Number of births increased by 3.7% in 2021 in Belgium
Belgian Statbel publishes the provisional monthly results of the statistics on births.
The first provisional figures show that in July 2022, 9,961 babies were born in Belgium: 5,446 in Flanders, 3,172 in Wallonia and 1,343 in the Brussels-Capital Region.
These results were calculated based on Demobel, Statbel’s demographic database (source: National Register). As these figures are provisional, it is not yet possible to draw any clear conclusions, either on a monthly or on an annual basis.
This will have to wait until the final publication of the population figures on 1 January 2023 mid-2023.
On the other hand, Statbel observes a slight downward trend in low birth weight. Thus, the average birth weight fell from 3.297 grams in 2019 to 3,303 grams in 2020.
Birth rates are at a concerning level for a long time in Belgium. The birth rates has been steadily declining since the start of the twentieth century. Since 1946, birth rates have dropped by 21%. Fertility rates across Belgium are now 40% less than what they were in 1961.
Source: Statbel
