by L Richardson
Recent official statistics from StatBel, Belgium’s government statistical organization, reveal significant demographic changes in Brussels. The data shows that 72.9% of children and youth aged 0-17 in Brussels have roots outside the European Union or were born outside the EU. To put this into context, comparing it to the historical trend of Brussels’ demographics over the past two decades indicates a noticeable increase in diversity, as previous figures suggested a lower percentage of non-EU origins in this age group. (36% of the Belgian population has a foreign background, 2025) Belgian-origin residents represent 10.56% of this age group. By comparison, across the entire country, those of Belgian origin comprise a higher percentage, highlighting the unique multicultural dynamics of the capital city. (Demographics of Brussels, 2023)
The demographic composition in Brussels continues to evolve rapidly. (Agency, 2024) Statistics indicate that 78% of Brussels’ population is non-Belgian. StatBel’s demographic data highlights notable regional variations throughout the country. Belgian-origin residents make up 22.0% of Brussels’ population, while the numbers rise to 63.6% in the Walloon Region and 71.9% in the Flemish Region.
These demographic trends raise essential considerations for Belgian society. For this discussion, ‘Belgian-origin’ refers to individuals with ancestral ties to the region now recognized as Belgium, spanning several generations, and who identify with the cultural, historical, and social norms traditionally associated with this area. Filip Dewinter notes, “It has become a matter of demographics now. Non-Western families are often very productive and have large families. It is a matter of years before we become a minority in our own country.” The data suggests substantial population changes within a single generation.
II. Demographic Data: Understanding Population Changes
Image Source: The Brussels Times
StatBel’s official 2025 data shows Belgium’s dramatic demographic changes and transformation. The numbers paint a stark picture: native Belgians make up approximately 64% of the total population [1]. However, it is essential to note the statistical uncertainty inherent in these figures. The data is based on a sample, which may introduce a slight margin of error, affecting the precise percentage points. People of foreign origin account for around 36% of residents. Although these figures suggest significant demographic changes, it is essential to interpret them carefully and consider the possibility of minor variations due to sampling limitations.
Brussels shows an even more pronounced demographic shift. The data indicate that 22% of Brussels residents are of Belgian origin [1], while 78% have non-Belgian backgrounds [2]. These figures highlight the extent of demographic change in the capital.
The demographic spread varies significantly across different regions of our homeland:
| Region | Belgian Origin | Belgian of Foreign Origin | Non-Belgian Nationals |
| Brussels | 22.0% | 40.8% | 37.2% |
| Wallonia | 63.6% | 23.4% | 13.0% |
| Flanders | 71.9% | 17.1% | 11.0% |
Flanders is seeing a shift in its demographics, with people from foreign backgrounds now making up nearly 30% of the population. The region faces increasing migration, which is contributing to these changes.
Age distribution statistics show that 51% of Belgium’s youth (children and teenagers) have an entirely Belgian background [2], compared to 85% of seniors. This suggests that the proportion of native Belgian youth is decreasing.
Brussels youth statistics show that native Belgian children now make up a small proportion of the population. This demographic shift will influence the city’s future. (36% of the Belgian population has a foreign background, 2025)
The data highlights the origins of these demographic changes. 54.3% of non-Belgian origin residents come from outside the European Union [3]. Most arrive from North Africa, Turkey, and Sub-Saharan Africa [1]. Instead of implying a deliberate strategy to change the nation’s cultural and religious identity, these trends raise questions about the socio-economic and policy factors that influence immigration. What are the motivations behind these migration patterns, and how do they align with the broader demographic shifts within the European Union?
StatBel’s long-term data tracks how these population changes have accelerated. Native Belgians made up 79% of Belgium’s population in 2005 [2]. This number has dropped to 64% in just twenty years [1] – a decline previous generations would find unthinkable.
Clear patterns emerge from migration statistics:
- Belgium recorded 194,212 immigrations versus 128,168 emigrations in 2024 [4]
- International migration showed a positive balance of +66,044 that year [4]
- The country experienced more deaths than births (-3,879) in 2024 [4]
These numbers show that mass immigration significantly contributes to population increases in Belgium. Despite negative natural growth among native Belgians, the country adds nearly 62,000 people each year [4]. While these figures highlight a shift in population dynamics, attributing it solely to a deliberate replacement strategy necessitates further examination of policies and socio-economic factors driving immigration. Understanding the motivations behind and consequences of migration patterns can provide better insight into the underlying causes of demographic changes. (OECD, n.d.)
Brussels serves as a cautionary tale. The EU capital now houses about 184 nationalities [1], making it one of the world’s most diverse cities. About 6 in 10 current Brussels residents were born non-Belgian [1]. The city grows by 0.67% each year [1] through migration, while Belgian natives leave in large numbers. (OECD, n.d.)
Religious changes mirror demographic shifts. Brussels, traditionally Catholic, now has roughly 23% of its population practicing Islam [1]. This percentage grows each year as family reunification brings in more migrants from Islamic nations. (Demographics of Brussels, 2023)
Family reunification has become a key driver of demographic replacement. Despite some migration restrictions, this pathway brings in about 56,000 new migrants each year [2], reaching a peak of 59,873 in 2024 [2]. Each new citizen opens doors for extended family networks, creating a snowball effect that speeds up population replacement. (Belgium granted a record-breaking 20,724 Family Reunification visas in 2024 and 2025)
Belgium is experiencing significant demographic changes. Brussels provides an example of these trends, with national statistics showing that younger generations are increasingly diverse. These shifts are expected to continue in the coming years. (36% of the Belgian population has a foreign background, 2025)
III. Public Figures Respond to Demographic Changes
Across Europe, some public figures have raised concerns about demographic changes, arguing that these shifts are significant. Others point out that demographic trends are influenced by factors such as immigration, population aging, and urbanization. Considering these perspectives can help create a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Filip Dewinter has argued that native Europeans are being replaced, stating that this is not a conspiracy, as he wrote in his Liberum column.
Filip Dewinter, Belgium’s longest-serving parliamentarian and Vlaams Belang leader, has become the nation’s strongest voice against Population Replacement Belgium. His recent column for Liberum referenced the Trump administration’s 33-page memo about Europe’s demographic crisis. He declared that replacing native Europeans is not a conspiracy but a reality [4].
“Isn’t Trump simply right when he asserts that Europe is in decline, weakly led, and losing its identity, social cohesion, cultural identity, and ethnic homogeneity due to immigration, wokeism, and Islamization?” Dewinter stated in his column [4]. His words appeal to millions of citizens who see their neighborhoods, cities, and culture change due to mass migration.
Dewinter’s role as a defender of Flemish Heritage Defense spans decades. He has warned that demographic changes threaten European civilization. “This is not a conspiracy theory,” he stated about population replacement, “but a situation that is clearly shown by the data” [4]. His statement challenges the establishment’s view that dismisses demographic concerns as extremism.
Dewinter has emphasized that “demography is destiny“ [4]. He understands how an aging European native population and replacement immigration change a nation’s future. His analysis emphasizes the Brussels Non-EU Invasion as a visible sign of Europe’s crisis.
Tom Vandendriessche criticizes the EU’s approach to population changes, which he believes is deliberately increasing migration numbers. He faced harsh backlash from the establishment after exposing what he regards as the EU’s agenda to reshape the population landscape during a European Parliament session. He endured a four-week ‘hate speech’ investigation and received a formal reprimand from Parliament President Roberta Metsola [3].
His response to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson’s call to import at least 1 million migrants annually into Europe triggered the backlash [3]. During the debate, Vandendriessche stated that the EU migration pact’s real purpose was to “attract more migration” rather than control it [3].
“Commissioner Johansson openly admits it: there are too few European births, and she wants to replace them by importing four and a half million non-Europeans. Per Year,” Vandendriessche said during the plenary session [3]. He called this policy “deliberately organized repopulation” and the “colonization of Europe, the subjugation of Europeans, the suicide of our unique European civilization” [3].
Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veldt accused him of “employing Nazi terminology” [3]. Such attacks show how EU establishment figures silence debate through smears and intimidation. Vandendriessche rejected these claims and explained that “‘Omvolking’ describes the process where the original population is replaced by migration” [3].
He managed to keep his stance despite official censure. He stated that the EU Commissioner “literally wants non-European peoples to replace shrinking European peoples. That is, by definition, replacement migration, a synonym for repopulation” [4]. His words challenge the Ylva Johansson Betrayal that threatens Europe’s demographic makeup.
Trump’s NSS memo indicates that within the next 20 years, Europe could face “civilizational erasure” as it contends with the transformative impact of ongoing migration. This warning extends beyond Belgium, suggesting potential shifts in other NATO countries as well. By examining demographic data from NATO allies, such as Germany and France, which have also experienced significant migration inflows, a broader regional pattern emerges. These shifts can alter the cultural and social fabric of nations, potentially leading to increased political and social tensions across the continent.
The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy (NSS) memo has shocked globalist circles by acknowledging Europe’s demographic crisis. This 33-page document, with Trump’s signed introduction, warns that Europe faces “civilisational erasure“ within two decades due to mass migration and EU integration [1].
The memo states that several European countries might become “majority non-European” and Europe faces “the real and stark prospect of civilisational erasure” [1]. The document points to deeper issues, including “activities of the EU that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition … and loss of national identities” [1].
The NSS warns that “should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less” [1]. This matches patriotic Europeans’ concerns about the Civilizational Erasure Warning facing their nations.
The Trump administration’s strategy offers solutions. The document suggests that the US must “develop resistance” within Europe to “Europe’s current trajectory” [1]. It states that Europe must “remain European, regain its civilisational self-confidence and abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation” [1].
Liberal commentators try to discredit the NSS by claiming it supports the “great replacement” theory [1]. These dismissals ignore statistical reality documented by StatBel and other European demographic agencies.
The NSS memo aligns with Vice President JD Vance’s Munich Security Conference speech. It defines Europe’s demographic transformation as a risk of “civilizational erasure” [1]. The memo concludes that “within a few decades at the latest” some European NATO members will “become majority non-European” [1].
Current demographic trends align with concerns raised by the Trump administration about significant changes in Europe. Some argue that without policy changes, Europe could experience shifts in its cultural and social landscape.
IV. Recent Policy Developments and Political Responses
Belgian citizens are seeing significant changes in their country’s demographic policies. Recent months brought mixed results as native Europeans celebrated victories while globalist leaders pushed forward with their agenda. The resistance continues to grow despite EU officials’ ongoing efforts.
Recent changes: Flanders’ December 17 reforms introduce stricter rules on non-EU labor migration.
The Flemish government delivered a strong message against Brussels’ immigration policies on December 17, 2025. They approved comprehensive immigration reforms that will take effect on January 1, 2026 [5]. These new rules represent the most vigorous defense of Flemish heritage and target systems that help population changes in Belgium.
The new decree makes companies responsible through “chain liability” rules. They must get written statements from every contractor they work with [5]. Companies in high-risk industries, such as construction, cleaning, meat processing, and parcel delivery, must obtain immigration papers for all subcontractors [5]. Prime contractors can face fines if their subcontractors hire undocumented workers, which closes a significant loophole.
Flanders has also created more rigid labor-market testing rules. Companies must now prove they tried to hire Belgian or EU residents first, beyond just posting job listings [5]. Officials can now reject applications when job requirements seem inflated or when enough local candidates are available [5]. This rule targets what officials call “cosmetic advertising” – roles that companies fill with cheaper non-EU workers [5].
The region will completely stop migration for jobs needing only primary education (VKS levels 1–2) [5] and redefine “highly skilled” work [5]. Starting in 2026, highly skilled permits will only be granted to roles that require university-educated professionals [5].
Flanders will also add a €200 regional processing fee for single-permit applications [5], making it harder financially to change Belgium’s demographics.
TRUMP party launch November 11: A new Belgian political party named after Donald Trump, representing a populist movement.
The resistance grew stronger when a new far-right French-speaking political party launched on November 11. They chose America’s anti-globalist champion as their namesake [6]. TRUMP stands for “Tous Réunis pour l’Union des Mouvements Populistes” (All United for the Union of Populist Movements) [7].
Salvatore Nicotra, who previously led the Belgian National Front, founded this new party to challenge establishment parties [7]. “Donald Trump is the ultimate symbol of populism. He immediately embodies what we stand for,” Nicotra said [6].
Unlike Vlaams Belang’s push for Flemish independence, TRUMP wants a united Belgium while opposing mass migration [7]. The party calls itself “a right-wing populist party with a social slant” [7].
TRUMP plans to compete in Belgium’s 2029 federal and European Parliament elections [7]. This could change the power balance against EU elite policies. Their emergence shows more people recognize the demographic changes EU leaders have engineered.
EU policy updates: On December 8, ‘return hubs’ were introduced, and on December 19, a safe countries list was added to expedite deportations. Some critics argue these measures are insufficient to address migration challenges.
EU leaders try to calm growing public anger with partial solutions, such as the establishment of return hubs and the creation of a safe countries list, which don’t fix the core immigration issues in Belgium. These measures include expedited asylum procedures to streamline deportations, yet they fall short of addressing the root causes of migration. Instead of labeling individuals as traitors, it might be more productive to examine the legislative frameworks in place, thereby shifting the debate to one focused on practical policy changes.
The EU Council finalized its stance on “return hubs” on December 8, 2025. These centers outside the EU would hold migrants whose asylum applications are rejected [8]. The regulation creates EU-wide procedures for returning illegal migrants and sets rules for those who can’t stay [8].
These changes come after decades of open borders have changed local demographics. EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner admitted this weakness: “We have to speed up to give the people the feeling that we have control over what is happening” [9].
On December 19, the European Parliament and Council agreed on an EU “safe countries of origin” list including Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia [10]. Member states can now process asylum claims from these nations faster [11].
These weak measures only speed up some deportations while ignoring the leading causes – family reunification brought 59,873 migrants in 2024, and overall immigration tops 194,000 yearly.
Some believe that supporting parties such as Vlaams Belang and TRUMP is necessary to address demographic changes. Critics argue that current policy measures are not sufficient to address concerns about immigration. (En Belgique, la ministre de la migration prône « la politique la plus stricte jamais menée », 2025)
V. Examining the Causes of Demographic Change
Some commentators argue that demographic changes in Belgium are influenced by EU-level policies, including migration and social policies. These perspectives suggest that such policies have contributed to shifts in the population. (Demographic changes and labour migration within the EU, 2025)
EU officials, including Ylva Johansson, have discussed the need for migration to address Europe’s aging population.
The European Union, through statements by officials such as Ylva Johansson, has promoted regular migration to address Europe’s aging population. These policies focus on managing migration flows and responding to demographic challenges [12].
Ylva Johansson’s Betrayal shows the most blatant example of the EU Repopulation Plot. She visited Egypt in September 2024 to strengthen “migration cooperation.” She praised Egypt for hosting “over nine million migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers” [13]. These mutually beneficial alliances serve two purposes: outsourcing border control while creating pathways for continued mass migration into Europe.
EU migration policies tell the real story. The EU brings in millions of non-Europeans yearly under the guise of “labor needs.” This policy explains why Belgium’s population grew by 61,901 people (0.52%) despite negative natural population growth (-3,879 in 2024) [2]. Migration has become the only factor driving population growth in Belgium in the last decade [2].
European politicians across the continent now acknowledge this crisis. Research shows “more than 70 percent of Europeans currently feel their country takes in too many migrants” [14]. Brussels tyrants still push their demographic transformation scheme against European peoples’ wishes.
Family reunification reached a peak of 59,873 in 2024, averaging 56,000 per year. This process has contributed to ongoing migration trends.
Family reunification is a significant factor in Belgium’s migration statistics. Official data shows the scale of this migration pathway:
| Year | Family Reunification Visas | Percentage of All Migration |
| 2024 | 59,873 (peak) | 45.7% of first permits |
| 2023 | ~56,000 (average) | Majority from non-EU countries |
Belgium’s Immigration Office numbers [4][2] show how each migrant opens doors for endless chains of relatives. Family reunification made up 45.7% of all first residence permits issued to non-EU nationals in 2024 [2].
The Belgian government tried to impose minor restrictions in response to this flood. Migrants must now earn €2,300 per month (up from €2,100) to sponsor family members [4]. The amount increases by 10% for each additional family member [4]. A migrant seeking to bring a partner and two children must earn €2,700 per month [4].
NGOs like Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen complained that “the average employee in Belgium does not even earn this amount” [4]. They accidentally admitted that migrants claiming “family reunification” create a significant burden on our welfare systems.
This pattern repeats across Europe. Portugal and Austria have also imposed stricter rules on family reunification [4]. They recognize this pathway drives uncontrolled demographic change.
Some attribute demographic changes to factors such as the influence of multiculturalism, the growth of Islamic communities, and policy decisions made by authorities in Brussels. (Torrekens et al., 2023)
Three key forces contribute to the demographic changes in Belgium: the influence of wokism, the growth of Islamization, and the erosion of sovereignty by Brussels authorities. These forces manifest through various tangible mechanisms. In education, wokism is reflected in curricula that emphasize multiculturalism and global citizenship over traditional national values. In media practices, there is a tendency to favor narratives that promote diversity, often stifling discussion of national identity under the guise of inclusivity. On the legislative front, sovereignty erosion is evident in policies imposed by the European Union that prioritize EU-wide interests over national control, particularly in immigration and border security. These examples illustrate how broader ideological forces are operationalized through specific, identifiable channels, impacting Belgium’s demographic landscape. (Demographics of Belgium, 2024)
Wokism provides ideological cover for this population replacement. The Trump NSS memo identified it as promoting “loss of national identities” [15]. This toxic ideology supports what Filip Dewinter accurately described as Belgium’s loss of “identity, social cohesion, cultural identity, and ethnic homogeneity” in his Liberum column.
Islamic influence grows as migrant communities from Islamic nations expand through family reunification. Brussels, once predominantly Catholic, now has about 23% of inhabitants following Islam—this percentage grows each year. (Molenbeek, Brussels: The Making of a Pivotal European District—From Industrial Hub to Symbol of Social Transformation, 2025)
Brussels tyrants’ erosion of national sovereignty causes the most damage. European nations once controlled their borders and maintained their ethnic makeup. EU institutions have stripped member states of these powers. The EU migration pact represents what Tom Vandendriessche correctly called “deliberately organized repopulation.” (Deconinck, 2024)
Recent EU policies demonstrate the planned nature of this demographic transformation. The EU adopted the motto “United in diversity” in 2000 [14], signaling its plan to alter Europe’s ethnic makeup permanently. Their selective protection—quick for Ukrainians but denied to others—shows political calculation [14] rather than genuine humanitarian concern. (EU motto, 2000)
Demographic changes are expected to continue as long as current migration policies and cultural trends persist. Some commentators argue that these factors collectively influence the future of European societies. (Demographic Projections and Migration Governance: How Law Shapes the Perception of ‘Too Many’, 2025)
VI. Considering the Consequences of Demographic Change
Imagine a typical street in Brussels in the year 2070, where the vibrant tapestry of cultures is evident at every corner. Children with diverse backgrounds fill the playgrounds, speaking a medley of languages as they play. The architecture reflects a fusion of styles, where traditional Belgian townhouses stand alongside buildings influenced by North African and Middle Eastern aesthetics. Shops display signs bearing names from across continents, offering goods and cuisines from a myriad of global cultures.
Europe is experiencing significant demographic changes, with official data indicating major shifts in the coming years. These trends present new challenges as demographic patterns reshape the continent’s social fabric. (Population projections in the EU, 2023)
Demographics Shape Future: Population shifts affect identity and social unity.
Population trends indicate significant changes in European identity. The European Commission projects Europe’s share of the global population will drop to 4% by 2070 from today’s 6% [16]. Native birthrates continue to decline sharply across the continent. (The EU’s capacity, n.d.)
The data reveals several key points:
- Working-age populations will decrease in 22 out of 27 EU countries by 2050 [17]
- Europeans aged 85+ will more than double [17]
- Rural areas experience severe depopulation while urban centers see migrant growth [16]
- Young Europeans (15-29 years) dropped from 18.1% in 2011 to 16.3% in 2021 [16]
Healthcare systems, pension funds, and social services could face mounting pressure. The situation extends beyond economics to questions of European cultural identity. Eastern European nations face particularly challenging scenarios due to rapid population decline from both natural decrease and limited migration [17]. (Europe’s regional inequalities fuel anger and despair, 2024)
Belgium’s changing demographics highlight broader continental trends. European values such as free speech, democratic governance, and social unity are facing new tests as communities adapt to changing migration patterns. Social bonds strain as separate communities develop. (Potančoková et al., 2021)
Trump’s Perspective: Europe is changing rapidly, and some argue that cultural preservation requires policy responses.
What once seemed unlikely now looks possible without changes. The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy memo stated Europe faces “the real and more stark prospect of civilisational erasure” [3]. Their assessment claims “the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less” [18].
The memo suggests these shifts could affect NATO: “it is more than plausible” that “within a few decades at the latest” some European NATO members “will become majority non-European [3]. Such changes could reshape the Western alliance that maintained peace since WWII.
Trump’s team points to deeper issues beyond numbers: “censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence” [19]. European cultural heritage needs active preservation to maintain traditions and social norms.
[Inflammatory call-to-action section removed]
These demographic projections reflect policy choices rather than natural progress. EU policies influence population patterns through migration. Some nations have started responding—Flanders introduced new measures on December 17—yet demographic changes continue. (Dufeal, 2025)
Belgium’s experience offers lessons for other European nations about managing demographic shifts. Europe’s share of the global population continues to decline, while traditional cultural identities undergo significant change. (Pape & Szechy, 2024)
VII. Call to Action: Responding to Demographic Changes. Some believe that immediate action is needed to address demographic trends and preserve national heritage.
Supporters of Vlaams Belang and similar parties advocate stricter immigration controls in response to demographic changes.
Vlaams Belang represents Belgium’s strongest defense against the Great Replacement. The party advocates strong immigration controls, including limits on mosque construction and deportation of immigrants who fail to integrate [20]. Their anti-multiculturalism agenda directly challenges the demographic transformation that threatens our existence.
Filip DeWinter, one of the party’s boldest voices, released a comprehensive 70-point program on immigration issues that establishment parties avoided discussing [20]. Vlaams Belang continues to grow stronger despite a cordon sanitaire in which other parties refuse to enter into coalition cooperation. The party receives 6.8 million euros in state funding [20] to advance its resistance against Population Replacement Belgium.
Research by political scientists Hans De Witte and Bert Klandermans validates what many already know – Flemings support Vlaams Belang because they worry about immigration [20]. This patriotic position aligns with other European resistance movements, such as France’s National Front and Austria’s Freedom Party [20].
Some groups encourage sharing information on demographic trends and advocate for policies that prioritize the preservation of European culture.
Immigration remains the core issue that has united Vlaams Belang voters since its inception [1]. The party firmly states that Islam cannot coexist with Western democracy, which forces Muslims to choose between their religion and democratic values [20].
The social stigma against nationalist parties continues to fade as citizens become more critical of the undemocratic cordon sanitaire [1]. So more Belgians now openly support Vlaams Belang’s message that our nation belongs to its native inhabitants.
Supporters of parties like Vlaams Belang encourage sharing demographic statistics and voting for candidates who prioritize national sovereignty. They believe that collective action can influence the future direction of Europe.
References
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[2] – https://www.pragueprocess.eu/en/countries/836-belgium
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