Belgium: housing

How fast are house prices rising in Belgium?

Belgian house prices were 2.1% higher in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Eurostat house price index. The annual rise was 1.9% in the first quarter of 2026 and 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The index covers all residential purchases, new and existing, and is compiled by Statbel from notarial and land registry data. It measures price changes for comparable homes, not average prices. Statbel also publishes median prices of houses and apartments by municipality. Prices differ widely between Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

Official sources: Eurostat: house price index, quarterly

What share of people in Belgium own their home?

70.9% of people in Belgium lived in a home owned by their household in 2025, according to Eurostat EU-SILC data. 43.1% were owners with a mortgage or loan and 27.8% owners without one; 29.1% were tenants.

The figures count people, not dwellings, and come from Statbel's EU-SILC survey. The ownership rate was 70.3% in 2024. Tenants include those renting at market prices and those in social or reduced-rent housing, which is the responsibility of the three regions.

Official sources: Eurostat: distribution of population by tenure status

What is Belgium's urbanisation rate?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in Belgium was 87.7% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 10th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 69.6%. Worldwide: 28th of 193.

How many people in Belgium live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 0.0%. The figure has been the same every year since 2006. It is 33rd highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.3%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 155th highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Belgium?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 100.0%. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. It is 1st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What share of people in Belgium have safe drinking water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Belgium was 99.5% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 96.7%, and Belgium placed 17th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 21st of 134.

What share of people in Belgium have safe sanitation?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Belgium was 94.9% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 90.2%; Belgium is 14th highest of 45. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 25th highest.

What is access to clean cooking in Belgium?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 100.0%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 99.0%, and Belgium placed 1st highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.