Its 1991–2020 climate normal is a mean annual temperature of 10.7 °C with 815 mm of precipitation a year (Copernicus ERA5-Land).
In its wider region (NUTS BE242), GDP was €49,800 per inhabitant (2024, Eurostat) — a regional figure, not a city value.
This profile reports 25 of the 50 indicators currently tracked for European cities; the rest are not reported for Leuven. Source: official datasets listed in the source registry.
Population & demographics
Population on 1 January, total
#220 of 426 · 48th pct · #4 in Belgium
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
#91 of 381 · 76th pct · #1 in Belgium
1,766
persons per km2 · 2022
Share of population aged 65 and over
#344 of 386 · 10th pct · #5 in Belgium
16.9%
of population · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Population on 1 January, total
Leuven: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 101,612. Higher than 206 of 426 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 38,669 to 3,677,472; median 104,735.
38,669
3,677,472
median 104,735
Leuven: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 101,612 Higher than 206 of 426 records in the same comparison group Median 104,735
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
Leuven: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 1,766. Higher than 290 of 381 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 28 to 9,215; median 1,069.
28
9,215
median 1,069
Leuven: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 1,766 Higher than 290 of 381 records in the same comparison group Median 1,069
Share of population aged 65 and over
Leuven: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 16.9%. Higher than 40 of 386 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 9.1% to 32.5%; median 20.9%.
9.1%
32.5%
median 20.9%
Leuven: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 16.9% Higher than 40 of 386 records in the same comparison group Median 20.9%
Climate (ERA5-Land normals)
Leuven climate by month Leuven monthly 1991-2020 normals. Temperature 3.5°C to 18.6°C; warmest Jul, coldest Jan. Precipitation up to 80mm per month.
20 80 15 60 10 40 5 20 0 0
°C
mm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
● mean temperature (°C, left) · ▮ precipitation (mm, right) Leuven monthly climate normals Month Temp Precip Jan 3.5°C 68mm Feb 3.9°C 63mm Mar 6.6°C 61mm Apr 9.8°C 53mm May 13.6°C 67mm Jun 16.5°C 73mm Jul 18.6°C 80mm Aug 18.3°C 80mm Sep 15.2°C 60mm Oct 11.5°C 63mm Nov 7.2°C 68mm Dec 4.2°C 79mm
ERA5-Land 1991–2020 normals.
Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#276 of 601 · 54th pct · #8 in Belgium
10.7
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#229 of 601 · 62nd pct · #9 in Belgium
3.5
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#416 of 601 · 30th pct · #3 in Belgium
18.6
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
ERA5-Land reanalysis total precipitation at the city centroid grid cell; not station weather.
#303 of 601 · 50th pct · #9 in Belgium
815
mm per year · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal)
ERA5-Land mean surface solar radiation; this is irradiance, NOT sunshine hours.
#442 of 601 · 26th pct · #13 in Belgium
124
W per m2 · centroid · 1991-2020
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Leuven: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 10.7. Higher than 323 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1.3 to 24.5; median 10.6.
1.3
24.5
median 10.6
Leuven: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 10.7 Higher than 323 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 10.6
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Leuven: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 3.5. Higher than 372 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range -9.3 to 13.5; median 2.6.
-9.3
13.5
median 2.6
Leuven: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 3.5 Higher than 372 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 2.6
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Leuven: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 18.6. Higher than 182 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 12.5 to 38.1; median 19.3.
12.5
38.1
median 19.3
Leuven: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 18.6 Higher than 182 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 19.3
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
Leuven: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 815. Higher than 298 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 261 to 2,516; median 816.
261
2,516
median 816
Leuven: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 815 Higher than 298 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 816
Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal)
Leuven: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 124. Higher than 159 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 96 to 230; median 136.
96
230
median 136
Leuven: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 124 Higher than 159 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 136
Average price for buying a house
#62 of 201 · 69th pct · #1 in Belgium
Average price for buying an apartment
#39 of 218 · 82nd pct · #2 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Average price for buying a house
Leuven: Average price for buying a house in the same year and geography grain Leuven: €474,497. Higher than 139 of 201 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €20,136 to €1,399,882; median €380,298.
€20,136
€1,399,882
median €380,298
Leuven: Average price for buying a house in the same year and geography grain
Leuven €474,497 Higher than 139 of 201 records in the same comparison group Median €380,298
Average price for buying an apartment
Leuven: Average price for buying an apartment in the same year and geography grain Leuven: €290,452. Higher than 179 of 218 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €14,900 to €652,648; median €176,563.
€14,900
€652,648
median €176,563
Leuven: Average price for buying an apartment in the same year and geography grain
Leuven €290,452 Higher than 179 of 218 records in the same comparison group Median €176,563
Unemployment rate
Eurostat city or greater-city unemployment rate for the stated year; national definitions and observation flags still apply.
#252 of 288 · 12th pct · #5 in Belgium
3.6%e
of population · 2022
Total employment/jobs (workplace based)
Workplace-based jobs reported for the Eurostat city or greater-city geography; not employed residents or job openings.
#120 of 411 · 71st pct · #2 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Unemployment rate
Leuven: Unemployment rate in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 3.6%. Higher than 36 of 288 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1.3% to 33.0%; median 7.8%.
1.3%
33.0%
median 7.8%
Leuven: Unemployment rate in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 3.6% Higher than 36 of 288 records in the same comparison group Median 7.8%
Total employment/jobs (workplace based)
Leuven: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 90,074. Higher than 291 of 411 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 8,769 to 2,091,000; median 54,000.
8,769
2,091,000
median 54,000
Leuven: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 90,074 Higher than 291 of 411 records in the same comparison group Median 54,000
Education
Share of students in higher education in the total population
#1 of 301 · 100th pct · #1 in Belgium
579
students per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Share of students in higher education in the total population
Leuven: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 579. Higher than 300 of 301 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 579; median 62.
0
579
median 62
Leuven: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 579 Higher than 300 of 301 records in the same comparison group Median 62
Crude birth rate
Annual live births per 1000 residents for the reported Eurostat geography; not a fertility rate.
#48 of 366 · 87th pct · #4 in Belgium
10
births per 1000 residents · 2022
Crude death rate
Annual deaths per 1000 residents for the reported Eurostat geography; age structure strongly affects comparisons.
#364 of 400 · 9th pct · #6 in Belgium
8
deaths per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Crude birth rate
Leuven: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 10. Higher than 318 of 366 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 4 to 24; median 8.
4
24
median 8
Leuven: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 10 Higher than 318 of 366 records in the same comparison group Median 8
Crude death rate
Leuven: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 8. Higher than 35 of 400 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 5 to 20; median 12.
5
20
median 12
Leuven: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 8 Higher than 35 of 400 records in the same comparison group Median 12
Number of registered cars per 1000 population
Registered cars per resident, not congestion, traffic speed or household car access.
#3 of 247 · 99th pct · #1 in Belgium
820
cars per 1000 population · 2022
People killed in road accidents per 10000 population
Small annual rates can be volatile; do not present as a full traffic-safety score.
#291 of 358 · 16th pct · #6 in Belgium
0
deaths per 10000 population · 2022
Length of bicycle network (dedicated cycle paths and lanes)
Reported Eurostat infrastructure length; not a cycling-mode-share or safety measure.
#136 of 328 · 59th pct · #2 in Belgium
Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone
#16 of 73 · 74th pct · #1 in Belgium
Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime
#7 of 75 · 91st pct · #2 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of registered cars per 1000 population
Leuven: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 820. Higher than 244 of 247 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 272 to 4,237; median 479.
272
4,237
median 479
Leuven: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 820 Higher than 244 of 247 records in the same comparison group Median 479
People killed in road accidents per 10000 population
Leuven: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 0. Higher than 59 of 358 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 2; median 0.
0
2
median 0
Leuven: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 0 Higher than 59 of 358 records in the same comparison group Median 0
Length of bicycle network (dedicated cycle paths and lanes)
Leuven: Length of bicycle network (dedicated cycle paths and lanes) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 464. Higher than 192 of 328 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 1,073,473; median 138.
0
1,073,473
median 138
Leuven: Length of bicycle network (dedicated cycle paths and lanes) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 464 Higher than 192 of 328 records in the same comparison group Median 138
Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone
Leuven: Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone in the same year and geography grain Leuven: €49. Higher than 54 of 73 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €10 to €100; median €29.
€10
€100
median €29
Leuven: Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone in the same year and geography grain
Leuven €49 Higher than 54 of 73 records in the same comparison group Median €29
Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime
Leuven: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain Leuven: €15. Higher than 68 of 75 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €3 to €32; median €6.
€3
€32
median €6
Leuven: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain
Leuven €15 Higher than 68 of 75 records in the same comparison group Median €6
Country price context (PPP)
Country price level index for GDP
112
EU27_2020=100 · BE · 2024
Number of museum visitors per year
Museum visitor count where reported; not a count of museums or all cultural visits.
#49 of 226 · 78th pct · #3 in Belgium
292,571b
visits per year · 2022
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Library distribution points where reported; not library visits or service quality.
#180 of 425 · 54th pct · #3 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of museum visitors per year
Leuven: Number of museum visitors per year in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 292,571. Higher than 177 of 226 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 23,305,990; median 60,998.
0
23,305,990
median 60,998
Leuven: Number of museum visitors per year in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 292,571 Higher than 177 of 226 records in the same comparison group Median 60,998
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Leuven: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain Leuven: 9. Higher than 231 of 425 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1 to 336; median 8.
1
336
median 8
Leuven: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain
Leuven 9 Higher than 231 of 425 records in the same comparison group Median 8
Regional context (NUTS) Values describe the city's NUTS region, not the city itself
Regional GDP per inhabitant
€49,800
EUR per inhabitant · BE242 · 2024
Life expectancy at birth, both sexes
Common questions What is the population of Leuven? Leuven had a population of 101,612 on 1 January 2022 (Eurostat city figure), the 220th largest of the 426 reporting city records in the same year.
What is the climate of Leuven? Its 1991–2020 ERA5-Land normal is a mean annual temperature of 10.7 °C (January 3.5 °C, July 18.6 °C) with 815 mm of precipitation a year. This is reanalysis, not station weather.
Not reported for this city: Air quality (EEA annualized), Tourism, Resident perception survey. Eurostat Urban Audit coverage is voluntary, so some indicators are unavailable for some cities.
Eurostat flags: e = estimated · b = break in time series
Every figure is an official indicator with its source linked. Ranks compare only records with the same reference year and geography grain. See the methodology .
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