One in eight households in Belgium faces water poverty
The Brussels-Capital Region remains the most affected area: 23.2% of households faced water poverty in 2024, compared to 21.9% in 2021 in the whole of Belgium.
“The likely reasons for this are lower disposable incomes and the Region’s predominantly urban nature—specifically, the limited availability of alternative water sources such as rainwater tanks or wells,” the Foundation notes.
Cost of living crisis
Meanwhile, Wallonia has seen a notable improvement compared to the previous survey, with 15.6% of households experiencing water poverty in 2024, down from 19.3% in 2021—a shift “possibly linked to the stabilization of Walloon water rates during a period of inflation.”
Flanders continues to show the most favorable situation, with 8.5% of households facing water poverty in 2024, compared to 9.1% in 2021.
Highlighting social inequalities in Belgium
Water poverty is a key indicator of social inequality: the cost of water places a heavier burden on the most vulnerable households. Those most at risk include people at risk of poverty, those with low work intensity, the “lower-middle class,” single-parent families, and individuals living alone or in poor health.
Housing quality and type also play a role: people living in apartments face this issue more frequently than those in houses, as the latter are more likely to have access to alternative water sources (such as rainwater tanks).
With this latest survey, conducted by researchers from ULB and Antwerp, the King Baudouin Foundation aims to keep the spotlight on this often-overlooked issue and encourage the development of solutions tailored to the most vulnerable households. A “crucial issue” in “a context marked by the effects of climate change and the increasing frequency of heatwaves.”