Iraqis in Belgium: How Many Live There and Where?
Belgium is home to an Iraqi community whose members have settled across the country over several decades. Many came to Belgium because of conflict, political instability and insecurity in Iraq, while others arrived through family reunification, education or employment.
In 2026, Iraqis and Belgians of Iraqi origin form part of Belgium’s diverse population. However, determining the community’s exact size requires distinguishing between Iraqi nationals and Belgian citizens with Iraqi roots.
How Many Iraqis Live in Belgium?
Estimates have placed the Iraqi community in Belgium at between 16,000 and 20,000 people, with some estimates suggesting around 18,000. However, this range should be treated as an estimate rather than a verified official total for 2026.
Belgium’s statistical office, Statbel, publishes population data by nationality and origin. These categories are important because Iraqis who acquire Belgian citizenship may no longer appear in statistics that count only Iraqi nationals. As a result, the number of people of Iraqi origin can differ from the number of Iraqi citizens living in Belgium.
Where Do Iraqis Live in Belgium?
People of Iraqi origin live in different parts of Belgium. Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent are among the cities associated with Iraqi residents. Communities can also be found in other towns, including Ostend and Roeselare.
However, without current municipality-level figures specifically identifying Iraqi nationality or origin, these locations should not be presented as an official ranking of the largest Iraqi communities.
People choose where to settle for different reasons, including employment, housing, family connections, education and access to public services.
Where Do Iraqi Belgians Come From?
The Iraqi community includes people with roots in several parts of Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and the Kurdistan Region. Their backgrounds, languages and cultural traditions vary according to their region and family history.
Migration from Iraq to Belgium has been influenced by several decades of political upheaval, wars and insecurity. Different waves of migration have brought people with different experiences and reasons for leaving their homeland.
Sammy Mahdi’s Iraqi Roots
One prominent Belgian politician with Iraqi family roots is Sammy Mahdi, president of the Flemish Christian Democratic party CD&V.
Mahdi was born in Brussels to a Flemish mother and an Iraqi father from Basra. He previously served as Belgium’s State Secretary for Asylum and Migration from 2020 to 2022.
His background is one example of the connections between Iraqi families and Belgian public life.
Iraqi Contributions to Belgian Society
People of Iraqi origin participate in many areas of Belgian life, including business, healthcare, education, culture and public service. Some have established businesses or cultural associations, while others work in a wide range of professions.
Like other newcomers, some Iraqi residents may face challenges involving language learning, finding work that matches their qualifications, housing and adapting to a new environment. Experiences vary considerably from one individual and family to another.
Learning Dutch, French or German, depending on where they live, can help residents access employment, education and public services.
The Iraqi Community and Life in Belgium
Many Iraqi Belgians maintain strong emotional, cultural and family ties to Iraq while building their lives in Belgium. For some, the desire to remain connected to their homeland exists alongside the importance of safety, stability and opportunities for their families.
There is no reliable basis for claiming that Iraqis as a group cannot integrate into Belgian society, or that they all share the same attitudes or experiences. Integration differs from person to person and depends on many factors.
The Iraqi community is diverse, with different regional backgrounds, personal histories and perspectives. Its story is part of the wider history of migration and cultural diversity in Belgium.
