Brussels Flag

Brussels

Country:
Belgium
Continent:
Europe

Brussels's 2025 population is now estimated at 2,141,520. In 1950, the population of Brussels was 1,414,670. Brussels has grown by 9,340 in the last year, which represents a 0.44% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Brussels, which typically includes Brussels's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

2.1M
Total Population
9.3K 0.44%
Growth
Yes
Capital of Belgium?

Brussels Population

Brussels Overview

Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is located in Belgium and is comprised of 19 municipalities. Of these municipalities is the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium.

Along with Flanders and Wallonia, the City of Brussels is one of the three administrative regions within the country. The city is home to several international institutions, including some core institutions of the European Union, earning the informal nickname of the capital of the EU.

Brussels is legally bilingual, with both Dutch and French recognized as official languages although 90% of the population speaks French. English is increasingly being spoken in Brussels, making it multilingual.

City Area Size and Population Density

Brussels has a total area of 161.4 km² (62.3 mi²) with a population density of 7,558 people per square kilometer (19,582 people per square mile).

The estimated total population of Brussels is 1,219,970, with a growth rate of approximately 0.67%.

Brussels Demographics

Belgium does not collect statistics based on ethnicity.

Brussels is home to many immigrants, with approximately 70% of people of foreign origin making up the region’s population. Approximately 32% of residents are of non-Belgian European origin, and 36% are of other backgrounds, mostly Moroccan, Turkish, and Sub-Saharan African. The two largest foreign groups in Brussels are from France and Morocco. This is unlike the rest of Belgium, which is primarily comprised of the Flemish, Walloon and Italian groups.

Brussels is a bilingual region with French and Dutch being the official languages.

Brussels is predominantly Roman Catholic, with about 40% of inhabitants identifying as Roman Catholic. Because of the large number of immigrants and Brussels’s multicultural makeup, there are a variety of religious communities including Muslims and atheists. Approximately 23% of Brussels inhabitants are of Islamic faith, and 30% identify as atheist.

The average age in Brussels is younger than the rest of the country with an average age of 37.5.

Brussels History

Brussels was officially founded in 979 when a castle was built near the Senne River.

In the middle of the 11th century, city walls were built and Brussels grew throughout the Middle Ages due to its strategic location on the Bruges-Ghent-Cologne trade route.

After Brussels was attacked by French king Louis XIV in 1695, various foreign powers took control throughout the years. On July 21, 1831, Leopold I ascended to the throne, becoming Belgium’s first king and Brussels was named the capital of the new kingdom.

The new kingdom went through a phase of rebuilding, including the establishment of international congresses and scientific organizations. Foreign artists, philosophers, and scientist found their way to Brussels, including Karl Marx and Victor Hugo.

Brussels experienced significant damage during World War II but was able to recover and continue to develop in the following years. Belgium is currently split into three semi-independent regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region. Brussels has become the “capital” of the European Union and NATO.

Brussels Population Growth

Brussels is currently growing at a rate of 0.67%. The population grew from 1,180,000 in 2015 to 1,219,970 in 2020, an increase of 39,970 people.

By 2035, the population is projected to grow to 2,214,691 at a decreased growth rate of 0.30%.

Other Cities in Belgium

City
2025 Pop. ↓
Growth
Antwerp1,064,870
Liege688,582
Gent479,034
Charleroi419,244
Brugge116,709
Namur103,466
Mons91,867
Leuven85,193
Deurne78,747
Aalst76,245
La Louviere76,138
Kortrijk76,081
Mechelen75,622
Ostend68,527
Sint-Niklaas67,979
Tournai67,767
Hasselt66,094
Genk61,343
Seraing60,952
Verviers53,657
Mouscron53,545
Roeselare52,512
Dendermonde42,470
Beveren42,163
Turnhout37,669
Sint-Truiden37,027
Dilbeek36,647
Herstal36,356
Beringen36,289
Deinze36,242
Heist-op-den-Berg35,238
Chatelet35,238
Ieper35,089
Lokeren34,873
Waregem34,555
Brasschaat34,540
Hoboken34,443
Maasmechelen33,833
Ninove33,318
Vilvoorde32,942
Binche32,828
Menen32,726
Halle32,574
Geel32,367
Braine-l'Alleud31,989
Grimbergen31,944
Tienen31,669
Knokke-Heist31,541
Schoten31,037
Heusden31,017
Lier30,918
Wevelgem30,462
Mol30,270
Geraardsbergen30,219
Houthalen30,050
Helchteren30,050
Louvain-la-Neuve29,521
Tongeren29,478
Evergem29,407
Courcelles29,336
Sint-Pieters-Leeuw28,697
Wavre28,126
Lommel27,427
Waterloo27,424
Ans27,297
Bilzen27,079
Oudenaarde27,055
Asse27,047
Ath26,681
Kapellen26,410
Izegem26,382
Aarschot26,179
Harelbeke25,978
Herentals25,912
Brecht25,908
Zaventem25,856
Flemalle-Haute25,144
Soignies24,869
Lanaken24,771
Mortsel24,525
Zottegem24,434
Ronse24,204
Nivelles24,149
Andenne24,055
Temse23,844
Maaseik23,684
Oupeye23,594
Overijse23,486
Zwevegem23,358
Arlon23,325
Beersel23,228
Wetteren22,930
Hamme22,891
Willebroek22,808
Saint-Nicolas22,586
Westerlo22,579
Diest22,516
Saint-Ghislain22,500
Manage22,196
Maldegem22,092
Fleurus22,080
Merelbeke22,047
Zedelgem21,968
Tubize21,859
Edegem21,839
Gembloux21,676
Rixensart21,616
Oostkamp21,489
Zemst21,096
Koksijde21,027
Chaudfontaine20,960
Nijlen20,792
Zoersel20,642
Tervuren20,623
Frameries20,598
Schilde20,373
Kontich20,290
Zele20,236
Braine-le-Comte20,133
Boussu20,058
Bornem19,997
Balen19,978
Huy19,973
Colfontaine19,964
Zonhoven19,922
Lochristi19,696
Poperinge19,537
Sint-Katelijne-Waver19,487
Tielt19,299
Herent19,218
Eeklo19,116
Torhout18,933
Aalter18,802
Hoogstraten18,524
Meise18,497
Quaregnon18,491
Zwijndrecht18,249
Morlanwelz-Mariemont18,233
Blankenberge18,230
Wuustwezel18,117
Eupen18,029
Sint-Genesius-Rode17,990
Middelkerke17,789
Kortenberg17,774
Kasterlee17,765
Diepenbeek17,699
Lessines17,687
Sint-Gillis-Waas17,658
Walcourt17,501
Kalmthout17,485
Ranst17,405
Lebbeke17,372
Wervik17,340
Stabroek17,294
Londerzeel17,274
Haaltert17,129
Vise17,054
Stekene16,989
Denderleeuw16,969
Dour16,861
Marche-en-Famenne16,856
Destelbergen16,853
Lede16,813
Essen16,754
Peruwelz16,647
Tessenderlo16,574
Herve16,544
Herzele16,523
Beerse16,208
Neerpelt16,122
Duffel16,011
Sint-Kruis16,000
Fleron15,994
Puurs15,944
Pont-a-Celles15,909
Boom15,810
Riemst15,809
Peer15,551
Diksmuide15,515
Lille15,466
Putte15,276
Soumagne15,237
Rotselaar15,007
Aubange14,932
Bredene14,862
Ciney14,830
Kruibeke14,815
Thuin14,682
Zulte14,670
Merchtem14,660
Ternat14,569
Rumst14,521
Beernem14,512
Landen14,458
Wemmel14,406
Bastogne14,395
Bree14,363
Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont14,353
Eghezee14,352
Genappe14,266
Bonheiden14,260
Aartselaar14,193
Leopoldsburg14,149
Hannut14,129
Anzegem13,920
Basse Lasne13,861
Berlare13,853
Waremme13,737
Tremelo13,721
Lummen13,689
Dison13,642
Ichtegem13,582
Lubbeek13,574
Ravels13,560
Haacht13,541
Couvin13,518
Buggenhout13,510
Esneux13,497
Assenede13,495
Herselt13,493
Jabbeke13,488
Beloeil13,405
Overpelt13,344
Amay13,307
Wezembeek-Oppem13,245
Oosterzele13,151
Sprimont12,945
Wanze12,918
Wingene12,887
Dinant12,875
Kraainem12,815
Blegny12,745
Kuurne12,638
Grez-Doiceau12,367
Keerbergen12,363
Oud-Turnhout12,354
Bocholt12,346
Zandhoven12,306
Machelen12,252
Arendonk12,247
Boechout12,145
Opwijk12,045
Mettet12,014
Veurne11,983
Liedekerke11,980
Rochefort11,978
Gerpinnes11,977
Kinrooi11,946
Kortemark11,937
Jodoigne11,930
Wommelgem11,917
Zelzate11,901
Gavere11,888
De Haan11,766
Beyne-Heusay11,608
Laarne11,600
Anderlues11,597
Bernissart11,588
Theux11,587
Zonnebeke11,581
Boortmeerbeek11,570
Herk-de-Stad11,566
Malmedy11,514
Farciennes11,488
Profondeville11,401
Enghien11,367
Deerlijk11,292
Virton11,259
Nevele11,153
Gistel11,084
Olen11,070
Seneffe11,025
Wichelen11,014
Meulebeke10,948
Chaumont-Gistoux10,943
Frasnes-lez-Buissenal10,936
Alken10,933
Damme10,924
Aiseau10,906
Nazareth10,890
Nieuwpoort10,845
Staden10,786
Kampenhout10,784
Spa10,756
Grobbendonk10,724
Florennes10,723
Moorslede10,720
Melle10,687
Aywaille10,636
Rijkevorsel10,606
Ingelmunster10,603
Steenokkerzeel10,566
Oud-Heverlee10,533
Waasmunster10,460
Berlaar10,370
Borsbeek10,334
Vosselaar10,317
Hoeilaart10,272
Durbuy10,251
La Calamine10,232
Retie10,069
Rebecq-Rognon10,049
De Pinte10,020

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.

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