Belgium’s birth rate fell last year

Belgium reported approximately 108,700 births in 2024, which is a decrease of 4.6% compared to the average for the period 2020-2023, new data from Statbel has found.

All regions of Belgium saw a drop in birth rate, with the Walloon Region experiencing a drop of 6.6%, the brith rate in the Brussels-Capital Region falling 7.7%, and the Flemish Region seeing a decrease of 2.6%.

During the period from 2020-2023, an average of 113,861 births per year were recorded.

As Statbel noted, ‘The low number of births in Belgium in 2024, combined with the provisional mortality figures (112,131 deaths), will very probably result in a negative natural balance for the year 2024. So this relatively recent trend, namely a negative natural balance in Belgium, seems to be continuing.’

Births by region

On a regional basis, some 61,900 births were recorded in the Flemish region, while Wallonia reported 32,900 births, and the Brussels-Capital recorded just over 13,900 births.

During most months of the year, the birth rate was lower than the 2020-2023 average, with February the only exception – birth rates were 2.1% higher in February 2024, compared to the average.

The biggest decline (compared to the average) was seen in June 2024, which was 11.1% lower, while September was 8.3% lower, and March was 6.2% lower.

However, these monthly variations should be interpreted carefully, as several unusual fluctuations observed in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, influenced the reference period, Statbel noted.

A more detailed analysis will be published in June, following the release of final population figures, the statistics body added. Read more here.