people
Population density
People per square kilometre of land area.
Select comparisons
Data insight
Global perspective
The world estimate was 241 people/km² in 2023, up 9.1% from 2013. Across the longer period from 2003, the global estimate changed by +44.7 people/km² (+22.7%). Latest country observations range from 0.139 people/km² in Greenland (2023) to 20,570 people/km² in Macao SAR, China (2023), with the middle country observation at 95.3 people/km²; observation years may differ. Across the derived regional aggregates, Asia reports 340 people/km², while Oceania reports 15.2 people/km². Over roughly a decade, Asia changed by +29.4 people/km²; Oceania changed by +1.28 people/km². Among countries with sufficient history, the largest absolute decade increase was +1,205 people/km² in Monaco, while the largest decrease was -198 people/km² in St. Martin (French part). Coverage includes 213 countries; their latest observation years span 2023-2023, with a median latest year of 2023.
Belgium over time
Belgium reports 386.3 people/km² in 2023. From 2013 to 2023, Belgium increased by 18.41 people/km² (5.0%). From 2003 to 2023, Belgium increased by 44.23 people/km² (12.9%). The latest decade changed by +18.41 people/km², versus +25.82 people/km² in the preceding decade, indicating a smaller absolute movement.
Europe and world context
This is 246.98 people/km² above Europe (2023). This is 144.89 people/km² above the world estimate (2023). From 2013 to 2023, Europe increased by 6.11 people/km² (4.6%). The latest decade changed by +6.11 people/km², versus +4.52 people/km² in the preceding decade, indicating a larger absolute movement.
Belgium has the 27th-highest latest observation among 213 countries and 6th among 46 countries in Europe. Latest observation years span 2023-2023, so ranks are descriptive rather than perfectly synchronized.
- Regional spread: Asia is at 340 people/km² (2023), compared with 15.2 people/km² in Oceania (2023).
- Largest observed decade increase: Monaco changed by +1,205 people/km².
- Largest observed decade decrease: St. Martin (French part) changed by -198 people/km².
- Coverage: 213 countries; the median latest observation is 2023, with latest country observations spanning 2023-2023.
Source
World Bank
Source series EN.POP.DNST. World and continent values are derived from available countries using population-weighted averages.