people

Urban population share

Share of people living in urban areas.

87.7%Belgium · 20250.1%
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Data insight

Global perspective

The world estimate was 57.8% in 2025, up 6.3% from 2015. Across the longer period from 2005, the global estimate changed by +8.5% (+17.3%). Latest country observations range from 14.6% in Liechtenstein (2025) to 100.0% in St. Martin (French part) (2025), with the middle country observation at 64.6%; observation years may differ. Across the derived regional aggregates, South America reports 85.5%, while Africa reports 46.6%. Over roughly a decade, South America changed by +2.0%; Africa changed by +4.2%. Among countries with sufficient history, the largest absolute decade increase was +15.8% in Thailand, while the largest decrease was -4.2% in American Samoa. Coverage includes 213 countries; their latest observation years span 2025-2025, with a median latest year of 2025.

Belgium over time

Belgium reports 87.7% in 2025. From 2015 to 2025, Belgium increased by 1.5 percentage points (1.7%). From 2005 to 2025, Belgium increased by 4.1 percentage points (4.9%). The latest decade changed by +1.5 percentage points, versus +2.7 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a smaller absolute movement.

Europe and world context

This is 12.1 percentage points above Europe (2025). This is 29.9 percentage points above the world estimate (2025). From 2015 to 2025, Europe increased by 1.5 percentage points (2.1%). The latest decade changed by +1.5 percentage points, versus +1.6 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a smaller absolute movement.

Belgium has the 42nd-highest latest observation among 213 countries and 11th among 46 countries in Europe. Latest observation years span 2025-2025, so ranks are descriptive rather than perfectly synchronized.

  • Regional spread: South America is at 85.5% (2025), compared with 46.6% in Africa (2025).
  • Largest observed decade increase: Thailand changed by +15.8%.
  • Largest observed decade decrease: American Samoa changed by -4.2%.
  • Coverage: 213 countries; the median latest observation is 2025, with latest country observations spanning 2025-2025.
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Up to 40%40% to 60%60% to 70%70% to 85%Over 85%
2025
87.7%85.4%83.1%80.8%78.6%1990199620022008201320192025
Belgium

Source

World Bank

Source series SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. World and continent values are derived from available countries using population-weighted averages.