Urban area over the long-term in Belgium
Belgium: Urban area over the long-term was 5,207 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
5,207 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
29th
of 202 countries
All-time high
5,207 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
9.44 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Belgium, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban area over the long-term in Belgium is 5,207 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 5.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Belgium peaked at 5,207 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 9.44 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Belgium 29th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Belgium, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 9.44 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 38.17 km² per grid cell | +304.3% |
| 1200 | 59.77 km² per grid cell | +56.6% |
| 1300 | 85.51 km² per grid cell | +43.1% |
| 1400 | 86.66 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1500 | 147.91 km² per grid cell | +70.7% |
| 1600 | 176.82 km² per grid cell | +19.5% |
| 1700 | 219.51 km² per grid cell | +24.1% |
| 1710 | 227.67 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1720 | 233.6 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1730 | 237.28 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1740 | 238.7 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1750 | 237.83 km² per grid cell | -0.4% |
| 1760 | 252.73 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1770 | 267.6 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1780 | 282.45 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1790 | 297.27 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1800 | 312.08 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1810 | 398.66 km² per grid cell | +27.7% |
| 1820 | 492.42 km² per grid cell | +23.5% |
| 1830 | 616.78 km² per grid cell | +25.3% |
| 1840 | 705.58 km² per grid cell | +14.4% |
| 1850 | 846.07 km² per grid cell | +19.9% |
| 1860 | 1,004 km² per grid cell | +18.7% |
| 1870 | 1,173 km² per grid cell | +16.8% |
| 1880 | 1,412 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1890 | 1,682 km² per grid cell | +19.1% |
| 1900 | 1,998 km² per grid cell | +18.8% |
| 1910 | 2,377 km² per grid cell | +18.9% |
| 1920 | 2,553 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1930 | 2,946 km² per grid cell | +15.4% |
| 1940 | 3,221 km² per grid cell | +9.3% |
| 1950 | 3,529 km² per grid cell | +9.6% |
| 1951 | 3,549 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1952 | 3,572 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1953 | 3,598 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1954 | 3,625 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1955 | 3,653 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1956 | 3,682 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1957 | 3,711 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1958 | 3,741 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1959 | 3,771 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 3,802 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1961 | 3,833 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1962 | 3,866 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1963 | 3,899 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1964 | 3,932 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 3,961 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1966 | 3,988 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1967 | 4,012 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1968 | 4,034 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1969 | 4,056 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 4,077 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1971 | 4,098 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1972 | 4,119 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1973 | 4,140 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1974 | 4,159 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1975 | 4,176 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1976 | 4,191 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1977 | 4,208 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1978 | 4,222 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 4,235 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 4,246 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 4,253 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 4,257 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1983 | 4,261 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1984 | 4,266 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 4,274 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1986 | 4,286 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 4,301 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 4,318 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 4,336 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 4,355 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1991 | 4,374 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 4,394 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 4,413 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 4,432 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 4,449 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 4,464 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1997 | 4,478 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 4,491 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 4,506 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 2000 | 4,522 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 4,546 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 4,569 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 4,594 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 4,618 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 4,642 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 4,671 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 4,700 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 4,729 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 4,758 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 4,788 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 4,817 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 4,847 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 4,876 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 4,906 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 4,936 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 4,963 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 4,991 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 5,018 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 5,045 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 5,073 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 5,100 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 5,127 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 5,153 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 5,180 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 5,207 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 5,207 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 5.2× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 5,207 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 3.8× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Belgium changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +304.3% | 9.44 km² per grid cell | 38.17 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +70.7% | 86.66 km² per grid cell | 147.91 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +56.6% | 38.17 km² per grid cell | 59.77 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +43.1% | 59.77 km² per grid cell | 85.51 km² per grid cell |
| 1810 | +27.7% | 312.08 km² per grid cell | 398.66 km² per grid cell |
| 1830 | +25.3% | 492.42 km² per grid cell | 616.78 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 9.44 km² per grid cell | 9.44 km² per grid cell | 9.44 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 38.17 km² per grid cell | 38.17 km² per grid cell | 38.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 59.77 km² per grid cell | 59.77 km² per grid cell | 59.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 85.51 km² per grid cell | 85.51 km² per grid cell | 85.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 86.66 km² per grid cell | 86.66 km² per grid cell | 86.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 147.91 km² per grid cell | 147.91 km² per grid cell | 147.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 176.82 km² per grid cell | 176.82 km² per grid cell | 176.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 219.51 km² per grid cell | 219.51 km² per grid cell | 219.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 227.67 km² per grid cell | 227.67 km² per grid cell | 227.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 233.6 km² per grid cell | 233.6 km² per grid cell | 233.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 237.28 km² per grid cell | 237.28 km² per grid cell | 237.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 238.7 km² per grid cell | 238.7 km² per grid cell | 238.7 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 237.83 km² per grid cell | 237.83 km² per grid cell | 237.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 252.73 km² per grid cell | 252.73 km² per grid cell | 252.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 267.6 km² per grid cell | 267.6 km² per grid cell | 267.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 282.45 km² per grid cell | 282.45 km² per grid cell | 282.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 297.27 km² per grid cell | 297.27 km² per grid cell | 297.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 312.08 km² per grid cell | 312.08 km² per grid cell | 312.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 398.66 km² per grid cell | 398.66 km² per grid cell | 398.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 492.42 km² per grid cell | 492.42 km² per grid cell | 492.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 616.78 km² per grid cell | 616.78 km² per grid cell | 616.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 705.58 km² per grid cell | 705.58 km² per grid cell | 705.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 846.07 km² per grid cell | 846.07 km² per grid cell | 846.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 1,004 km² per grid cell | 1,004 km² per grid cell | 1,004 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 1,173 km² per grid cell | 1,173 km² per grid cell | 1,173 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 1,412 km² per grid cell | 1,412 km² per grid cell | 1,412 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 1,682 km² per grid cell | 1,682 km² per grid cell | 1,682 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 1,998 km² per grid cell | 1,998 km² per grid cell | 1,998 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 2,377 km² per grid cell | 2,377 km² per grid cell | 2,377 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 2,553 km² per grid cell | 2,553 km² per grid cell | 2,553 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 2,946 km² per grid cell | 2,946 km² per grid cell | 2,946 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 3,221 km² per grid cell | 3,221 km² per grid cell | 3,221 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 3,643 km² per grid cell | 3,529 km² per grid cell | 3,771 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 3,938 km² per grid cell | 3,802 km² per grid cell | 4,056 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 4,162 km² per grid cell | 4,077 km² per grid cell | 4,235 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 4,280 km² per grid cell | 4,246 km² per grid cell | 4,336 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,435 km² per grid cell | 4,355 km² per grid cell | 4,506 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,635 km² per grid cell | 4,522 km² per grid cell | 4,758 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,919 km² per grid cell | 4,788 km² per grid cell | 5,045 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 5,140 km² per grid cell | 5,073 km² per grid cell | 5,207 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More reference data data for Belgium
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9298 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1382 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.12 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.61 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7526 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Belgium?
- Urban area over the long-term in Belgium was 5,207 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 5,207 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.44 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Belgium rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Belgium ranks 29th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.