international migration balance was positive in 2024 (+19,398). In 2024, 54,267 immigrations and 34,869 emigrations were registered in Brussels. The internal migration balance was negative (-17,993). There were fewer people moving from another region to Brussels (25,109) than people moving from Brussels to another region in Belgium (43,102).
Population growth in the Brussels Capital Region in 2024 is therefore the result of a positive natural balance and a positive international migration balance. Those balances offset the negative internal migration balance.
Population growth over the years
The population grew over the years but the extent of the population growth itself fluctuated. There were some pronounced fluctuations, certainly in recent years. During 2020, Belgium experienced a small growth rate of 0.25%. In that year the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak: this, on the one hand, led to excess mortality, resulting in a negative natural balance. On the other hand, borders were also regularly closed, complicating international migration movements and resulting in a lower international migration balance. The impact of the pandemic was more limited in 2021 (0.54%). The following year saw strong population growth (0.98%), due to an increased international migration balance because of the war between Ukraine and Russia. The average annual population growth rate over the past 30 years (1994-2024) was 0.51%.
The Belgian population continued to grow over the years but the factors leading to population growth changed. Between 1994 and 2000, both the natural balance and the international migration balance drove population growth. From 2001 onwards, it was mainly the international migration balance that strongly stimulated population growth, even offsetting a negative natural balance in 2020 and since 2022.
Population growth in the provinces
The province with the highest relative growth in Belgium in 2024 was again Antwerp with a population growth of 0.75%. The four other provinces of the top 5 are all in the Flemish Region. East Flanders ranks second (0.69%), followed by Flemish Brabant (0.65%), Limburg (0.54%) and West Flanders (0.42%).
The five provinces with the lowest growth are located in the Walloon Region. These provinces all register a positive population growth: Namur (0.29%), Luxembourg (0.29%), Walloon Brabant (0.30%), Liège (0.35%), and finally Hainaut (0.39%).
Population movement in 2024 in Belgium, the regions and the provinces
| Place of residence | Population on 1 January 2024 | Natural balance | Internal migration balance | International migration balance | Statistical adjustment | Total growth | Population on 1 January 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 11,763,650 | -3,879 | / | +66,044 | -264 | +61,901 | 11,825,551 |
| Flemish Region | 6,821,770 | -3,687 | +13,926 | +32,995 | -238 | +42,996 | 6,864,766 |
| Walloon Region | 3,692,283 | -5,522 | +4,067 | +13,651 | +511 | +12,707 | 3,704,990 |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 1,249,597 | +5,330 | -17,993 | +19,398 | -537 | +6,198 | 1,255,795 |
| German-speaking Community | 79,479 | -51 | -196 | +310 | -5 | +58 | 79,537 |
| Province of Antwerp | 1,906,942 | +1,590 | +765 | +11,994 | -102 | +14,247 | 1,921,189 |
| Province of Limburg | 900,098 | -1,132 | +1,241 | +4,652 | +60 | +4,821 | 904,919 |
| Province of East Flanders | 1,591,582 | -766 | +4,469 | +7,309 | -62 | +10,950 | 1,602,532 |
| Province of Flemish Brabant | 1,196,773 | +25 | +4,239 | +3,692 | -188 | +7,768 | 1,204,541 |
| Province of West Flanders | 1,226,375 | -3,404 | +3,212 | +5,348 | +54 | +5,210 | 1,231,585 |
| Province of Walloon Brabant | 414,130 | -559 | +1,294 | +617 | -101 | +1,251 | 415,381 |
| Province of Hainaut | 1,360,074 | -2,388 | +2,982 | +3,998 | +662 | +5,254 | 1,365,328 |
| Province of Liège | 1,119,038 | -1,600 | -13 | +5,525 | -25 | +3,887 | 1,122,925 |
| Province of Luxembourg | 295,146 | -75 | -658 | +1,595 | + | +862 | 296,008 |
| Province of Namur | 503,895 | -900 | +462 | +1,916 | -25 | +1,453 | 505,348 |
Population structure on 1 January 2025
The legal population in Belgium amounts to 11,825,551 inhabitants on 1 January 2025 and consists of slightly more women (5,995,529) than men (5,830,022). So, there are 97 men for every 100 women.
Inhabitants of Belgium are on average 42 years old. This average increased in recent years. In 1995, it was 38 years. On 1 January 2025, 60% or 7,099,466 inhabitants were aged 18 to 64. There were 19.6% or 2,320,770 minors and 20.3% (2,405,315 inhabitants) persons aged 65 and over. Compared to 1995, the share of people under 18 years of age is decreasing (21.7%), and the share of persons aged 65 and over is increasing (15.8%). So, we can say that Belgium is ageing. This can also be seen in the increase in the old age dependency ratio.[1] In 2025, the old age dependency ratio was 35.3%. This means that for every person aged 65 and over, there are just under three people aged 20 to 64. In 1995 this was 26.2%. At that time, there were just under four people aged 20 to 64 for every person aged 65 and over. The young age dependency ratio[2], the ratio between the persons aged 0 to 19 and the group aged 20 to 64, fell slightly. This ratio decreased from 40.0% in 1995 to 38.1% in 2025.
Elderly people are also living longer, and so the proportion of people aged 80 and over is growing. In 2025, the share of people aged 80 and over was 5.6% of the total population. In 1995 this was 3.8%. The intensity of ageing, calculated here as the ratio of people aged 80 and over to people aged 65 and over, increased from 24.2% in 1995 to 27.6% in 2025.
The age distribution varies between the regions as shown in the population pyramid. In the Flemish and Walloon regions, we see a narrow base of the population pyramid, reflecting a lower birth rate. Population size remains relatively stable between successive age groups, with a narrower base and a wider top, which is typical of an ageing population. The Brussels Capital Region's age pyramid doesn’t fit that pattern. Although the base here too is narrow, the largest population group is the young adults, particularly in the 25-29 and 30-34 age groups. Differences can also be seen within the Belgian population. Among people without Belgian nationality, we see a narrow base, a concentration in the 30-39 age group, and a relatively narrow top.
- The data come from the National Register. The official population figures do not take into account the waiting register of asylum seekers, which comprises people with an ongoing asylum application (Law of 24 May 1994 establishing a waiting register for foreigners who declare themselves refugees or who ask to be recognised as refugees). However, the figures published by Eurostat contain an estimate of people entered in the waiting register.
- A limited number of registrations in the National Register are late or incorrect. Therefore, the observed population growth (difference between the population on 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2023) is not 100% in line with the balance obtained based on births, deaths and migrations. The statistical adjustment this year amounts to +801 units at Belgian level. This is an indication that the data are of high quality.
- International immigration consists of three movements:
- classic international immigration,
- change of register ‘in’ (transfer from the waiting register to the register of foreigners) and
- re-registration (following an automatic deletion).
- International emigration consists of three movements:
- classic international emigration,
- change of register ‘out’ (transfer to the waiting register) and
- automatic deletion.
- ratio of people aged 65 and over to persons aged 20 to 64 (labour force)
- ratio of persons aged 0 to 19 to persons aged 20 to 64 (labour force)
| Place of residence | Population on 1 January 2024 | Natural balance | Internal migration balance | International migration balance | Statistical adjustment | Total growth | Population on 1 January 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 11,763,650 | -3,879 | / | +66,044 | -264 | +61,901 | 11,825,551 |
| Flemish Region | 6,821,770 | -3,687 | +13,926 | +32,995 | -238 | +42,996 | 6,864,766 |
| Walloon Region | 3,692,283 | -5,522 | +4,067 | +13,651 | +511 | +12,707 | 3,704,990 |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 1,249,597 | +5,330 | -17,993 | +19,398 | -537 | +6,198 | 1,255,795 |
| German-speaking Community | 79,479 | -51 | -196 | +310 | -5 | +58 | 79,537 |
| Place of residence | Population on 1 January 2024 | Natural balance | Internal migration balance | International migration balance | Statistical adjustment | Total growth | Population on 1 January 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Province of Antwerp | 1,906,942 | +1,590 | +765 | +11,994 | -102 | +14,247 | 1,921,189 |
| Province of Limburg | 900,098 | -1,132 | +1,241 | +4,652 | +60 | +4,821 | 904,919 |
| Province of East Flanders | 1,591,582 | -766 | +4,469 | +7,309 | -62 | +10,950 | 1,602,532 |
| Province of Flemish Brabant | 1,196,773 | +25 | +4,239 | +3,692 | -188 | +7,768 | 1,204,541 |
| Province of West Flanders | 1,226,375 | -3,404 | +3,212 | +5,348 | +54 | +5,210 | 1,231,585 |
| Province of Walloon Brabant | 414,130 | -559 | +1,294 | +617 | -101 | +1,251 | 415,381 |
| Province of Hainaut | 1,360,074 | -2,388 | +2,982 | +3,998 | +662 | +5,254 | 1,365,328 |
| Province of Liège | 1,119,038 | -1,600 | -13 | +5,525 | -25 | +3,887 | 1,122,925 |
| Province of Luxembourg | 295,146 | -75 | -658 | +1,595 | + | +862 | 296,008 |
| Province of Namur | 503,895 | -900 | +462 | +1,916 | -25 | +1,453 | 505,348 |
Purpose and brief description
The population movement contains statistics that make it possible to explain the evolution of the residential population, as registered in the National Register of Natural Persons (RNPP).
These statistics concern the change in the residential population, as registered in the National Register of Natural Persons (RNPP), during one reference year. The Belgian population is composed of Belgians and non-Belgians admitted or authorised to settle or stay on the territory, but does not include non-Belgians who stay on the territory for less than 3 months, asylum seekers and non-Belgians in an irregular situation. (Law of 19 July 1991 and law of 1 February 1995)
The number of inhabitants evolves during the year following a number of events, also called “movements”. At Belgian level, the following movements are responsible for a change in the number of inhabitants: births, deaths, international migrations (both immigration and emigration) and changes of nationality. The same movements can also be identified at a lower geographical level, for example at municipal level. At this lower level, an additional movement can be examined: a change of residence in Belgium, which is also called an internal migration.
The changes in the residential population can be derived from the RNPP that is managed by the FPS Home Affairs. The RNPP is an information system and ensures the registration, the storage and the communication of people’s identification data. These data are collected by the municipalities (and the Immigration Office for some categories). The information in the National Register is organised in “information types (IT)”, i.e. the various parts of the legal information. The population movement is determined based on these information types. Statbel is authorised to receive every year some ITs from the National Register in order to fulfil its statistical mission. More information on the various information types in the RNPP is available on the website of the FPS Home Affairs, Directorate General for Institutions and Population.
More figures on international migration movements are available in the theme “migration” on Statbel’s website.
More figures on nationality changes are available in the theme “changes of nationality” on Statbel’s website.
Population
Inwoners in België
Frequency
Yearly.
Timing of publication
Results available 6 months after the reference period
Description of the various population movements
Natural balance
The natural balance of the population is calculated as the number of births minus the number of deaths recorded during a whole reference year. When the number of births is higher than the number of deaths, the natural balance is positive.
Information regarding the number of births can be derived from IT100, the place of birth. In order to determine the number of births during the reference year, the date of birth is taken into account. This date should be in the reference year concerned. The place of birth is also taken into account. The birth must have taken place in a Belgian municipality.
Information on the number of deaths is derived from IT150, place and date of death. In order to determine the number of deaths during the reference year, the date of death and the place where the person was registered at the time of death are taken into account. The death is only taken into account if the person was officially staying in a Belgian municipality (and therefore belonged to the residential population) at the time of death.
Internal migration Balance
The internal migration balance can only be calculated at sub-Belgian level. It concerns people who move out of a municipality to another municipality in Belgium. Such a move can at the same time include moves between arrondissements, provinces and even regions. When more people move in a municipality during the reference year than out of it, the internal migration balance is positive.
Information on the residence is available in the RNPP under IT001 municipality of residence and IT020 address of the main residence. In order to obtain the internal migration balance at municipal level, IT001 suffices to identify the moves between Belgian municipalities.
However, knowing the exact address allows for other applications: for example, the number of moves within the same municipality can be identified, which makes it possible to determine, among other things, the total number of moves in Belgium. In big cities, even moves between various sectors can eventually be identified. See metadata internal migration.
International Migration Balance
The international migration balance is calculated as the number of international immigrations minus the number of international emigrations that have taken place during the reference year. When the number of international immigrations is higher than that of international emigrations, the international migration balance is positive.
International immigration is composed of three distinct movements:
- International immigration, available since 1992: IT001, or the municipality of residence is used. A person is considered as an immigrant in Belgium if:
a. A registration in a Belgian municipality is available, where the previous registration under IT001 refers to a stay abroad, or;
b. This is the very first registration in a Belgian municipality that took place at a later date than the date of birth.
A person can immigrate to Belgium only once in the current year. This is why IT210, or the mention of the register, is also used to select the correct arrival date. - Re-registration, available since 1992: when a person has been automatically deleted, but later re-registers in a Belgian municipality, we speak of a re-registration. A person is considered as re-registered if:
a. A registration in a Belgian municipality is available, where the previous registration under IT001 refers to a deletion of the person, and;
b. A time component is also applicable: a person is only considered as deleted if a new registration in a Belgian municipality takes place after 1st March in the following year. If the deletion and re-registration are close to each other, the person is neither considered as deleted nor as re-registered. - Change of register (in), available since 2000: when an asylum seeker is recognized, he is transferred from the waiting register to the register of foreigners. This information is available under IT210, mention of the register.
International emigration is also composed of three distinct movements:
- Emigration, available since 1992: IT001, or the municipality of residence is used. A person is considered as an emigrant when this person has been registered, during the reference year, as living abroad and where the previous registration under IT001 refers to a stay in a Belgian municipality.
- Automatic deletion, available since 1992: IT001, or the municipality of residence is used. A person is considered as automatically deleted when this person has been deleted during the reference year and where the previous registration under IT001 refers to a stay in a Belgian municipality. A time component is also taken into account: the person is only considered as deleted when this person has not been registered in a Belgian municipality before 1st March of the following year.
- Changes of register (out), available since 2010: IT210, or the mention of the register, is used. These are people who, during the year, are transferred from any register to the waiting register. These are usually people who are transferred from the register of foreigners to the waiting register.
Statistical Adjustmensts
Ideally, the sum of the various balances should be equal to the change in the population size that we observe between the year Y and the year Y+1. In other words, the population on 1st January of year Y+1 is equal to the sum of the population on 1st January in year Y, the natural balance, the internal migration balance and the international migration balance during year Y.
However, in practice, this is rarely the case. The difference between both is calculated and is called the statistical adjustment. The statistical adjustment gives an indication of the quality for the population figures. The statistical adjustments are in the order of a thousand units. Out of a total of hundreds of thousands of registrations that determine the population movement throughout the year, this can be called a minimum error rate.
Changes of nationalities
The acquisition and granting of the Belgian nationality are complex legal matters. Statbel’s approach for the calculation of nationality changes is very simple: someone changes his/her nationality when his/her nationality as registered under IT031 of the RNPP changes.
Therefore, we only take into account the people for whom another nationality was already registered. Persons who acquire the Belgian nationality when no previous nationality has been registered are not included in these statistics.
This definition, although without any real legal content, covers a large number of legal categories from the Code of Belgian Nationality (naturalisation, acquisition by declaration, etc.). The condition of having a previous nationality means that a number of situations are not included in this statistic. This is largely the case, for example, when the Belgian nationality is granted based on the nationality of the father or the mother (Art. 8 of the Law of 4 December 2012 and previous laws). Usually, no previous nationality is registered in this case.
The nationality is registered in the National Register under “information type 031”. For more information about the acquisition of the nationality and the “information type 031”, please visit the websites of the FPS Home Affairs - Directorate General for Institutions and Population and of the FPS Justice.
Growth and index
The growth is the absolute change in the number of inhabitants. In other words, it is equal to the sum of the various balances, i.e. the natural balance, the internal migration balance and the international migration balance. A positive figure indicates a growth of the population, a negative figure refers to a decline in the population.
The index in year Y is calculated as follows: the growth in the reference year Y is divided by the population on 1st January in the year Y and multiplied by 100 (the population growth rate during the year Y). This figure is then added to 100. An index higher than 100 refers to a population growth, an index lower than 100 indicates a population decline. The farther the number is from 100, the sharper is the growth or decline of the population.