Fertility Rate: Belgium
Belgium's fertility rate is currently 1.44 births per woman as of 2024. # Belgium Fertility Rate Belgium's fertility rate stands at 1.
Current (2024)
1.44 births per woman
-2.0% y/y
Peak (1964)
2.71 births per woman
Low (2024)
1.44 births per woman
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Fertility Rate — Belgium
1960 — 2024
Fertility Rate — Belgium
Analysis# Belgium Fertility Rate
Belgium's fertility rate stands at 1.44 births per woman in 2024, marking both a historic low and the culmination of a 64-year decline. Since 1960, the rate has dropped 43.3% from higher baseline levels, falling far short of the 1964 peak of 2.71 births per woman. The country now sits well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain population without immigration.
The steepest declines occurred between 1960 and the mid-1980s, with fertility stabilizing around 1.6–1.7 births per woman through the 2010s. Recent years show continued compression, particularly from 2019 onward, when the rate dipped below 1.6 and has remained in downward motion. Belgium's trajectory reflects broader Western European patterns, driven by delayed childbearing, increased female workforce participation, and lower desired family sizes. Without significant fertility reversals or compensatory migration, these figures suggest continued demographic pressure ahead.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.44 births per woman | -2.04% |
| 2023 | 1.47 births per woman | -3.92% |
| 2022 | 1.53 births per woman | -4.38% |
| 2021 | 1.6 births per woman | +3.23% |
| 2020 | 1.55 births per woman | -3.13% |
| 2019 | 1.6 births per woman | -1.23% |
| 2018 | 1.62 births per woman | -1.82% |
| 2017 | 1.65 births per woman | -1.79% |
| 2016 | 1.68 births per woman | -1.18% |
| 2015 | 1.7 births per woman | -2.30% |
| 2014 | 1.74 births per woman | -1.14% |
| 2013 | 1.76 births per woman | -2.22% |
| 2012 | 1.8 births per woman | -0.55% |
| 2011 | 1.81 births per woman | -2.69% |
| 2010 | 1.86 births per woman | +1.09% |
| 2009 | 1.84 births per woman | -0.54% |
| 2008 | 1.85 births per woman | +1.65% |
| 2007 | 1.82 births per woman | +1.11% |
| 2006 | 1.8 births per woman | +2.27% |
| 2005 | 1.76 births per woman | +2.33% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.72 births per woman | +2.99% |
| 2003 | 1.67 births per woman | +1.21% |
| 2002 | 1.65 births per woman | -1.20% |
| 2001 | 1.67 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 2000 | 1.67 births per woman | +3.09% |
| 1999 | 1.62 births per woman | +1.25% |
| 1998 | 1.6 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1997 | 1.6 births per woman | +0.63% |
| 1996 | 1.59 births per woman | +1.92% |
| 1995 | 1.56 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1994 | 1.56 births per woman | -3.11% |
| 1993 | 1.61 births per woman | -2.42% |
| 1992 | 1.65 births per woman | -0.60% |
| 1991 | 1.66 births per woman | +2.47% |
| 1990 | 1.62 births per woman | +2.53% |
| 1989 | 1.58 births per woman | +0.64% |
| 1988 | 1.57 births per woman | +1.95% |
| 1987 | 1.54 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1986 | 1.54 births per woman | +1.99% |
| 1985 | 1.51 births per woman | -1.95% |
| 1984 | 1.54 births per woman | -1.91% |
| 1983 | 1.57 births per woman | -2.48% |
| 1982 | 1.61 births per woman | -3.01% |
| 1981 | 1.66 births per woman | -1.19% |
| 1980 | 1.68 births per woman | -0.59% |
| 1979 | 1.69 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1978 | 1.69 births per woman | -1.17% |
| 1977 | 1.71 births per woman | -1.16% |
| 1976 | 1.73 births per woman | -0.57% |
| 1975 | 1.74 births per woman | -4.92% |
| 1974 | 1.83 births per woman | -6.15% |
| 1973 | 1.95 births per woman | -6.70% |
| 1972 | 2.09 births per woman | -5.43% |
| 1971 | 2.21 births per woman | -1.78% |
| 1970 | 2.25 births per woman | -0.88% |
| 1969 | 2.27 births per woman | -1.73% |
| 1968 | 2.31 births per woman | -4.15% |
| 1967 | 2.41 births per woman | -4.37% |
| 1966 | 2.52 births per woman | -3.45% |
| 1965 | 2.61 births per woman | -3.69% |
| 1964 | 2.71 births per woman | +1.12% |
| 1963 | 2.68 births per woman | +3.47% |
| 1962 | 2.59 births per woman | -1.52% |
| 1961 | 2.63 births per woman | +3.54% |
| 1960 | 2.54 births per woman | — |
Related Data
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For Belgium
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