Belgium Population

Belgium is one of the smallest countries in Europe, and the headquarters of both NATO and the EU is located in the capital Brussels. The country has played an important role in European history and helped to found the EU.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Brussels
• Ethnic groups: Flemish 58%, Walloon 31%, other 11%
• Language: Flemish (Dutch), French, German
• Religion: Catholics 50%, other Christians 2.5%, Muslims 5%, others/none 42.5% (2009)
• Population: 11 429 000 (2017)
• Control Form: Federal Constitutional Monarchy
• Area: 30 530 Km2
• Currency: euro
• GNP per capita: 46 429 PPP $
• National Day: July 21st

Population of Belgium

The population in Belgium is 11 267 910 in 2016 according to the Belgian government. Annual population growth is 0.6%, and the average life expectancy is estimated at 83.1 years for women and 77.8 years for men (World Bank 2012). The birth rate is lower than the death rate and population growth is solely due to immigration. Belgium has a so-called “old” population, where the proportion over 65 is slightly above the proportion under 15, 17 against 18%.

Linguistically and culturally, two groups dominate: the Dutch-speaking Flemish people in the north, which constitute approximately 60% of the population; the French-speaking Walloon in the south, which counts 39%. A small minority (0.6%) around the cities of Eupen, Malmédy and Saint Vith in eastern Belgium have German as their mother tongue.

Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and has the largest population density in Europe after the Netherlands with an average of 369.7. However, the density varies widely from region to region. The plain country has on average about 450 people per km², the Ardennes about 100 per km². The most densely populated are the industrial areas along the Sambre – Meuse, where in some places there are more than 1000 people per km². The country is very urbanized, only about 3% of the population lives outside cities and towns. The largest population concentrations are around Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, Charleroi and Ghent as well as in the industrial district Hainaut, which extends from Mons to Charleroi. Small-scale urbanized areas have grown around Namur, Bruges, Verviers, Mechelen and Ostend.

Population of Belgium by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	11,589,512	0.440%	382.7484	81
2019	11,539,217	0.500%	381.0874	79
2018	11,482,067	0.550%	379.2001	79
2017	11,419,637	0.570%	377.1383	78
2016	11,354,309	0.590%	374.9808	77
2015	11,287,829	0.630%	372.7853	78
2010	10,938,628	0.730%	361.2529	76
2005	10,546,775	0.510%	348.3120	75
2000	10,281,922	0.190%	339.5652	76
1995	10,186,194	0.360%	336.4037	71
1990	10,006,433	0.180%	330.4671	70
1985	9,916,467	0.100%	327.4960	67
1980	9,868,884	0.200%	325.9245	58
1975	9,771,475	0.290%	322.7076	58
1970	9,632,069	0.400%	318.1037	55
1965	9,443,828	0.600%	311.8870	52
1960	9,167,254	0.620%	302.7531	47
1955	8,887,163	0.570%	293.5031	43
1950	8,637,408	0.000%	285.2549	40

Major Cities in Belgium by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Brussels	1,018,911
2	Antwerpen	459,694
3	Gent	231,382
4	Charleroi	200,021
5	Liege	182,486
6	Brugge	116,598
7	Namur	106,173
8	Leuven	92,781
9	Mons	91,166
10	Deurne	78,636
11	Aalst	77,423
12	Mechelen	77,419
13	La Louviere	76,557
14	Kortrijk	73,768
15	Hasselt	69,111
16	Ostend	68,900
17	Sint-Niklaas	68,899
18	Tournai	67,610
19	Genk	63,555
20	Seraing	60,626
21	Roeselare	55,905
22	Verviers	52,713
23	Mouscron	51,958
24	Beveren	45,068
25	Dendermonde	42,944
26	Beringen	40,819
27	Turnhout	39,543
28	Dilbeek	39,371
29	Heist-op-den-Berg	37,762
30	Sint-Truiden	37,748
31	Lokeren	37,456
32	Braine-l’Alleud	37,401
33	Brasschaat	36,929
34	Vilvoorde	36,844
35	Herstal	36,392
36	Maasmechelen	36,140
37	Waregem	35,785
38	Chatelet	35,127
39	Ieper	34,978
40	Ninove	34,684
41	Geel	34,586
42	Halle	34,368
43	Hoboken	34,332
44	Knokke-Heist	33,670
45	Schoten	33,511
46	Grimbergen	33,450
47	Lier	33,161
48	Mol	32,548
49	Wavre	32,001
50	Binche	31,919
51	Lommel	31,882
52	Menen	31,805
53	Tienen	31,632
54	Evergem	31,504
55	Heusden	30,906
56	Wevelgem	30,843
57	Geraardsbergen	30,696
58	Sint-Pieters-Leeuw	30,335
59	Helchteren	29,939
60	Houthalen	29,939
61	Tongeren	29,705
62	Deinze	29,704
63	Waterloo	29,667
64	Bilzen	29,511
65	Louvain-la-Neuve	29,410
66	Courcelles	29,362
67	Asse	28,874
68	Zaventem	28,077
69	Oudenaarde	27,824
70	Aarschot	27,545
71	Ans	27,186
72	Ath	26,570
73	Kapellen	26,299
74	Izegem	26,271
75	Arlon	26,068
76	Temse	25,943
77	Harelbeke	25,867
78	Herentals	25,801
79	Brecht	25,797
80	Flemalle-Haute	25,033
81	Soignies	24,758
82	Lanaken	24,660
83	Mortsel	24,414
84	Zottegem	24,323
85	Ronse	24,093
86	Nivelles	24,038
87	Andenne	23,944
88	Maaseik	23,573
89	Oupeye	23,483
90	Overijse	23,375
91	Zwevegem	23,247
92	Beersel	23,117
93	Wetteren	22,819
94	Hamme	22,780
95	Willebroek	22,697
96	Saint-Nicolas	22,475
97	Westerlo	22,468
98	Diest	22,405
99	Saint-Ghislain	22,389
100	Manage	22,085
101	Maldegem	21,981
102	Fleurus	21,969
103	Merelbeke	21,936
104	Zedelgem	21,857
105	Tubize	21,748
106	Edegem	21,728
107	Gembloux	21,565
108	Rixensart	21,505
109	Oostkamp	21,378
110	Zemst	20,985
111	Koksijde	20,916
112	Chaudfontaine	20,849
113	Nijlen	20,681
114	Zoersel	20,531
115	Tervuren	20,512
116	Frameries	20,487
117	Schilde	20,262
118	Kontich	20,179
119	Zele	20,125
120	Braine-le-Comte	20,022
121	Boussu	19,947
122	Bornem	19,886
123	Balen	19,867
124	Huy	19,862
125	Colfontaine	19,853
126	Zonhoven	19,811
127	Lochristi	19,585
128	Poperinge	19,426
129	Sint-Katelijne-Waver	19,376
130	Tielt	19,188
131	Herent	19,107
132	Eeklo	19,005
133	Torhout	18,822
134	Aalter	18,691
135	Hoogstraten	18,413
136	Meise	18,386
137	Quaregnon	18,380
138	Zwijndrecht	18,138
139	Morlanwelz-Mariemont	18,122
140	Blankenberge	18,119
141	Wuustwezel	18,006
142	Eupen	17,918
143	Sint-Genesius-Rode	17,879
144	Middelkerke	17,678
145	Kortenberg	17,663
146	Kasterlee	17,654
147	Diepenbeek	17,588
148	Lessines	17,576
149	Sint-Gillis-Waas	17,547
150	Walcourt	17,390
151	Kalmthout	17,374
152	Ranst	17,294
153	Lebbeke	17,261
154	Wervik	17,229
155	Stabroek	17,183
156	Londerzeel	17,163
157	Haaltert	17,018
158	Vise	16,943
159	Stekene	16,878
160	Denderleeuw	16,858
161	Dour	16,750
162	Marche-en-Famenne	16,745
163	Destelbergen	16,742
164	Lede	16,702
165	Essen	16,643
166	Peruwelz	16,536
167	Tessenderlo	16,463
168	Herve	16,433
169	Herzele	16,412
170	Beerse	16,097
171	Neerpelt	16,011
172	Duffel	15,900
173	Sint-Kruis	15,889
174	Fleron	15,883
175	Puurs	15,833
176	Pont-a-Celles	15,798
177	Boom	15,699
178	Riemst	15,698
179	Peer	15,440
180	Diksmuide	15,404
181	Lille	15,355
182	Putte	15,165
183	Soumagne	15,126
184	Rotselaar	14,896
185	Aubange	14,821
186	Bredene	14,751
187	Ciney	14,719
188	Kruibeke	14,704
189	Thuin	14,571
190	Zulte	14,559
191	Merchtem	14,549
192	Ternat	14,458
193	Rumst	14,410
194	Beernem	14,401
195	Landen	14,347
196	Wemmel	14,295
197	Bastogne	14,284
198	Bree	14,252
199	Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont	14,242
200	Eghezee	14,241
201	Genappe	14,155
202	Bonheiden	14,149
203	Aartselaar	14,082
204	Leopoldsburg	14,038
205	Hannut	14,018
206	Anzegem	13,809
207	Basse Lasne	13,750
208	Berlare	13,742
209	Waremme	13,626
210	Tremelo	13,610
211	Lummen	13,578
212	Dison	13,531
213	Ichtegem	13,471
214	Lubbeek	13,463
215	Ravels	13,449
216	Haacht	13,430
217	Couvin	13,407
218	Buggenhout	13,399
219	Esneux	13,386
220	Assenede	13,384
221	Herselt	13,382
222	Jabbeke	13,377
223	Beloeil	13,294
224	Overpelt	13,233
225	Amay	13,196
226	Wezembeek-Oppem	13,134
227	Oosterzele	13,040
228	Sprimont	12,834
229	Wanze	12,807
230	Wingene	12,776
231	Dinant	12,764
232	Kraainem	12,704
233	Blegny	12,634
234	Kuurne	12,527
235	Grez-Doiceau	12,256
236	Keerbergen	12,252
237	Oud-Turnhout	12,243
238	Bocholt	12,235
239	Zandhoven	12,195
240	Machelen	12,141
241	Arendonk	12,136
242	Boechout	12,034
243	Opwijk	11,934
244	Mettet	11,903
245	Veurne	11,872
246	Liedekerke	11,869
247	Rochefort	11,867
248	Gerpinnes	11,866
249	Kinrooi	11,835
250	Kortemark	11,826
251	Jodoigne	11,819
252	Wommelgem	11,806
253	Zelzate	11,790
254	Gavere	11,777
255	De Haan	11,655
256	Beyne-Heusay	11,497
257	Laarne	11,489
258	Anderlues	11,486
259	Bernissart	11,477
260	Theux	11,476
261	Zonnebeke	11,470
262	Boortmeerbeek	11,459
263	Herk-de-Stad	11,455
264	Malmedy	11,403
265	Farciennes	11,377
266	Profondeville	11,290
267	Enghien	11,256
268	Deerlijk	11,181
269	Virton	11,148
270	Nevele	11,042
271	Gistel	10,973
272	Olen	10,959
273	Seneffe	10,914
274	Wichelen	10,903
275	Meulebeke	10,837
276	Chaumont-Gistoux	10,832
277	Frasnes-lez-Buissenal	10,825
278	Alken	10,822
279	Damme	10,813
280	Aiseau	10,795
281	Nazareth	10,779
282	Nieuwpoort	10,734
283	Staden	10,675
284	Kampenhout	10,673
285	Spa	10,645
286	Grobbendonk	10,613
287	Florennes	10,612
288	Moorslede	10,609
289	Melle	10,576
290	Aywaille	10,525
291	Rijkevorsel	10,495
292	Ingelmunster	10,492
293	Steenokkerzeel	10,455
294	Oud-Heverlee	10,422
295	Waasmunster	10,349
296	Berlaar	10,259
297	Borsbeek	10,223
298	Vosselaar	10,206
299	Hoeilaart	10,161
300	Durbuy	10,140
301	La Calamine	10,121
302	Retie	9,958
303	Rebecq-Rognon	9,938
304	De Pinte	9,909
305	Borgloon	9,844
306	Raeren	9,814
307	Hooglede	9,789
308	Ecaussinnes-d’Enghien	9,691
309	De Panne	9,688
310	Chimay	9,609
311	Braine-le-Chateau	9,516
312	Plombieres	9,485
313	Villers-la-Ville	9,481
314	Ottignies	9,446
315	Pepinster	9,419
316	Hemiksem	9,393
317	Jurbise	9,372
318	Opglabbeek	9,341
319	Erquelinnes	9,285
320	Court-Saint-Etienne	9,242
321	Meerhout	9,235
322	Estaimpuis	9,229
323	Lovendegem	9,161
324	Hoeselt	9,154
325	Bertem	9,104
326	Hulshout	9,087
327	Begijnendijk	9,067
328	Ardooie	9,050
329	Sint-Lievens-Houtem	9,035
330	Huldenberg	9,026
331	Saint-Vith	9,024
332	Avelgem	8,995
333	Ledegem	8,991
334	Holsbeek	8,983
335	Fosses-la-Ville	8,951
336	Welkenraedt	8,895
337	Bierbeek	8,883
338	Gooik	8,846
339	Houthulst	8,840
340	Wijnegem	8,821
341	Kapelle-op-den-Bos	8,748
342	Wielsbeke	8,717
343	Sint-Martens-Lennik	8,707
344	Oudenburg	8,641
345	Dessel	8,596
346	Niel	8,545
347	Awans	8,501
348	Halen	8,437
349	Oostduinkerke	8,423
350	Ledeberg	8,343
351	Herenthout	8,267
352	Juprelle	8,243
353	Koekelare	8,206
354	Sint-Martens-Latem	8,192
355	Beauraing	8,131
356	La Bruyere	8,083
357	Kruishoutem	8,068
358	Lichtervelde	8,058
359	Yvoir	8,058
360	Zomergem	8,047
361	Bassenge	8,040
362	Bertrix	7,952
363	Philippeville	7,940
364	Kortessem	7,931
365	Dentergem	7,927
366	Lint	7,871
367	Hove	7,857
368	Roeulx	7,857
369	Merksplas	7,852
370	Galmaarden	7,828
371	Gingelom	7,819
372	Zoutleeuw	7,786
373	Knesselare	7,778
374	Silly	7,776
375	Waarschoot	7,651
376	Habay-la-Vieille	7,593
377	Boutersem	7,591
378	Quevy-le-Petit	7,578
379	Jalhay	7,577
380	Schelle	7,564
381	Sint-Amands	7,542
382	Brunehault	7,481
383	Estinnes-au-Val	7,462
384	Trooz	7,448
385	Antoing	7,396
386	Oostrozebeke	7,378
387	Floreffe	7,369
388	Sombreffe	7,341
389	La Hulpe	7,304
390	Kortenaken	7,263
391	Perwez	7,229
392	Vielsalm	7,180
393	As	7,139
394	Vorselaar	7,127
395	Messancy	7,033
396	Anhee	7,014
397	Oostmalle	6,923
398	Zutendaal	6,851
399	Wachtebeke	6,800
400	Wellen	6,693

Religion

Belgium has no state religion and the constitution of 1831 guarantees freedom of religion. About 87% of the population belongs to the Catholic Church, which is particularly strong in the French-speaking part of the country. There are minorities of Protestants, Muslims and Jews.

Language

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Of the population, approximately 60% Dutch-speaking, approximately 39% French speaking and barely 1% German speaking.

The distinction between Dutch speakers in the north and French speakers in the south divides the country sharply into two. The language boundary starts at about where the River Leie (Lys) crosses the border between France and Belgium and goes almost eastwards until it hits the river Maas (Meuse) south of Maastricht in the Netherlands. From here it follows the river a bit south to Visé (Wezet) and makes an arc east and north until it again hits the national border towards the Netherlands. The Dutch-speaking area in the north, which consists of Flanders (Flanders), consists of the provinces of West Flanders, East Flanders, Antwerp, Limburg and Flemish Brabant. The French-speaking area in the south, Wallonia (Wallonia), consists of the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, Luxembourg, Liège and Walloon Brabant.

Brussels forms a bilingual island in the Dutch-speaking area with both Dutch and French.

The German language area is located in the state of Wallonia, in the eastern part of the province of Liège, in the districts of Eupen, Sankt Vith and Malmedy. There is also some German spoken in the area around the city of Arlon (Arel) and along the border of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The popular language in the Dutch language area is the South-Dutch dialects Flemish, Brabant and Limburgish. The French dialects in Wallonia, Walloon, are similar to the dialects in adjacent areas on the French side of the border. The German dialects in the East are Moselle Franconian, Ripuarian and Lower Franconian. In addition to the bilingual status of Brussels, the language situation is characterized by a large influx of immigrants from North Africa and Turkey.