In 2022, the migration balance in Belgium stood at 116,500, meaning that the number of immigrants moving to Belgium outnumbered the number of people leaving the country by about 116,500. This was an increase in comparison to the previous year and was the highest in this time period. It was also similar compared to neighboring country the Netherlands, which in 2021 had a positive migration balance of 107,200.

 Regional differences in Belgium  

Within Belgium, there were marked regional differences as well. The Flemish Region, the Dutch-speaking part of the country, had a migration balance of around 20,098 in 2020. By comparison, the migration balance of the French-speaking Walloon Region was roughly one third of this, at just over 8,000.

Opinions on immigration in Belgium  

Between 2011 and 2018, Ipsos surveyed opinions on immigration in Belgium multiple times. The share of respondents who believe immigration has a positive impact on the country was continuously low though, never reaching above 16 percent. On a more positive note though, this peak was reached in the most recent survey, held at the end of 2018. Surveys from 2011 and 2013 saw considerable fewer positive responses of nine and eight percent respectively. After 2013, the share of respondents positive about immigration remained above ten percent in all years, until it reached its peak in 2018.

Belgium BE: Net Migration data was reported at 36,243.000 Person in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 41,679.000 Person for 2023. Belgium BE: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging 18,243.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 118,615.000 Person in 2022 and a record low of 1,100.000 Person in 1982. Belgium BE: Net Migration 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. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.;United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision.;Sum;

Belgium has a multicultural landscape; a variety of nationalities coexist in the country. Brussels houses most of the European Union institutions. This is the reason behind the nickname "capital of Europe". In 2020, over one million foreigners were living in the country. Of the variety of nationalities in Belgium, three main origins were present on its soil. In 2020, around 485,340 people originated from France, Italy, or the Netherlands.

The migration flow in Belgium

Migration has always been part of human history. However, it is still one of society's most controversial topics. Nowadays, immigration within the European Union is primarily influenced by economic reasons. In 2020, the migration flow amounted to about 117,500 people coming to Belgium. Meanwhile, 55,769 nationals emigrated abroad.

Belgian’s views on immigration

Although Belgium has known many migration waves in its past, views on the matter still divide. In 2017, opinions in Belgium on immigrants coming from outside the EU were varied. Nonetheless, the fifth most common origin of foreigners in Belgium was Moroccan. In recent years, more than 60 percent of Belgians believed too many immigrants lived in the country. However, Belgians regarded EU citizens immigrating to their country positively.

Belgium BE: Number of Migrants: Net data was reported at 35,251.000 Person in 2050. This records an increase from the previous number of 35,215.000 Person for 2049. Belgium BE: Number of Migrants: Net data is updated yearly, averaging 35,273.500 Person from Jun 1991 (Median) to 2050, with 60 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77,176.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 6,018.000 Person in 1997. Belgium BE: Number of Migrants: Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Belgium net migration for 2024 was 36,243, a 13.04% decline from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Belgium net migration for 2023 was <strong>41,679</strong>, a <strong>64.86% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Belgium net migration for 2022 was <strong>118,615</strong>, a <strong>393.88% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Belgium net migration for 2021 was <strong>24,017</strong>, a <strong>45.14% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.

The number of immigrants in Belgium amounted to 90,850 men and 74,684 women in 2021. Whilst immigration has fluctuated over the past years, the difference between that of men and women has remained stable, with more men immigrating into Belgium than women consistently.

Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: Total data was reported at 1,387,940.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,052,844.000 Person for 2010. Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 871,341.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2015, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,387,940.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 441,555.000 Person in 1960. Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: 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. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.;United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2012 Revision.;Sum;

Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 12.284 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.633 % for 2010. Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.823 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.284 % in 2015 and a record low of 8.246 % in 2005. Belgium BE: International Migrant Stock: % of Population 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. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.;United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.;Weighted average;

This statistic shows the population of Belgium from 2009 to 2023, by origin. Since 2009, the number of foreign nationals living in Belgium has increased by over 500,000. In 2009, just over one million people living in Belgium were foreign nationals, while in 2023, over 1.57 million people living in Belgium were foreign nationals.

The statistic displayed above shows the migration flow for Belgium in 2022, by region. In 2022, about 52,500 people migrated to Brussels, while approximately 16,000 migrated from Brussels.

Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Female: Belgium data was reported at 575.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 558.000 Person for 2016. Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Female: Belgium data is updated yearly, averaging 413.500 Person from Dec 1956 (Median) to 2017, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 655.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 207.000 Person in 1977. Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Female: Belgium data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Portal of Statistics of Luxembourg. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Luxembourg – Table LU.G003: Number of Immigrants and Emigrants: by Sex.

The project aims at providing the data required to study the descriptive representation of citizens of immigrant origin (CIOs). The main aim is to provide an overview of the social and political profile of Member of Parliament (MPs), with a particular focus on identifying MPs of immigrant origin. In addition to the national level dataset described below, a corresponding regional level dataset is available.

Identification variables: Political level (regional, national); country-ID (NUTS); name of region; region-id (NUTS); date of relevant election; full name of district in which elected; level of electoral tier (first / Lower (or single tier); identifier for tier 1 to 3 districts at national level; number of legislatures in the country, as recorded by the parliament itself; date in which the legislature begins and ends; first name, first (second) surname of MP; MP-ID; national MP is also simultaneously a regional MP; which regional MP.

Demography: sex of MP; year of birth of MP; highest level of education (ISCED 1997); last occupation /profession of the MP before first ever becoming an MP (ISCO 2008); occupation sector when first elected; current occupation/ profession of the MP (ISCO 2008); current occupation sector.

Electoral and parliamentary tenure variables: number of times the MP has been previously elected to parliament in this district; type of electoral district; number of times the MP has been previously elected to parliament in this tier; Rookie: MP elected for the first time in this term; number of times the MP has been elected to parliament; number of times the MP has taken up the seat in parliament once elected; year when the MP was first elected to national/regional parliament; total number of years spent in national/regional parliament as MP, prior to this legislature (seniority); when was the MP elected for the last time prior to this legislature (continuity); MP was elected to chamber from inauguration; MP stayed continuously with no interruptions from the moment of taking up the seat until the end of the legislative term; number of months the MP did serve (if he did not serve a full legislative term); MP came back to reclaim the seat if MP left seat at some point; position in party list; rank position in which the MP was elected in district; double candidacy in another tier; MP won seat as incumbent, or as contender; parliamentary group the MP joined at the beginning and at the end of his/her term; full name and acronym of party or list in which elected; party code according to the CMP (Comparative Manifesto Project) dataset; party-ID.

Immigrant origin variables (corresponding coding for MPs mother and father): MP was born in the country of parliament; country (ISO 3166-1), world region (UN Classification for ‘Composition of macro geographical regions’), and country region (NUTS) in which the MP was born; data sources for country of birth (e.g. official parliamentary source, personal blogs, etc.); specific sources for country of birth; reliability of the data regarding the country of birth of the MP (as judged by the coder); year of immigration; born as a national citizen of the country of parliament; country of nationality at birth; data sources country of nationality at birth; specific sources for country of citizenship at birth; reliability of the data regarding citizenship at birth; year in which naturalized as a citizen; data sources year of naturalization; specific sources for date of naturalization; reliability of the data regarding naturalization.

Variables relating to aspects potentially related to discrimination: the MP is a native speaker of an official country language and data sources; specific sources for native language of MP; MP can be perceived by voters as a member of an ‘identifiable’ minority; source where picture found; specific sources for picture of MP; does the MP self-identify as a member of an ethnic minority; ethnicity; sources and specific sources for information on ethnic self-identification of MP; self-identification as a member of a certain religion; religion the MP identifies with.

Party career and committee membership variables: year in which the MP joined the party for which she/he was elected in this legislative term; highest position within the party; MP changed party affiliation during the legislative term; date of change; full name and party acronym of the new party joined, CMP code of the new party and Pathways identifier for party; (corresponding co...

In 2022, 196,000 people migrated to Belgium, while 66,000 people migrated from Belgium to another country. For both immigration and emigration, there was an increase from 2021 levels.

In 2021, the net migration rate of Belgium dropped to 4.5, which was 0.1 points lower than the previous year. The net migration rate shows the difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants for the past five years, adjusted for population.

Belgium Change of Nationality: Belgian to Foreign data was reported at 51.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 39.000 Person for 2022. Belgium Change of Nationality: Belgian to Foreign data is updated yearly, averaging 49.500 Person from Dec 1988 (Median) to 2023, with 36 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 118.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of 20.000 Person in 1995. Belgium Change of Nationality: Belgian to Foreign 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.G005: Number of Emigrants and Immigrants.

Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Male: Belgium data was reported at 781.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 762.000 Person for 2016. Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Male: Belgium data is updated yearly, averaging 500.000 Person from Dec 1956 (Median) to 2017, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 937.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 201.000 Person in 1977. Luxembourg Number of Immigrants: Male: Belgium data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Portal of Statistics of Luxembourg. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Luxembourg – Table LU.G003: Number of Immigrants and Emigrants: by Sex.

This statistic shows the annual growth figures of successful grants of asylum for refugees in Belgium from 2009 until 2021. Comparing 2009 to 2021, there has been an overall increase of over 4,500 refugees successfully qualifying for asylum in Belgium. The peak was in 2016 at approximately 15,000.

This diagram shows the distribution of the number of Belgian immigrants living in France in 2017, by age group. In total, France welcomed more than ******* Belgian expatriates on its territory. Of those, the most represented age group of Beligans living in France were people aged 25 to 54 years, counting about ****** immigrants in 2017. The second most represented group were those aged 55 years and older.

Belgium BE: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Asylum data was reported at 167,831.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 150,713.000 Person for 2022. Belgium BE: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Asylum data is updated yearly, averaging 29,000.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 167,831.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 11,100.000 Person in 1974. Belgium BE: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Asylum 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. Refugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers--people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers--are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of asylum is the country where an asylum claim was filed and granted.;United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNRWA through UNHCR's Refugee Data Finder at https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/.;Sum;

Since 1988, migration data have come from the National Register. This is where the information from municipal population registers is centralised. Internal migration statistics describe changes of residence within the country. International migration statistics describe immigration from abroad and emigration abroad. Since 1 February 1995, asylum seekers registered in the waiting register are no longer included in the resident population. They are included in the statistics on the evolution of the population only when they obtain the refugee status or are regularised on some other basis, in the category “register change”. From 2007, “total international immigration” includes the following former categories: “Migration Movements - Arrivals” (or “International immigration”) “Register changes” “Re-registrations after deletion”. From 2007, “total international emigration” includes the following former categories: “Migration Movements - Departures” (or “International emigration”) “Automatically deleted population” The migration balance is calculated as the difference between the total number of international immigrations and the total number of international emigrations