Designated terrestrial protected areas

Terrestrial protected areas in Belgium account for 14.7% of the territory (2022) (see graph). This share remained almost stable from 2012 to 2022. The European objective of a 30% share will be achieved only if the average annual growth rate observed over this period increases by 47-fold between now and 2030 (a 1.92% increase in terrestrial protected areas each year).

Natura 2000 sites cover 12.7% of the land surface of Belgium (2022) and sites designated under regional laws cover 5.4% (2022), with most of these (63.7%) being included in the Natura 2000 network. Terrestrial protected areas are set to increase by 2030. At the same time, biodiversity needs to be considered throughout the country. The state of biodiversity is worrying.

• In 2023, the index score for the farmland bird population in Belgium was 50.9 (down from 100 in 1990). Between 2000 and 2023, the trend was unfavourable.
• Conservation status is poor for 31.2% and bad for 35.5% of the 86 species protected under the Habitats Directive in Belgium. The EU averages are 41.8% and 20.6%, respectively.
• Conservation status is poor for 15.1% and bad for 79.6% of the 59 habitat types protected under the Habitats Directive in Belgium. The EU averages are 44.9% and 35.8%, respectively.
• Between 19% and 53% of species are threatened in the Flemish Region, as are 17% to 43% of species in the Walloon Region, depending on the species groups studied for the red lists.

Marine protected areas represent 37.8% of Belgian marine waters, which surpasses the EU goal of 30%.