1.1. Contact organisation
[BE1] Statistics Belgium
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Statistical Direction Demography
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 16
1000 Brussels Belgium
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
22 December 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 January 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
18 December 2025
3.1. Data description
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
3.2. Classification system
Eurostat's CoD statistics build on standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
The regional breakdown is based on the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2).
Classification and updates applied by years
| Data year |
ICD classification used (ICD-9, ICD-10) (3 or 4 chars) |
For ICD-10: updates used |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
BE - FL & BR* |
BE - CF** |
BE - FL & BR* |
BE - CF** |
| 2011 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2011 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
2011 |
| 2012 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2012 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
2011 |
| 2013 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2013 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
2011 |
| 2014 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2014 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2015 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2015 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2016 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2017 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2017 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2018 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2019 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2020 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2021 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2022 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2023 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
| 2024 |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
ICD-10 (4 char) |
2016 (Volume1) 2010 (Volume2) |
|
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public Health.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
3.4.1. National definition used for usual residency
Legally registered residence (of the mother in the case of stillbirths).
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
Fœtal death with at least 500 g, or if the weight is unknown, at least 22 weeks.
Weight and gestational age are collected.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
3.6. Statistical population
See details next in sub-sections.
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
Neonates of non-resident mothers are not considered residents.
3.6.2. Non-residents
Non-residents are transmitted.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Residents dying abroad are no longer included from 2018 onwards. The cause of death is not recorded and coded R99.
3.7. Reference area
Belgium.
3.8. Coverage - Time
2011-2023.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit is number.
2023
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
CoD data was submitted to Eurostat on the basis of a gentleman's agreement established in the framework Eurostat's Working Group on "Public Health Statistics" until data with reference year 2010.
A Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work (EC) No 1338/2008 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 16 December 2008. This Regulation is the framework of the data collection on the domain.
Within the context of this framework Regulation, a Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death (EU) No 328/2011 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 5 April 2011.
CoD data according to this regulation is submitted to Eurostat since reference year 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are shared with partners due to contracts (Public Insitutions, University researchs).
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
No direct identification.
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Releases on-line.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Tables annualy available on Statbel.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Mortality life expectancy and causes death.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
| Year and month | Views (any language) |
|---|---|
| 202001 | 1613 |
| 202002 | 2585 |
| 202003 | 15128 |
| 202004 | 16818 |
| 202005 | 4895 |
| 202006 | 2333 |
| 202007 | 2817 |
| 202008 | 4151 |
| 202009 | 3687 |
| 202010 | 6775 |
| 202011 | 4596 |
| 202012 | 4097 |
| 202101 | 4129 |
| 202102 | 2967 |
| 202103 | 3499 |
| 202104 | 3134 |
| 202105 | 2273 |
| 202106 | 1733 |
| 202107 | 3497 |
| 202108 | 3800 |
| 202109 | 4162 |
| 202110 | 5119 |
| 202111 | 7975 |
| 202112 | 7539 |
| 202201 | 6129 |
| 202202 | 3324 |
| 202203 | 2965 |
| 202204 | 2928 |
| 202205 | 3617 |
| 202206 | 2638 |
| 202207 | 3094 |
| 202208 | 2802 |
| 202209 | 3099 |
| 202210 | 3762 |
| 202211 | 2873 |
| 202212 | 2386 |
| 202301 | 3430 |
| 202302 | 3522 |
| 202303 | 3140 |
| 202304 | 3180 |
| 202305 | 3242 |
| 202306 | 2401 |
| 202307 | 2117 |
| 202308 | 1944 |
| 202309 | 2461 |
| 202310 | 2803 |
| 202311 | 1894 |
| 202312 | 3796 |
| 202401 | 4677 |
| 202402 | 2389 |
| 202403 | 2519 |
| 202404 | 2345 |
| 202405 | 2051 |
| 202406 | 1673 |
| 202407 | 1710 |
| 202408 | 1576 |
| 202409 | 1916 |
| 202410 | 2211 |
| 202411 | 2378 |
| 202412 | 1626 |
| 202501 | 2331 |
| 202502 | 1892 |
| 202503 | 1907 |
| 202504 | 1561 |
| 202505 | 1594 |
| 202506 | 1168 |
| 202507 | 992 |
| 202508 | 912 |
| 202509 | 1114 |
| 202510 | 1340 |
| 202511 | 1217 |
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
No micro-data online disseminated.
The user has to submit an official request. This is analysed by the Statbel-DPO committee which grants access to the data or not.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Nothing.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
| Year and month | Views (any language) |
|---|---|
| 202107 | 56 |
| 202108 | 74 |
| 202109 | 63 |
| 202110 | 93 |
| 202111 | 136 |
| 202112 | 120 |
| 202201 | 83 |
| 202202 | 74 |
| 202203 | 61 |
| 202204 | 50 |
| 202205 | 44 |
| 202206 | 33 |
| 202207 | 24 |
| 202208 | 29 |
| 202209 | 35 |
| 202210 | 43 |
| 202211 | 52 |
| 202212 | 32 |
| 202301 | 49 |
| 202302 | 53 |
| 202303 | 34 |
| 202304 | 31 |
| 202305 | 23 |
| 202306 | 18 |
| 202307 | 17 |
| 202308 | 23 |
| 202309 | 30 |
| 202310 | 35 |
| 202311 | 45 |
| 202312 | 54 |
| 202401 | 43 |
| 202402 | 31 |
| 202403 | 27 |
| 202404 | 25 |
| 202405 | 35 |
| 202406 | 27 |
| 202407 | 33 |
| 202408 | 11 |
| 202409 | 33 |
| 202410 | 23 |
| 202411 | 15 |
| 202412 | 22 |
| 202501 | |
| 202502 | 31 |
| 202503 | 49 |
| 202504 | 26 |
| 202505 | 26 |
| 202506 | 19 |
| 202507 | 16 |
| 202508 | 13 |
| 202509 | 20 |
| 202510 | 35 |
| 202511 | 21 |
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Documents for COD from Eurostat.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
The causes of death data are based on a regulation, which defines scope, definitions of variables and characteristics of the data.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not available.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Research Institutes, Universities, Students, Public Government agencies, Private, Commission services and Business companies, Euro-Peristat.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available
12.3. Completeness
All the compulsory variables are transmitted to Eurostat.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables:
100%
2. For voluntary variables:
Not applicable.
3. For additional variables:
- External CoD
All received data from the Regions are transmitted.
- Place of occurrence for external CoD
All received data from the Regions are transmitted.
- Activity for external CoD
All received data from the Regions are transmitted.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Good and improving.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See details in sub-sections.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
| Year |
Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
28 |
| 2012 |
29 |
| 2013 |
26 |
| 2014 |
25 |
| 2015 |
25 |
| 2016 |
25 |
| 2017 |
29 |
| 2018 |
28 |
| 2019 |
27 |
| 2020 |
26 |
| 2021 |
24 |
| 2022 |
24 |
| 2023 |
24 |
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
From data collection with reference year 2011 onwards, Eurostat asks for the submission of final data at national and regional level and related metadata for the year N at N+24 months, according to the Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 328/2011, Article 4.
Stillbirths were transmitted at N+24
Final General file was transmitted at N+24.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
| Reference year |
Time between the end of the reference year and the delivery of final data to Eurostat |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
24 |
| 2014 |
|
| 2015 |
24 |
| 2016 |
|
| 2017 |
28 |
| 2018 |
27 |
| 2019 |
27 |
| 2020 |
25 |
| 2021 |
24 |
| 2022 |
24 |
| 2023 |
24 |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
In Belgium, two different federate entities code the underlying cause of death with the ICD-10 codes and rules. But their coding practices are slightly different. That can affect the national comparability.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Note that due to the fact that 2011 data is the first data collection with a legal basis (and few changes in the requested variables and breakdowns), the data between 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (in part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
Since 2010, Statistics Belgium includes the deaths abroad in the national statistics (with R99 code, because the death certificate is absent). This was not the case before 2010.
Since 2018, Statistics no longer includes the deaths abroad following Eurostat's indication.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
- 13 years
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See details in sub-sections.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable, only annual data are available.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Small differences between the coding practices in the two responsible federate entities may occur.
The cost and burden of the data collection is reduced by using validation and dissemination IT tools.
17.1. Data revision - policy
No Belgian policy on CoD revision.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Any data revision practice.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Deaths certificates (two models) compiled and coded by the Federate entities.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual. Certificates are sent to the Federate entities mensually and the raw data files are sent to Statistics Belgium annualy.
18.3. Data collection
See details in sub-sections.
18.3.1. Certification
Table on certification (Percentage)
| Year |
All doctors (certifiers) trained in the certification |
All doctors (certifiers - pathologists or others doctors) trained in the post-mortem examination (autopsies) |
Certificates filled by persons who attended a course on certification or post-mortem examination |
Death certificates that are queried (only queries related to medical part of the death certificate should be included) FL&BR External causes and infant mortality /still births not included. These are more extensively queried: respectively about 1/5 (FL) and 1/4 (FL&BR). 2017 and 2018: no queries send for the nature of neoplasms |
Replies received for queries sent
FL&BR |
Deaths where the underlying cause is changed as a result of the query FL&BR Estimation of % of answers that were useful |
Death certificates with incorrect sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
2.2% |
|
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
2.3% |
38% |
88% |
|
| 2015 |
|
|
|
2.5% |
60% |
90% |
|
| 2016 |
|
|
|
2.5% |
53% |
91% |
|
| 2017 |
|
|
|
1.9% |
45% |
91% |
|
| 2018 |
|
|
|
2.0% |
44% |
90% |
|
| 2019 |
|
|
|
2.0% |
51% |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
|
|
2.2% |
47% |
89% |
|
| 2021 |
|
|
|
2.3% |
42% |
90% |
|
| 2022 |
|
|
|
1.8% |
39% |
90% |
|
18.3.2. Automated Coding
| Data year |
Use of any form of automated coding |
System used (IRIS, MICAR, ACME, STYX, MIKADO, others) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
FL & BR |
WAL |
FL & BR |
WAL |
| 2011 |
No |
Yes |
|
|
| 2012 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
|
| 2013 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
STYX |
| 2014 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
STYX |
| 2015 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
STYX |
| 2016 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
|
| 2017 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
IRIS |
| 2018 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
IRIS V4.5.3 |
| 2019 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V4.2.3 |
IRIS V4.5.3 |
| 2020 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V5.7.0 |
IRIS |
| 2021 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V5.7.0 |
IRIS |
| 2022 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V5.8.1 |
|
| 2023 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V5.8.1 |
|
| 2024 |
Yes |
Yes |
IRIS V5.8.3 |
|
18.3.3. Underlying cause of death
For BR & FL
| Data year |
Only manual selection of underlying cause |
Manual with ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) |
ACS utilising ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) |
Own system (ACS without ACME) |
Comments |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
Yes |
No |
Partly, paper ACME 2008 |
No |
No |
Yes |
See comment |
|
|
Data from registration year 2000 onwards are being processed with the ACS STYX (of France). STYX uses ACME decision tables. |
| 2012 |
Yes for infant deaths and still births |
No |
|
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode". |
Data from registration year 2000 onwards are being processed with the ACS STYX (of France). STYX uses ACME decision tables. |
| 2013 |
Yes for infant deaths and stillbirths (jan-june) |
No |
|
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode". |
|
| 2014 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2014 ACME 3 November 2010 |
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2015 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2015 ACME 3 November 2010 |
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2016 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2016 ACME 3 November 2010 |
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2017 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2017 ACME 3 November 2010 |
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2018 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2017 ACME 3 November 2010 |
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2019 |
No |
|
No |
|
MMDS 2017 ACME 3 November 2010
|
|
No |
|
The certificates in French language of Brussels were coded using IRIS in "Code Only Mode" Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death are semi-automated coded in IRiS: all viewed by a coder.
|
|
| 2020 |
No |
|
No |
|
FL & BR MUSE 2.8 (no MMDS nor ACME any more) |
|
|
|
FL & BR The medical terms on the certificates in French language were first translated to Dutch. Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death were semi-automated coded in IRIS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2021 |
No |
|
No |
|
FL & BR MUSE 2.8 (V2021SR30) |
|
|
|
FL & BR The medical terms on the certificates in French language were first translated to Dutch. Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death were semi-automated coded in IRIS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2022 |
No |
|
No |
|
FL & BR MUSE (V2021SR30) |
|
|
|
FL & BR The medical terms on the certificates in French language were first translated to Dutch. Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death were semi-automated coded in IRIS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2023 |
No |
|
No |
|
FL & BR MUSE (V2021SR40) |
|
|
|
FL & BR The medical terms on the certificates in French language were first translated to Dutch. Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death were semi-automated coded in IRIS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
| 2024 |
No
|
|
No |
|
FL & BR MUSE (V2021SR40) |
|
|
|
FL & BR The medical terms on the certificates in French language were first translated to Dutch. Infant deaths, stillbirths and external causes of death were semi-automated coded in IRIS: all viewed by a coder. |
|
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
| Data year |
Information stored in the national CoD database, UC (Underlying cause) or MC (Multiple cause) |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
UC+MC |
| 2012 |
UC+MC |
| 2013 |
UC+MC |
| 2014 |
UC+MC |
| 2015 |
UC+MC |
| 2016 |
UC+MC |
| 2017 |
UC+MC |
| 2018 |
UC+MC |
| 2019 |
UC+MC |
| 2020 |
UC+MC |
| 2021 |
UC+MC |
| 2022 |
UC+MC |
| 2023 |
UC+MC |
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
Stillbirths and infant deaths are registered on the same certificate, but this certificate differs the one used for other deaths. The causes of death, however, are presented and coded in the same way for all deaths ( up to 2011). Neonates are registered with a certificate dedicated to all the infant deaths and stillbirths. The dates (with hours) of birth and deaths are registered and used to identify the neonates.
18.4. Data validation
Population National Register is used to validate the coverage of the residents deaths.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
Coding is done at a central level in each of the 3 regions: Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia (since 1993)
Description of the procedures to detect errors (i.e.errors such as potential inconsistency in the death certificate or error due to mistake when filling the deaths certificates):
FL &BR: complex system: data-entry checks (build in, in Iris,…), check of all certificates containing a medical term that does not figure in the dictionary (FL only), final error control reports containing unlikely, inconsistent or rare outcomes of the UC.
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors:
FL &BR: Queries to the municipalities, to the certifying MD’s and, for external causes of death, to the juridical instances
Coding performed by a certifier: no
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding:
FL &BR: Less than 0.5% of the deaths
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death:
FL &BR: coding is repeated by the most experienced coder and physician on all certificates detected in the control reports.
18.4.2. Unspecified CoD code
ICD codes for the underlying cause (% of the Total)
| Year |
Unspecified CoD (for ICD10: R00-R99 codes, for ICD9: 780-790 codes) |
Unknown CoD (for ICD10: R98-R99 codes, for ICD9: 799.9, 798.9, 798.2 codes) |
Deaths due to senility (for ICD10: R54 code, for ICD9: 797 code) |
Deaths due to exposure to unspecified factor (for ICD10: X59 code, ICD9: 928.9 code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
5.1% |
1.7% |
1% |
0.9% |
| 2012 |
5.5% |
1.9% |
1.2% |
0.9% |
| 2013 |
5.5% |
1.8% |
1.3% |
0.9% |
| 2014 |
5.7% |
1.9% |
1.3% |
0.8% |
| 2015 |
5.9% |
2% |
1.4% |
0.9% |
| 2016 |
6.2% |
2.4% |
1.5% |
0.9% |
| 2017 |
6.2% |
2% |
1.7% |
0.9% |
| 2018 |
5.9% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| 2019 |
6.6% |
2% |
1.3% |
0.9% |
| 2020 |
5.7% |
2% |
0.7% |
0.8% |
| 2021 |
6.2% |
1.8% |
0.7% |
0.9% |
| 2022 |
6.7% |
1.8% |
0.7% |
1% |
| 2023 |
6.1% |
1.7% |
0.9% |
0% |
18.4.3. Unknown country or region
Unknown country/region (%) for residents and non-residents who died in the country
| Year |
Residents |
Non-residents |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown residency (NUTS2) |
Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) |
Unknown residency (country) |
Unknown residency (NUTS2) |
Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) |
|
| 2011 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
| 2012 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
| 2013 |
0% |
33% |
|
|
|
| 2014 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
| 2015 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
| 2016 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
| 2017 |
0% |
33.2% |
|
|
|
| 2018 |
0% |
0% |
58.4% |
100% |
0.5% |
| 2019 |
0% |
0% |
59.2% |
100% |
0.5% |
| 2020 |
0% |
0% |
54.5% |
100% |
0.008% |
| 2021 |
0% |
0% |
55.8% |
100% |
0% |
| 2022 |
0% |
0% |
54.5% |
100% |
0% |
| 2023 |
0% |
0% |
29,5% |
100% |
0% |
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
A few deaths are not registered in the deaths certificate and a few other early deaths are not registered in the National Population Register. Coupling the two sources limits the possible coverage error.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No further comments.
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
18 December 2025
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
See details next in sub-sections.
Belgium.
2023
Good and improving.
The unit is number.
Not applicable.
Deaths certificates (two models) compiled and coded by the Federate entities.
Annual.
| Year |
Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
28 |
| 2012 |
29 |
| 2013 |
26 |
| 2014 |
25 |
| 2015 |
25 |
| 2016 |
25 |
| 2017 |
29 |
| 2018 |
28 |
| 2019 |
27 |
| 2020 |
26 |
| 2021 |
24 |
| 2022 |
24 |
| 2023 |
24 |
In Belgium, two different federate entities code the underlying cause of death with the ICD-10 codes and rules. But their coding practices are slightly different. That can affect the national comparability.
Note that due to the fact that 2011 data is the first data collection with a legal basis (and few changes in the requested variables and breakdowns), the data between 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (in part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
Since 2010, Statistics Belgium includes the deaths abroad in the national statistics (with R99 code, because the death certificate is absent). This was not the case before 2010.
Since 2018, Statistics no longer includes the deaths abroad following Eurostat's indication.
