Belgium Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Belgium's urban population was 87.70% in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Belgium's urban population stood at 87.70% in 2025, a rise of +0.09% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 87.70% by 2025. Belgium ranked 40th globally.
Belgium’s urban population share has risen steadily over the 66‑year series, climbing from a trough of 65.87 % in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 87.70 % in 2025, placing the country 40th globally. The acceleration accelerated after the 1990s, reflecting persistent suburbanisation, rising housing costs in rural areas and the concentration of services in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Liège. By 2025, Belgium’s urbanisation level is marginally lower than Brazil’s 88.12 % and Libya’s 87.90 % but slightly above Australia’s 87.66 %, underscoring its position among highly urbanised economies. The long‑term upward trajectory suggests that, absent major policy shifts encouraging de‑centralisation or a reversal in demographic patterns, the share of the population living in urban settings will likely edge closer to the ceiling observed in peer nations, potentially breaching the 90 % mark within the next decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 87.85% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 87.78% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 87.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | 87.70% | +0.09% | #40 |
| 2024 | 87.61% | +0.06% | #177 |
| 2023 | 87.55% | +0.06% | #177 |
| 2022 | 87.49% | +0.06% | #178 |
| 2021 | 87.43% | +0.13% | #178 |
| 2020 | 87.30% | +0.20% | #179 |
| 2019 | 87.10% | +0.21% | #178 |
| 2018 | 86.89% | +0.22% | #178 |
| 2017 | 86.67% | +0.22% | #178 |
| 2016 | 86.45% | +0.23% | #178 |
| 2015 | 86.22% | +0.24% | #178 |
| 2014 | 85.98% | +0.24% | #179 |
| 2013 | 85.74% | +0.25% | #179 |
| 2012 | 85.49% | +0.26% | #178 |
| 2011 | 85.23% | +0.26% | #178 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgium's urban population was 87.70% in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Belgium's urban population peaked at 87.70% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Belgium was 65.87% in 1960.
Belgium ranks 40th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belgium's urban population is projected to reach 87.70% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Belgium in 2025 was 87.70%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_urban-population,
title = {Belgium Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}