Belgium
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Belgium's fertility landscape in 2024 shows a marginal decline in completed fertility rate to 66.6%, continuing a subtle downward trend over the past five years. Meanwhile, the share of women remaining childless rose slightly to 33.4%, and the fertility gap has widened, indicating a greater shortfall from replacement-level fertility. The mean maternal age held steady at around 29.9 years, reflecting a gradual increase in childbearing age over recent years.
- The total fertility gap increased by 1.4 percentage points to 30.2%, signifying a growing divergence from replacement fertility.
- Average maternal age has risen modestly over five years, now near 29.9 years, suggesting delayed childbearing trends.
- Childlessness edged up to 33.4%, continuing a slow upward progression seen in recent years.
- Births decreased slightly to about 108,150, consistent with the overall downward fertility trajectory.
In 2024, Belgium's demographic profile shows stable fertility rates and average maternal age with slight declines and rising fertility gaps reflecting ongoing shifts.
- Total fertility rate ranks 9th highest in Europe
- Average children per mother slightly below 2.2
- Mean maternal age is close to 30 years
- One-third of women remain childless lifetime
- Societal half-life among top 10 shortest globally
Key fertility indicators — Belgium
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 30.2% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 34 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Belgium, completed fertility is 66.6% (2024). It is down marginally since 2023 (down 1.3pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 67.7% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 67.7%), mothers are now having lower by about 1.1pp children on average.
Globally, Belgium ranks 10 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 9 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| 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)
In 2024, mothers in Belgium had an average of 2.17 children. It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.24). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.24), mothers in Belgium are now having lower by about 0.07 children on average.
Globally, Belgium ranks 20 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 14 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| 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)
Belgium’s mean age at childbearing is 29.9 in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 29.5 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (29.5 years), today’s AMA is higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, Belgium ranks 22 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 15 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| 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.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 30.2% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.44). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.4pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 26.7%. Looking back to the 2020s (26.7%), the gap is now higher by about 3.5pp.
Globally, Belgium ranks 31 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 22 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Belgium’s FWG is 28.5% in 2024. It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 27.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 27.7%), the FWG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Belgium ranks 27 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 21 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Belgium’s SHL stands at 61.4 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.4 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 70.9 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (70.9 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 9.5 years.
Globally, Belgium ranks 11 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 8 out of 30 countries for SHL.
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 12 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Belgium ranks 9 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2085 - Births down 75% in 2147 - Births down 90% in 2228
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 108,150 in 2024 to 54,075 in 2085, and by 90% to 10,815 in 2228 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
33.4% of women in Belgium remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.3pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 32.3% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 32.3%), the rate today stands higher by about 1.1pp.
Globally, Belgium ranks 33 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 22 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| 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
Total births in Belgium were 108,150 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 2,529 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 112,793 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (112,793), total births are now lower by 4,643 births.
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Belgium’s FWG is 28.5% in 2024. It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 27.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 27.7%), the FWG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Belgium ranks 27 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Belgium ranks 21 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
