Total waste generation in Belgium
Belgium: Total waste generation was 272,374 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Total waste generation in Belgium, 2004–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 272,374 tonnes for total waste generation in 2022.
That represents a change of down 34.7% on the previous year and up 64.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total waste generation in Belgium peaked at 1.19 million tonnes in 2004 and was at its lowest, 165,463 tonnes, in 2012.
That places Belgium 33rd out of 62 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total waste generation in Belgium, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.19 million tonnes | — |
| 2006 | 361,827 tonnes | -69.5% |
| 2008 | 287,656 tonnes | -20.5% |
| 2010 | 225,622 tonnes | -21.6% |
| 2012 | 165,463 tonnes | -26.7% |
| 2014 | 311,835 tonnes | +88.5% |
| 2016 | 269,190 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 2018 | 362,508 tonnes | +34.7% |
| 2020 | 417,301 tonnes | +15.1% |
| 2022 | 272,374 tonnes | -34.7% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 272,374 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 293,977 tonnes, 93% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 272,374 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 289,947 tonnes, 94% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 612,044 tonnes | 287,656 tonnes | 1.19 million tonnes | 3 |
| 2010s | 266,924 tonnes | 165,463 tonnes | 362,508 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 344,838 tonnes | 272,374 tonnes | 417,301 tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More environment data for Belgium
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -6.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.574 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.19 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.5577 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.0605 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total waste generation in Belgium?
- Total waste generation in Belgium was 272,374 tonnes in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total waste generation recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 1.19 million tonnes in 2004.
- What is the lowest total waste generation recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 165,463 tonnes in 2012.
- How does Belgium rank for total waste generation?
- Belgium ranks 33rd out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is total waste generation rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 64.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total waste generation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes).