Belgium Secondary Enrollment
School enrollment, secondary (% gross) SE.SEC.ENRR
Belgium's secondary enrollment was 133.02% in 2025, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 7.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Belgium's secondary enrollment stood at 133.02% in 2025, a decline of +9.94pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 133.02% by 2025. Belgium ranked 7th globally.
Belgium’s secondary school enrollment rate has fallen markedly over the past quarter‑century, slipping from a high of 146.92 % in 2000 to an all‑time peak of 164.08 % in 2015 before reaching the current trough of 133.02 % in 2025, the seventh‑highest level worldwide. The decline of more than 31 percentage points since the 2015 apex reflects a combination of demographic ageing, lower birth cohorts and modest policy shifts toward vocational pathways that reduce the proportion of youths in general secondary programmes. By contrast, Sweden maintains a higher enrollment of 136.36 %, while Denmark records 127.95 %, indicating that Belgium still outperforms many European peers despite the downward trend. The persistent drop suggests that without renewed incentives for universal secondary attendance or reforms to broaden programme appeal, the enrollment rate may continue to erode, potentially moving Belgium further down the global ranking in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Secondary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 129.40% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 133.02% | - | - |
| 2025 | 133.02% | −9.94pp | #7 |
| 2023 | 142.96% | +0.04pp | #1 |
| 2022 | 142.92% | −0.25pp | #2 |
| 2021 | 143.16% | −8.56pp | #2 |
| 2020 | 151.73% | −4.91pp | #2 |
| 2019 | 156.64% | +0.13pp | #1 |
| 2018 | 156.51% | −2.16pp | #1 |
| 2017 | 158.67% | −2.02pp | #1 |
| 2016 | 160.69% | −3.39pp | #1 |
| 2015 | 164.08% | +1.66pp | #1 |
| 2014 | 162.42% | +0.58pp | #1 |
| 2013 | 161.85% | +1.74pp | #1 |
| 2012 | 160.11% | +0.76pp | #1 |
| 2011 | 159.35% | −1.31pp | #1 |
| 2010 | 160.66% | +1.00pp | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw secondary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgium's secondary enrollment was 133.02% in 2025. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 7.0% decrease from the previous year.
Belgium's secondary enrollment peaked at 164.08% in 2015.
The lowest secondary enrollment in Belgium was 133.02% in 2025.
Belgium ranks 7th globally in secondary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.SEC.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belgium's secondary enrollment is projected to reach 133.02% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The secondary enrollment of Belgium in 2025 was 133.02%. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_secondary-enrollment,
title = {Belgium Secondary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/secondary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}