Belgians travelled 43.6 billion kilometres abroad in 2023, study reveals

Which transport modes do Belgians use to travel abroad, and how far do they go? The Federal Public Service (FPS) Mobility and Transport in Belgium has analysed the results of Statbel’s annual travel survey to answer these questions, revealing some remarkable insights.

While international travel makes up only a small share of all yearly movements by Belgians, it accounts for a substantial portion of the total distance travelled—and therefore, of the ecological footprint.

Since 2013, with the exception of the COVID-19 period, the number of trips abroad has been steadily increasing. In 2023, Belgians undertook 17.3 million international trips (an average of 1.58 trips per person), covering a total of 43.6 billion kilometres—3,980 kilometres per Belgian. This brings travel back to the record levels last seen in 2019.

The car remains the most popular means of transport for international travel, representing 50% of all trips. However, air travel dominates in terms of distance: flights accounted for 74% of the total kilometres travelled in 2023, compared to 21% by car. Other modes, such as trains and coaches, made up just 5% of the distance.

Although international trips are less frequent, they still represent nearly a third of all kilometres travelled by Belgians. When combining all types of travel—both domestic and international—the car remains dominant with 59% of the distance, followed by the plane (22%) and public transport (12%).

Traveller profiles influence mobility patterns significantly. For instance, residents of Brussels take the plane twice as often and the train 4.5 times more frequently than the average Belgian.

Differences are also noticeable between urban and non-urban areas. In Flanders, city dwellers travel more than those in rural areas, whereas the opposite is true in Wallonia. People with higher education degrees travel more than twice as often as those with lower levels of education.

Nearly 9 in 10 international trips are within Europe, with France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany being the top destinations. Yet, the 12% of trips made outside Europe account for a staggering 49% of the total kilometres travelled. Destinations in America, Asia and Africa contribute significantly to this figure.

International travel may be a relatively small part of overall mobility, but its impact on greenhouse gas emissions is significant. This analysis helps clarify how travel behaviour contributes to environmental challenges, particularly as air travel continues to dominate long-distance trips.

A full report, in Dutch/French can be found on news.belgium.be