What is the population of Brussels?
Brussels has a city population of 1,019,022. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · Belgium · Europe
Brussels
City population
1,019,022
#1
in Belgium
#1
in Brussels Capital
#538
worldwide
50.850, 4.349
About Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and de facto capital of the European Union, with 1.2 million residents and 2.1 million in the metro area. As headquarters of the EU, NATO, and numerous international organizations, Brussels is a uniquely cosmopolitan city where European politics meets Belgian surrealism, chocolate, beer, and Art Nouveau architecture.
Metro population
2,110,000
0.025% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.45%
Archive estimateDensity
13,106/km²
161 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 18
Founded
1795
Leadership
Philippe Close
Coordinates
50.850, 4.349
Record updated
3 May 2024
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 222 in BelgiumClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Brussels | 1.02M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Brussels AirportBRU
11 km from the city centre
- Antwerp International Airport (Deurne)ANR
39 km from the city centre
- Brussels South Charleroi AirportCRL
44 km from the city centre
- Liège AirportLGG
81 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Brussels grew from a 10th-century fortress and became capital of the Burgundian Netherlands. Under Spanish, Austrian, French, and Dutch rule, it developed as a trading center. Belgium's independence (1830) made Brussels the capital. The city hosted World Fairs (1897, 1958) that left architectural legacies. EU integration transformed Brussels into Europe's political capital.
Economy
Brussels economy centers on EU institutions, NATO, and international organizations, plus lobbying, law, and associated services. The city hosts 1,000+ international organizations and 200+ foreign correspondents. Other sectors include finance, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. The diverse economy provides stability. High wages match high costs.
Culture
Brussels culture is delightfully eccentric—Belgian surrealism, comic strips (Tintin, the Smurfs), Art Nouveau (Victor Horta), and an obsession with good food. Chocolate, waffles, frites, and 1,500+ Belgian beers define cuisine. The city is officially bilingual (French/Dutch). The Magritte Museum and Royal Museums are excellent. Comics murals decorate walls.
Transportation
Brussels has a metro, extensive tram, and bus network. Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is Belgium's hub. The city is a rail crossroads—Thalys, Eurostar, and ICE connect to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Cologne. The city is bikeable but hilly. Traffic congestion is notable.
Current Challenges
Brussels faces complexity from its divided governance (19 municipalities, three language regions), traffic congestion despite small size, urban decay in some areas, integration of diverse immigrant communities, and housing affordability. The city's infrastructure is aging. Terrorist attacks (2016) raised security concerns.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Grand Place (UNESCO)
- Manneken Pis
- Atomium
- European Quarter
- Magritte Museum
- Royal Palace
- Mini-Europe
- Belgian Comic Strip Center
- Victor Horta's Art Nouveau buildings
What Brussels Is Known For
- EU headquarters
- Chocolate
- Beer
- Waffles
- Comic strips
- Art Nouveau
Universities
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- KU Leuven (nearby)
Sports Teams
- RSC Anderlecht
- Union Saint-Gilloise (football)
Interesting Facts
- Brussels produces over 220,000 tons of chocolate per year
- There are more diplomats in Brussels than in Washington, DC
- The Manneken Pis has over 1,000 costumes
- Belgium has more comic artists per square mile than any country
- Brussels has the only atomium—a 102m tall structure of iron crystals
- Belgian fries are double-fried in beef fat
Population Trend in Belgium
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 8,617,441 |
| 1960 | 9,102,171 |
| 1970 | 9,630,504 |
| 1980 | 9,833,093 |
| 1990 | 9,960,968 |
| 2000 | 10,251,717 |
| 2010 | 10,936,626 |
| 2020 | 11,540,107 |
| 2030 | 11,824,141 |
| 2040 | 11,892,204 |
| 2050 | 11,870,906 |
| 2060 | 11,684,663 |
| 2070 | 11,490,796 |
| 2080 | 11,361,055 |
| 2090 | 11,221,816 |
| 2100 | 11,060,848 |
Brussels Population FAQ
Where is Brussels?
Brussels is in Brussels Capital, Belgium. Its coordinates are 50.850, 4.349.
How big is Brussels compared with other cities in Belgium?
It is the 1st largest of the 222 cities listed in Belgium, holding 8.5% of the national population.