Net migration (UNICEF) in Belgium
Belgium: Net migration was 31,989 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
31,989
Change on year
down 11.7%
World rank
18th
of 74 countries
All-time high
118,615
in 2022
All-time low
1,100
in 1982
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Belgium, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
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.
Belgium ranks 18th of 74 countries on this measure, 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 9,502, 3.4× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 31,989 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 158, 202.5× the median. (52 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 population data for Belgium
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 12,091 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0945 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.1094 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 461,216 people (2100)
- Population density 365.29 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.0085 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Belgium?
- Net migration in Belgium was 31,989 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- 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 18th out of 74 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 UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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