Net migration in Belgium
Belgium: Net migration was 31,989 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Belgium, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 31,989 for net migration in 2025.
That represents a change of down 11.7% on the previous year and down 49.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Belgium peaked at 118,615 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1,100, in 1982.
That places Belgium 27th out of 218 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9,893 | — |
| 1961 | 10,566 | +6.8% |
| 1962 | 14,829 | +40.3% |
| 1963 | 16,355 | +10.3% |
| 1964 | 17,687 | +8.1% |
| 1965 | 18,243 | +3.1% |
| 1966 | 18,985 | +4.1% |
| 1967 | 19,492 | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 19,809 | +1.6% |
| 1969 | 20,072 | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 19,393 | -3.4% |
| 1971 | 7,992 | -58.8% |
| 1972 | 8,384 | +4.9% |
| 1973 | 8,684 | +3.6% |
| 1974 | 8,924 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 9,652 | +8.2% |
| 1976 | 10,360 | +7.3% |
| 1977 | 10,460 | +1.0% |
| 1978 | 10,828 | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 11,277 | +4.1% |
| 1980 | 11,482 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 2,826 | -75.4% |
| 1982 | 1,100 | -61.1% |
| 1983 | 1,252 | +13.8% |
| 1984 | 1,697 | +35.5% |
| 1985 | 2,165 | +27.6% |
| 1986 | 2,964 | +36.9% |
| 1987 | 3,525 | +18.9% |
| 1988 | 3,929 | +11.5% |
| 1989 | 7,301 | +85.8% |
| 1990 | 8,299 | +13.7% |
| 1991 | 27,038 | +225.8% |
| 1992 | 25,941 | -4.1% |
| 1993 | 18,542 | -28.5% |
| 1994 | 17,636 | -4.9% |
| 1995 | 1,937 | -89.0% |
| 1996 | 15,684 | +709.7% |
| 1997 | 10,262 | -34.6% |
| 1998 | 12,517 | +22.0% |
| 1999 | 16,849 | +34.6% |
| 2000 | 13,952 | -17.2% |
| 2001 | 34,924 | +150.3% |
| 2002 | 39,404 | +12.8% |
| 2003 | 34,472 | -12.5% |
| 2004 | 35,143 | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 50,576 | +43.9% |
| 2006 | 53,574 | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 59,911 | +11.8% |
| 2008 | 66,470 | +10.9% |
| 2009 | 97,175 | +46.2% |
| 2010 | 105,232 | +8.3% |
| 2011 | 52,464 | -50.1% |
| 2012 | 45,001 | -14.2% |
| 2013 | 28,066 | -37.6% |
| 2014 | 37,472 | +33.5% |
| 2015 | 63,536 | +69.6% |
| 2016 | 28,090 | -55.8% |
| 2017 | 37,981 | +35.2% |
| 2018 | 50,604 | +33.2% |
| 2019 | 58,469 | +15.5% |
| 2020 | 43,777 | -25.1% |
| 2021 | 24,017 | -45.1% |
| 2022 | 118,615 | +393.9% |
| 2023 | 41,679 | -64.9% |
| 2024 | 36,243 | -13.0% |
| 2025 | 31,989 | -11.7% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 31,989 is above the median for high income countries, which is 843, 37.9× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 31,989 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 166, 192.7× the median. (57 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Belgium changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | +709.7% | 1,937 | 15,684 |
| 2022 | +393.9% | 24,017 | 118,615 |
| 1991 | +225.8% | 8,299 | 27,038 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 16,593 | 9,893 | 20,072 | 10 |
| 1970s | 10,595 | 7,992 | 19,393 | 10 |
| 1980s | 3,824 | 1,100 | 11,482 | 10 |
| 1990s | 15,470 | 1,937 | 27,038 | 10 |
| 2000s | 48,560 | 13,952 | 97,175 | 10 |
| 2010s | 50,692 | 28,066 | 105,232 | 10 |
| 2020s | 49,387 | 24,017 | 118,615 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More financial sector data for Belgium
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 13.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0032 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 193.33 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 8.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0023 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 141.16 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 13.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0032 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 193.33 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 8.35 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Belgium?
- Net migration in Belgium was 31,989 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 118,615 in 2022.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,100 in 1982.
- How does Belgium rank for net migration?
- Belgium ranks 27th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
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.