The fertility rate in Flanders continues to decline, according to data released on Tuesday by the Flemish statistical office, Statistiek Vlaanderen.
The rate dropped from 1.81 in 2010 to 1.5 in 2023. Last year, women in the region had, on average, 1.5 children each.
In 2023, 62,338 children were born to mothers residing in Flanders, as recorded in the national register. This is over 7,700 fewer births than in 2010, marking a 12% decrease.
This decline in birth numbers mirrors the drop in the fertility rate, which measures the number of births per year relative to the female population of childbearing age (15-49 years).
Between 2010 and 2023, the fertility rate decreased among women under 32. For women over 32, it remained the same or increased. The average age of motherhood also rose from 29.7 years in 2010 to 30.7 years in 2023.
The fertility rate varies by district. During the 2022-2023 period, Halle-Vilvoorde recorded the highest rate at 1.68, while Leuven and Ghent had the lowest at 1.36.
According to Statistiek Vlaanderen, women of foreign nationality generally have more children than Belgian women. Last year, their fertility rate was 2.18.
Within the European Union, Belgium's fertility rate of 1.53 in 2022 was above the EU average of 1.46. France had the highest rate at 1.79, followed by Romania at 1.71. The lowest rates were observed in Cyprus, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Spain and Malta.
