Unlike many other developed countries, Belgium is projected to continue growing throughout the rest of the 21st century. Belgium’s population is currently 11.59 million people, which is expected to grow to 12.48 million people by the end of 2099.
Belgium is growing at a low, steady pace of 0.44%, adding about 50,300 people to the population every year. This low population growth rate is good for a country that is already fairly densely populated. Belgium has a net migration of about 48,000 per year and a fertility rate of 1.71 births per woman.
Because of Belgium’s low fertility rate, the country is facing an aging population. The average age in Belgium is now 41.9 years and about 30% of the population is in or approaching retirement, foreshadowing very large pension obligations.
Belgium Population Growth
Belgium, although not one of the largest countries in Europe, still has showed significant growth in its population in the last few years. From 10,839,905 people in 2010 to around 11,095,000 in late 2012 and early 2013, it has shown a steady population increase per year. The most recent census in February 2015 found a population of 11.239 million.
Belgium Population Projections
The rate of growth in Belgium hasn't bee terribly high over the past century, steadily sitting around an annual growth rate of 0.50%, and this number is supposed to get smaller in the years to come. As of 2019, the growth rate in Belgium is 0.56%, which is expected to decrease to just 0.14% by 2050. With numbers this small, Belgium likely won't see an increase of over one million people in the next 30 years or so. Current projections say that the population will be 11,619,972 in 2020, 12,001,594 in 2030, 12,293,880 in 2040 and 12,488,233 in 2050.