Belgium vs Netherlands: Population on 1 January by age and sex
Belgium
11.88 million
in 2025
Netherlands
18.04 million
in 2025
Belgium rank
17th
Netherlands rank
15th
Population on 1 January by age and sex over time
- Belgium
- Netherlands
How they compare
Netherlands currently reports 18.04 million against 11.88 million in Belgium, a difference of 6.16 million.
That makes Netherlands's figure about 1.5 times Belgium's.
Across all 66 years both countries report, Netherlands has been ahead every year.
Belgium ranks 17th and Netherlands ranks 15th of 65 countries.
Netherlands has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Belgium | Netherlands | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 9.38 million | 12.12 million | 2.74 million | Netherlands |
| 1970s | 9.76 million | 13.53 million | 3.77 million | Netherlands |
| 1980s | 9.87 million | 14.44 million | 4.58 million | Netherlands |
| 1990s | 10.10 million | 15.35 million | 5.25 million | Netherlands |
| 2000s | 10.45 million | 16.23 million | 5.78 million | Netherlands |
| 2010s | 11.20 million | 16.90 million | 5.70 million | Netherlands |
| 2020s | 11.69 million | 17.71 million | 6.02 million | Netherlands |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population on 1 january by age and sex, Belgium or Netherlands?
- Netherlands, at 18.04 million against 11.88 million in Belgium as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population on 1 january by age and sex between Belgium and Netherlands?
- 6.16 million, with Netherlands ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Netherlands?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Belgium and Netherlands rank globally for population on 1 january by age and sex?
- Belgium ranks 17th and Netherlands ranks 15th of 65 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Eurostat, published as Population on 1 January by age and sex. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.