Belgium Population Pyramid (2026)
Belgium has a population of 11,774,643 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 82nd-largest population in the world and 0.14% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 15.4% of the population and people aged 65 and over 21.4%, with 97.5 males for every 100 females.
Belgium Demographics
Belgium has 11.8 million people in 2026, up 22.3% from 9.6 million in 1970.
Deaths outnumber births by 15,044 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 21.4% — the 23rd-highest of 194 countries.
Median age 42.1 — the 30th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen X — 20.9% (2,456,254)
All generations in Belgium →
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Belgium's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Belgium has 97.5 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 152,021 (1.3% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:5,811,311
- Percentage:49.4%
Female Statistics
- Population:5,963,332
- Percentage:50.6%
- Ratio Format:1:1.026
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Belgium indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 100,860 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117,668 | 10.2 | 1.60 | estimate |
| 2022 | 113,797 | 9.8 | 1.55 | estimate |
| 2023 | 101,686 | 8.7 | 1.38 | estimate |
| 2024 | 101,368 | 8.6 | 1.38 | projection |
| 2025 | 101,192 | 8.6 | 1.39 | projection |
| 2026 | 100,860 | 8.6 | 1.40 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (100,860 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Belgium's median age is 42.1 years
Half the population is younger than 42.1 years, half is older — indicating a middle-aged society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 536,125 | 4.6% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 612,922 | 5.2% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 665,729 | 5.7% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 703,068 | 6.0% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 691,668 | 5.9% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 696,633 | 5.9% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 741,206 | 6.3% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 770,514 | 6.5% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 753,920 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 760,969 | 6.5% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 751,429 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 782,291 | 6.6% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 791,402 | 6.7% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 715,853 | 6.1% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 602,117 | 5.1% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 504,569 | 4.3% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 336,561 | 2.9% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 217,062 | 1.8% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 107,840 | 0.9% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 29,359 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 100+ | 3,409 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 5 (natural decrease): deaths outnumber births — 8.6 births and 9.8 deaths per 1,000 people in 2026. Read more about Stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Belgium Total Fertility Rate: 1.40 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.60 | 10.2 | |
| 2022 | 1.55 | 9.8 | ↓0.05 |
| 2023 | 1.38 | 8.7 | ↓0.17 |
| 2024 | 1.38 | 8.6 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 1.39 | 8.6 | ↑0.01 |
| 2026 | 1.40 | 8.6 | ↑0.01 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.42
Belgium's total fertility rate is 1.40 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. Belgium ranks 164 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −40.4% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Belgium's population has increased by 36.6%.
The median age has increased from 34.6 in 1950 to 42.1 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Belgium's Demographics
Belgium has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 15.4% of the population and people aged 65 and over 21.4%.
The largest five-year age band is 60–64, at 6.7% of the population, compared with 4.6% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Belgium's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Belgium's working-age share peaked in 1950 at 68.0% and is 63.2% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Belgium is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.40 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Belgium's median age changed by +1.6 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 11,774,643 |
| Male Population | 5,811,311(49.4%) |
| Female Population | 5,963,332(50.6%) |
| Median Age | 42.1 years |
| Sex Ratio | 97.5 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 1,814,776(15.4%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 7,443,097(63.2%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 2,516,770(21.4%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 58.2 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 24.4 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 33.8 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Belgium
How long the average person in Belgium is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Belgium is projected to grow to 11.9 million people by 2050 (+0.8% from 2026).
The median age rises from 42.1 in 2026 to 45.2 by 2050.
Belgium's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 2.1%, growing from 9.6 million in 1970 to 9.8 million by 1980
The youth population share contracted by 3.4 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion grew by 1.0 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 9.6M to 9.8M
- • Growth rate of 2.1% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 33.5 to 33.1 years (−0.4y)
- • 65+ share changed by +1.0 points; under-15 share by −3.4 points
How Does Belgium Compare to Its Neighbors?
Belgium has a younger population than Germany, France, Italy. Belgium has an older population than United Kingdom.
Belgium
Germany
France
United Kingdom
Italy
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Current) | 11,774,643 | 42.1 | 15.4% | 21.4% | constrictive |
| Germany | 83,644,259 | 45.7 | 13.9% | 24.2% | constrictive |
| France | 66,746,401 | 42.5 | 16.0% | 22.9% | constrictive |
| United Kingdom | 69,931,529 | 40.2 | 16.7% | 19.9% | constrictive |
| Italy | 58,926,167 | 48.6 | 11.4% | 25.6% | constrictive |
Frequently Asked Questions About Belgium
How does Belgium rank globally by population?
Belgium ranks 82nd in the world by population with 11.8 million people as of 2026, representing 0.14% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Belgium's age structure reveal about its development?
Belgium's age structure — 15.4% under 15, 63.2% working-age (15–64) and 21.4% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 5 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 42.1 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Belgium?
Belgium has 58.2 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Belgium experiencing a demographic dividend?
Belgium has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Belgium's working-age share peaked in 1950 at 68.0% and is 63.2% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Belgium's population?
Belgium has more females than males, with 97.5 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Belgium Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/belgium
View UN World Population Prospects Data →