Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
Internet usage in Belgium- Statistics & Facts
Belgians use the internet just as most other countries do, but with a few unique characteristics. With an advanced infrastructure, most of the country’s population has internet access, and men and women use the internet equally. As of January 2024, more than 11 million individuals in Belgium were internet users, which makes up around 95 percent of the country’s total population. The most common way of accessing the web for Belgians was the broadband connection, and mobile connections came as second. However, almost two in ten individuals mainly accessed the internet at home via a neighbor’s or landlord’s wireless connection.
Almost all individuals who stated that they used the internet in Belgium, 94 percent of the total population, had a household internet connection. Furthermore, the number of households with internet connection as of 2023 was around 4.8 million. The two most connected regions in the country were Brussels and the Flemish region, both with 95 percent an online presence.
Being online is a necessity for many. However, some of the global population has never used the internet. In Belgium, this share has gradually decreased in recent years, going from 10 percent in 2017 to three percent in 2023. Among the Belgian population between 65 and 74 years, 12 percent had never used the internet. Additionally, 5 percent of 55 to 65 year olds in Belgium never used the internet.
Of all internet users, around 78 percent were on social media. Facebook, the biggest social network, had around seven million monthly users in Belgium, and Instagram’s monthly audience was around 5.4 million. Both platforms had more female than male users.
Almost all individuals who stated that they used the internet in Belgium, 94 percent of the total population, had a household internet connection. Furthermore, the number of households with internet connection as of 2023 was around 4.8 million. The two most connected regions in the country were Brussels and the Flemish region, both with 95 percent an online presence.
Online and offline individuals
A 2023 survey of Belgian internet users found that around eight in 10 individuals used the web several times daily. Approximately 15 percent said they used the internet every day or almost every day. Additionally, among 18 to 64-year-old Belgian internet users, individuals between 30 and 49 years of age represented the largest share of online users, 44 percent. Users between 50 and 60 years ranked second, with 32 percent of usage share, followed by 18-29 year-olds, with 24 percent. Meanwhile, an equal share of male and female individuals in the country went online.Being online is a necessity for many. However, some of the global population has never used the internet. In Belgium, this share has gradually decreased in recent years, going from 10 percent in 2017 to three percent in 2023. Among the Belgian population between 65 and 74 years, 12 percent had never used the internet. Additionally, 5 percent of 55 to 65 year olds in Belgium never used the internet.
Mobile and social media use
In 2023, around 10 million individuals in Belgium owned a smartphone and used mobile internet. That is approximately 89 percent of the population.Of all internet users, around 78 percent were on social media. Facebook, the biggest social network, had around seven million monthly users in Belgium, and Instagram’s monthly audience was around 5.4 million. Both platforms had more female than male users.
Common online activities among Belgians
A very common reason for using the internet across the globe is to find information - and Belgians are no exception. As of the third quarter of 2023, almost eight in 10 internet users between 18 and 64 years named it as the main reason for going online. Staying in touch with friends and family and keeping up to date with news and events were among other common reasons. In the same year, more than 60 percent of Belgians stated that they listened to music online, and 22 percent took an online course.
