The figures speak for themselves. In 2024, 14,569 inhabitants of the Flemish region took up residence in one of the 19 Brussels municipalities, or 597 more people than five years ago.
Where do these inhabitants of the Flemish region come from mounted in Brussels? According to Statbel, 65 % of the Flemings come from Flemish Brabant. At the same time, it seems that Brussels still attracts more and more Flemish from Flanders-Western, Flanders-Oriental, Antwerp and Limburg.
Flemish nationalism is no longer what it was
The municipalities that are popular
On which town did these Flemish set their sights? Brussels City, Anderlecht and Schaerbeek draw in mind. It is the town of Watermael-Boitsfort that attracts the least followed by Uccle, Forest and Molenbeek. Again five years ago, the rating of the most popular municipalities returned to Brussels-Ville, Woluwe Saint-Lambert and Woluwe Saint-Pierre. So there is a little change in the ranking.
Also an exile to Flanders
If we examine Stabel’s data more finely, it appears that Ixles is today very popular with Flemish from Flanders-Western while the “Flanders” are rare in Ganshoren. The Limburgers seem to sulk Berchem Sainte-Agathe, a commune much appreciated by Flemings from Flanders-Orientale and Flemish Brabant. As for Anderlecht, it is not very popular with Antwerp.
If the number of Flemings settling in the capital increases according to Statbel, it is good to specify that the number of Brussels residents who emigrates to Flanders is even more important. The Belgian Statistical Office identified, during the same period, 27,738 people who left Brussels to settle … in Flanders. It is therefore, for the Brussels region, a clear emigration whose balance is negative.
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