Belgium
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Belgium's fertility landscape in 2024 shows a slight dip in total maternal fertility rate to 0.666, continuing a gradual decline observed over recent years, aligning closely with 1990s levels. Meanwhile, the distribution of family sizes remains stable, and the average maternal age continues its slow rise, now nearly 30 years. Notably, the childbearing rate has edged upward slightly, suggesting nuanced shifts in reproductive behavior despite a lower fertility rate.
- The total fertility rate declined by 0.013 to 0.666, nearing its long-term average from the 1990s.
- The childbearing rate increased by 1.3 percentage points to 33.4%, following a steady rise over the past five years.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to 29.9 years, approximately 2.7 years higher than in the 1990s.
- Family size distribution remains largely unchanged, with mothers having two children most common (47.7%) and three or more children at 27.6%.
In 2024, Belgium's fertility and family trends show modest declines in birth rates with stability in children per mother and a continued rise in mean childbearing age.
- Completed fertility at 66.6%, ranking 9th in Europe
- Children per mother steady at 2.17, above European average
- Mean age at childbearing rising to nearly 30 years
- Birthgap generational indicator low at 30.2%, ranking 23rd in Europe
- Shrinking total births forecasted to halve by 2085
Key fertility indicators — Belgium
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 33.4% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.17 |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 30.2% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 34 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In Belgium, the total motherhood prevalence rate (TMR) stands at 66.6% in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 1.3 percentage points from 2023's figure of 67.9%. Over the past five years, the TMR has exhibited a downward trend, averaging around 67.7% between 2020 and 2024. This current rate closely aligns with the average observed during the 1990s, which was 65.9%. While global and regional rankings are noted, the focus here remains on the stability and slight decline in motherhood prevalence reflected in recent data.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 82.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 67.8% |
| 1990 | 67.8% | 2023 | 67.9% |
| 2000 | 75.4% | 2024 | 66.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Belgium's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.17 in 2024, showing only a slight decrease from 2.17 in 2023. Over the previous five years, the CPM has trended downward, averaging 2.24 during that period. Compared to the average CPM of 2.11 in the 1990s, the current figure is approximately 0.06 higher.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.22 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.28 |
| 1990 | 2.10 | 2023 | 2.17 |
| 2000 | 2.19 | 2024 | 2.17 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Belgium reached 29.86 years in 2024, showing a slight increase of 0.09 years from 29.77 in 2023. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average around 29.51 years during that period. Compared to the 1990s average of 27.13 years, the current maternal age has risen by approximately 2.7 years. On the global stage, Belgium holds the 21st position out of 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 16th among 31 nations.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.05 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.12 |
| 1990 | 26.48 | 2023 | 29.77 |
| 2000 | 26.97 | 2024 | 29.86 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 30.2% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.44. This marks a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the past five years from 2020 to 2024, the indicator has shown an upward trend, maintaining an average of 26.7%. When compared to the 1990s average of 32.6%, the current figure is approximately 2.4 percentage points lower.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 10.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 25.5% |
| 1990 | 31.1% | 2023 | 28.8% |
| 2000 | 20.4% | 2024 | 30.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Belgium’s SHL stands at 61.3 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 3.5 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 70.9 years. Compared with the 1990s average (53.4 years), SHL is now longer by about 7.9 years.
Globally, Belgium ranks 9 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 8 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Belgium, there would be 34 great-grandchildren, representing a -66.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Belgium ranks 29 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 23 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
According to the 2024 birth trend, the total number of births is expected to drop from 108,150 in that year to 54,075 by 2085, marking a 50% decrease. Looking further ahead, births are projected to decline by 75% by 2147, and by 2228, they would have fallen by 90% to just 10,815, assuming no migration influences these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Belgium reached 33.4% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TCR has shown a rising trend, averaging 32.3% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the average from the 1990s, which stood at 34.1%, the current figure remains quite close to that long-term level. On a global scale, Belgium is positioned 30th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds the 23rd spot out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 17.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 32.2% |
| 1990 | 32.2% | 2023 | 32.1% |
| 2000 | 24.6% | 2024 | 33.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Belgium recorded 108,150 total births in 2024, marking a decrease of 2,529 from the previous year. The number of births has been declining over the last five years, with an annual average of 112,793. When compared to the 1990s average of 103,817, the current birth figures are higher by 4,333.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 129.1k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 113.7k |
| 1990 | 109.4k | 2023 | 110.7k |
| 2000 | 115.1k | 2024 | 108.2k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Belgium's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) is 28.5% in 2024, showing only a slight dip from 28.8% in 2023. This indicator has generally trended upward over the last five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 at 27.7%. When compared to the 11.1% average from the 1990s, the current level is about 17.4 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Belgium holds the 25th spot out of 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 22nd among 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 19.5% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.5% |
| 1990 | 4.4% | 2023 | 28.8% |
| 2000 | 16.7% | 2024 | 28.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
