Deaths in 2024 similar to the average number of deaths in 2021-2023
In 2024, 112,029 deaths were recorded in Belgium. This is comparable with 2023 when there were 111,255 deaths.
This represents a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2023. When compared with a broader reference period (i.e., 2021, 2022 and 2023), this represents a slight decrease of 1.1%.
No notable differences in trend can be seen between the regions. This is what emerges from the figures of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office.
This publication compares the number of deaths in 2024 with the average number of deaths for the period 2021-2022-2023. The year 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had an exceptional impact on deaths (cf. Figure), is therefore not taken into consideration.
Deaths decrease by 1.1% compared to the average for 2021-2023
With 112,029 deaths in 2024, there is a 0.7% increase compared to 2023. But a comparison with a wider reference period is more interesting. The number of deaths fluctuates indeed from year to year due to various factors, such as the intensity of the flu season, the measured summer temperatures or air pollution. The average for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 is 113,309 deaths. If we compare with that average, the number of deaths in 2024 is somewhat lower: 1.280 deaths less, representing a decrease of 1.1%.
Decrease in the Brussels-Capital Region and in the Walloon Region; stagnation in the Flemish Region
Behind the decrease in the number of deaths in Belgium are regional differences. Compared to 2023, the number of deaths decreased by 1.0% in Brussels and increased by 1.2% in Flanders and by 0.2% in Wallonia in 2024. For the broader reference period (2021-2023), we see a slight decrease in the number of deaths in 2024 (-1.1%). The decrease is most pronounced in the Brussels-Capital Region (-3.2%) and is also visible in the Walloon Region (-2.3%). In the Flemish Region, there was no decrease, but rather a stagnation in the number of deaths (-0.2%).
Table 1: Evolution of the number of deaths in Belgium and the regions from 2019 to 2024
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Evolution 2024 vs 2023 | Evolution 2024 vs 2021-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 108,745 | 126,850 | 112,291 | 116,380 | 111,255 | 112,029 | +0.7% | -1.1% |
| Flemish Region | 62,420 | 70,919 | 64,508 | 67,528 | 64,670 | 65,468 | +1.2% | -0.2% |
| Walloon Region | 37,409 | 44,947 | 38,934 | 39,938 | 38,002 | 38,061 | +0.2% | -2.3% |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 8,916 | 10,984 | 8,849 | 8,914 | 8,583 | 8,500 | -1.0% | -3.2% |
Compared to the 2021-2023 period, the number of deaths among the persons aged 85 and over is increasing
When comparing age groups, we see an increase mainly among persons aged 85 and over. Compared to the average for 2021-2023, the number of deaths among people over 85 increased by 1.3% in 2024. We also see an increase in the 0-24 age group, although it is very small (0.5%). We observe a decline in all other age groups: -4.9% among 25-44-year-olds, -6.4% among 45-64-year-olds, -3.3% among 65-74-year-olds and -1.2% among 75-84-year-olds.
The changing population structure plays an important role in the increase in the number of deaths among those over 85 in 2024. The number of people aged over 85 has been on the rise for quite a few years. Between 01/01/2018 and 01/01/2024, there was an increase of 9.2% in the number of people over 85. This partly explains why the number of deaths is rising among the over-85s. More in-depth analyses are needed to clarify the effect of the changing population structure on the number of deaths per age.
Table 2: Evolution of the number of deaths per age group from 2019 to 2024
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Evolution 2024 vs 2023 | Evolution 2024 vs 2021-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-24 years old | 957 | 887 | 897 | 901 | 845 | 885 | +4.7% | +0.5% |
| 25-44 years old | 2,129 | 2,175 | 2,275 | 2,199 | 2,125 | 2,092 | -1.6% | -4.9% |
| 45-64 years old | 13,139 | 13,950 | 13,373 | 13,096 | 12,365 | 12,122 | -2.0% | -6.4% |
| 65-74 years old | 17,690 | 20,170 | 19,421 | 19,103 | 18,057 | 18,240 | +1.0% | -3.3% |
| 75-84 years old | 28,244 | 33,562 | 30,035 | 30,240 | 29,219 | 29,479 | +0.9% | -1.2% |
| 85+ years old | 46,586 | 56,106 | 46,290 | 50,841 | 48,644 | 49,211 | +1.2% | +1.3% |
Especially lower mortality in spring and high summer
If we compare mortality by month, we see clear effects of periodicity. Historically, we see a lower number of deaths in the period around May-October. The deaths by month in 2024 - indicated by the red bullets - fit that historical pattern.
Table 3: Evolution of the number of deaths per month from 2018 to 2024
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10,360 | 10,468 | 10,217 | 10,698 | 10,452 | 11,176 | 11,217 |
| February | 10,089 | 9,766 | 9,387 | 8,952 | 9,847 | 9,363 | 9,780 |
| March | 12,202 | 9,998 | 11,586 | 9,349 | 10,519 | 10,239 | 9,551 |
| April | 8,971 | 8,901 | 15,449 | 9,468 | 10,310 | 8,797 | 9,095 |
| May | 8,559 | 8,829 | 9,449 | 9,201 | 9,137 | 8,876 | 8,654 |
| June | 7,793 | 8,276 | 7,992 | 8,150 | 8,726 | 8,635 | 8,757 |
| July | 8,918 | 8,755 | 8,004 | 8,467 | 9,004 | 8,231 | 8,821 |
| August | 8,499 | 8,242 | 9,847 | 8,274 | 9,196 | 8,413 | 8,683 |
| September | 8,044 | 8,003 | 8,189 | 8,309 | 8,613 | 8,439 | 8,439 |
| October | 8,666 | 8,888 | 10,752 | 9,772 | 9,646 | 9,096 | 9,389 |
| November | 8,729 | 8,867 | 14,035 | 10,304 | 9,010 | 9,248 | 9,123 |
| December | 9,815 | 9,752 | 11,943 | 11,347 | 11,920 | 10,742 | 10,520 |
Situation in historical data
Statbel has historical data with the number of deaths per year since 1841 and per month since 1919. With the historical dataset, we can also compare gross mortality rates. These are calculated as the ratio of the number of deaths to the total population. The gross mortality rate generally shows a downward trend. This trend was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 184 years observed since 1841, 2024 ranks 180nd with a gross mortality rate of 9.5 per mille. That is a lot better than the 147th place achieved in 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a rate of 11.0 per mille.
Purpose and brief description
General mortality statistics are compiled on the basis of data from the National Register of Natural Persons (RNPP). They make it possible to consolidate the statistics on causes of death, the source of which is the civil status forms. This statistic breaks down the deaths of people residing in Belgium according to sex, municipality of residence (district, province and region), month of death, civil status and nationality (Belgian or foreign). They also make it possible to calculate the gross mortality rate, i.e. the ratio between the number of deaths during the year and the population in the middle of that year.
Population
Inhabitants in Belgium
Periodicity
Annually
Release calendar
Results available 9 months after the reference period
Definitions
Age: Age is measured in completed years on 1 January.
Month of death: Month of death from the date of death
Mortality rate: Gross mortality rate (ratio between the number of deaths and the average population figure of the specified year)
Gender: Gender of the deceased
Nationality: Nationality (Belgian or foreign) of the deceased (on 1 January of the specified year).
Civil status: Civil status of the deceased