How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Netherlands?

13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.

Where does this data come from?

Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Belgium vs Netherlands: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected

Belgium

38.3%

in 2025

Netherlands

33.5%

in 2025

Belgium rank

13th

Netherlands rank

14th

Share of marine territorial waters that are protected over time

Belgium
Netherlands

How they compare

Belgium currently reports 38.3% against 33.5% in Netherlands, a difference of 4.8%.

That makes Belgium's figure about 1.1 times Netherlands's.

Across all 13 years both countries report, Belgium has been ahead every year.

Belgium ranks 13th and Netherlands ranks 14th of 174 countries.

Belgium has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Belgium	Netherlands	Difference	Ahead
2010s	36.7%	23.8%	12.9%	Belgium
2020s	37.9%	29.1%	8.8%	Belgium

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher share of marine territorial waters that are protected, Belgium or Netherlands?: Belgium, at 38.3% against 33.5% in Netherlands as of 2025.
What is the difference in share of marine territorial waters that are protected between Belgium and Netherlands?: 4.8%, with Belgium ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Netherlands?: 13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.
How do Belgium and Netherlands rank globally for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?: Belgium ranks 13th and Netherlands ranks 14th of 174 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Belgium vs Netherlands: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid, drawing on Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/belgium/netherlands/

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<a href="https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/belgium/netherlands/">Belgium vs Netherlands: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected
Unit: % of territorial waters
Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 174 places, 2,223 data points, 2013–2025
Last refreshed: 18 September 2026

Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.