From 2009 to 2022, the average duration of marriage was on an overall rise in Belgium. In 2022, the average duration of a marriage in Belgium was 15.2 years. Although the rise was modest, similar figures were found in the Netherlands, thus showing a similar tendency. From a regional perspective, marriage duration was higher in the region of Wallonia than in Flanders. However, the Brussels-Capital region registered the lowest average duration of marriages. Regardless of duration, Belgium’s townhalls registered around 33 thousand marriages in 2020.

What are the terms of marriage in Belgium?

There are four conditions regulating marriage in Belgium. Firstly, regarding the maturity required to perform this important act, the minimum age to get married is 18 years of age. Secondly, both partners must clearly express their consent. Although a person under protected status cannot legally give consent, a judge can still allow the marriage. Thirdly, future spouses must not be closely related. Therefore, they must not be relatives in a direct ascending or descending line (parents and children). Moreover, they must not be relatives in a collateral line to the third degree (siblings, uncles and aunts with nieces and nephews, first-grade cousins). Finally, Belgium strictly prohibits bigamy, a person may not get married if he or she is already married. This rule also applies to foreigners marrying in Belgium who come from a country where this is legal. Furthermore, either one of the future spouses must be Belgian or living in the country for over three months, with proof. Since June 2003, marriages are authorized between same-sex couples.

Rights and obligations concerning marriage in Belgium

In 2018, more than half of Belgians felt that marriage was simply not for them or just a piece of paper. Nonetheless, getting married in Belgium comes with certain rights and obligations. These duties relate to cohabitation, fidelity, and from a moral perspective, care and assistance. Although a decline was registered in the country from 2007 to 2020 over 21.3 thousand divorces were pronounced in 2020. In Belgium, spouses can file for divorce by mutual consent. Divorce can also be introduced on the grounds of inconsolable differences. Such differences are deemed inconsolable when it is reasonably impossible for the spouses to live together.

In 2023, the population of Belgium numbered around 11.7 million. Most of these inhabitants lived in the Dutch-speaking Flemish Region, which was home to nearly half of Belgium’s population. The Walloon Region, broadly in line with the French-speaking part of Belgium, numbered roughly 3.68 million inhabitants, and another 1.24 million lived in Brussels and the surrounding areas (which are bilingual).  

 Population density by region 

Despite having the lowest number of inhabitants, the Brussels-Capital Region had the highest population density, at nearly 7,400 inhabitants per square kilometer in 2017. By comparison, this was less than 500 inhabitants in Flanders and just 214 in Wallonia.  

GDP per region  

Wallonia was not just the region with the lowest number of inhabitants per square kilometer, it also had the lowest GDP per capita. In 2019, the most recent available year, GDP per capita reached 30,236 euros in this region. In contrast, GDP per capita was nearly 2.5 times as high in Brussels, at 71,412 euros per capita.

Belgium BE: Population: Total data was reported at 11,787,423.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,680,210.000 Person for 2022. Belgium BE: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 10,024,822.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,787,423.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 9,153,489.000 Person in 1960. Belgium BE: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics; (4) United Nations Statistics Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years).;Sum;Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Belgium Population: Brussels: Age: 0 to 19 data was reported at 239,819.000 Person in 2004. This records an increase from the previous number of 236,920.000 Person for 2003. Belgium Population: Brussels: Age: 0 to 19 data is updated yearly, averaging 222,126.500 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2004, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 239,819.000 Person in 2004 and a record low of 218,338.000 Person in 1993. Belgium Population: Brussels: Age: 0 to 19 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.G001: Population. Changed data scope Replacement series ID: 403966247

Belgium population data 2022 at municipality level - 740+ attributes: gender, age bands, marital status, nationality, and more

Belgium Population: Flemish Region data was reported at 6,821.770 Person th in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,774.807 Person th for 2022. Belgium Population: Flemish Region data is updated yearly, averaging 5,824.628 Person th from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,821.770 Person th in 2023 and a record low of 5,064.000 Person th in 1961. Belgium Population: Flemish Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.G001: Population.

The total population in Belgium was estimated at 11.9 million people in 2025, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Belgium Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Belgium Population: Age: 20 to 64 data was reported at 6,232,311.000 Person in 2004. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,207,845.000 Person for 2003. Belgium Population: Age: 20 to 64 data is updated yearly, averaging 6,088,507.500 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2004, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,232,311.000 Person in 2004 and a record low of 6,002,620.000 Person in 1989. Belgium Population: Age: 20 to 64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.G001: Population. Changed data scope Replacement series ID: 403966167

Complete population data for Belgium showing how many people live in Belgium from 1960 to 2024

Historical dataset showing total population for Belgium by year from 1950 to 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Belgium (SPPOPGROWBEL) from 1961 to 2024 about Belgium, population, and rate.

The state of Belgium owes its name to Julius Caesar, who used the name "Belgium" to refer to the region in his narrative "The Gallic Wars". After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the region emerged as a cosmopolitan trading center, and was a collection of smaller duchies and states (such as Flanders and Brabant), before modern history saw control of the region pass between France, the Netherlands and (to a lesser extent) Spain. Modern day Belgium emerged in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution when it gained independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Throughout this time, the Belgian region was the setting of many conflicts between other European powers, which greatly affected the population development and demography of the area. From 1800 until the First world War, the population of Belgium grew steadily, and more than doubled in the nineteenth century. The World Wars Population growth stagnated in the 1910s, as a result of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic. Belgium was one of the focal points of military action in the war, and many military personnel from other nations also lost their lives here during the conflict. Much of the Second World War also took place in Belgium, and although it remained neutral at the outbreak of both wars, it was invaded twice by Germany due to its strategic importance. Belgium suffered an estimated 88,000 fatalities during the war; with many further military fatalities from other nations also perishing in the region. Continuous growth From 1950 onwards, Belgium's population grows at a relatively consistent rate, to more than ten million people the year 2000. Since the turn of the millennium, a positive net migration rate and higher life expectancy has meant that Belgium's population has grown even faster rate than in the twentieth century. Today, Belgium has a very high standard of living, and the capital city of Brussels is home to the headquarters of many international institutions, particularly the European Union.

Belgium BE: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 383.033 Person/sq km in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 379.950 Person/sq km for 2021. Belgium BE: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 363.903 Person/sq km from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 383.033 Person/sq km in 2022 and a record low of 337.957 Person/sq km in 2000. Belgium BE: Population Density: People per Square Km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.;Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.;Weighted average;

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the data for the Belgium, WI population pyramid, which represents the Belgium population distribution across age and gender, using estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates. It lists the male and female population for each age group, along with the total population for those age groups. Higher numbers at the bottom of the table suggest population growth, whereas higher numbers at the top indicate declining birth rates. Furthermore, the dataset can be utilized to understand the youth dependency ratio, old-age dependency ratio, total dependency ratio, and potential support ratio.

Key observations

• Youth dependency ratio, which is the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Belgium, WI, is 18.5.
• Old-age dependency ratio, which is the number of persons aged 65 or over per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Belgium, WI, is 41.1.
• Total dependency ratio for Belgium, WI is 59.6.
• Potential support ratio, which is the number of youth (working age population) per elderly, for Belgium, WI is 2.4.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates.

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group for the Belgium population analysis. Total expected values are 18 and are define above in the age groups section.
• Population (Male): The male population in the Belgium for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Population (Female): The female population in the Belgium for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Total Population: The total population of the Belgium for the selected age group is shown in the following column.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Belgium Population by Age. You can refer the same here

Comprehensive demographic dataset for Belgium, WI, US including population statistics, household income, housing units, education levels, employment data, and transportation with year-over-year changes.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Belgium population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Belgium across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Belgium was 2,495, a 1.13% increase year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Belgium population was 2,467, an increase of 0.94% compared to a population of 2,444 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Belgium increased by 786. In this period, the peak population was 2,495 in the year 2023. The numbers suggest that the population has not reached its peak yet and is showing a trend of further growth. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Belgium is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Belgium population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Belgium Population by Year. You can refer the same here

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Belgium (POPTOTBEA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Belgium and population.

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Belgium including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

Belgium Population: Brussels: Male: Age: 0 to 19 data was reported at 122,188.000 Person in 2004. This records an increase from the previous number of 120,708.000 Person for 2003. Belgium Population: Brussels: Male: Age: 0 to 19 data is updated yearly, averaging 113,359.500 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2004, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 122,188.000 Person in 2004 and a record low of 111,180.000 Person in 1993. Belgium Population: Brussels: Male: Age: 0 to 19 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Directorate-General Statistics - Statistics Belgium. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.G001: Population. Changed data scope Replacement series ID: 403966277

Yearly (annual) dataset of the Belgium Population, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1960-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.