Brussels Population: Growth Halted in 2025 After 30 Years

The 2026 demographic barometer reveals a stagnation in the regional population, marking a turning point after three decades of continuous increase.

Generic image of abstract data visualization representing the population of the Brussels-Capital Region.
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Generic image of abstract data visualization representing the population of the Brussels-Capital Region.

As of January 1, 2026, the Brussels-Capital Region had 1,255,834 inhabitants, a minimal increase of just 39 people compared to the previous year.

After thirty years of uninterrupted growth, the Brussels population no longer increased in 2025. The Demographic Barometer 2026 from the Brussels Institute for Statistics and Analysis (IBSA) provides an overview of the demographic evolution in the capital.
This report examines various factors, including arrivals from abroad, departures from Brussels to Flanders and Wallonia, births, and deaths throughout the past year. The evolution per municipality is also detailed.
Based on information from the official source: IBSA — Institut bruxellois de statistique et d’analyse (07/10/2026)