Its 1991–2020 climate normal is a mean annual temperature of 10.9 °C with 788 mm of precipitation a year (Copernicus ERA5-Land).
In its wider region (NUTS BE212), GDP was €58,100 per inhabitant (2024, Eurostat) — a regional figure, not a city value.
This profile reports 27 of the 50 indicators currently tracked for European cities; the rest are not reported for Mechelen. Source: official datasets listed in the source registry.
Population & demographics
Population on 1 January, total
#271 of 426 · 36th pct · #5 in Belgium
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
#146 of 381 · 62nd pct · #4 in Belgium
1,322
persons per km2 · 2022
Share of population aged 65 and over
#322 of 386 · 16th pct · #4 in Belgium
17.6%
of population · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Population on 1 January, total
Mechelen: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 87,291. Higher than 155 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
Mechelen: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 87,291 Higher than 155 of 426 records in the same comparison group Median 104,735
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
Mechelen: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 1,322. Higher than 235 of 381 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 28 to 9,215; median 1,069.
28
9,215
median 1,069
Mechelen: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 1,322 Higher than 235 of 381 records in the same comparison group Median 1,069
Share of population aged 65 and over
Mechelen: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 17.6%. Higher than 61 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%
Mechelen: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 17.6% Higher than 61 of 386 records in the same comparison group Median 20.9%
Climate (ERA5-Land normals)
Mechelen climate by month Mechelen monthly 1991-2020 normals. Temperature 3.7°C to 18.7°C; warmest Jul, coldest Jan. Precipitation up to 78mm 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) Mechelen monthly climate normals Month Temp Precip Jan 3.7°C 67mm Feb 4.2°C 61mm Mar 6.8°C 59mm Apr 10.0°C 51mm May 13.8°C 64mm Jun 16.7°C 70mm Jul 18.7°C 77mm Aug 18.5°C 78mm Sep 15.4°C 57mm Oct 11.7°C 62mm Nov 7.4°C 66mm Dec 4.4°C 76mm
ERA5-Land 1991–2020 normals.
Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#254 of 601 · 58th pct · #3 in Belgium
10.9
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#218 of 601 · 64th pct · #7 in Belgium
3.7
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#395 of 601 · 34th pct · #1 in Belgium
18.7
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
ERA5-Land reanalysis total precipitation at the city centroid grid cell; not station weather.
#328 of 601 · 45th pct · #15 in Belgium
788
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.
#447 of 601 · 26th pct · #14 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)
Mechelen: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 10.9. Higher than 347 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
Mechelen: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 10.9 Higher than 347 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 10.6
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Mechelen: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 3.7. Higher than 383 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
Mechelen: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 3.7 Higher than 383 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 2.6
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Mechelen: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 18.7. Higher than 206 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
Mechelen: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 18.7 Higher than 206 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 19.3
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
Mechelen: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 788. Higher than 273 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 261 to 2,516; median 816.
261
2,516
median 816
Mechelen: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 788 Higher than 273 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 816
Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal)
Mechelen: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 124. Higher than 154 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 96 to 230; median 136.
96
230
median 136
Mechelen: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 124 Higher than 154 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 136
Air quality (EEA annualized)
Annual mean NO2 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
#79 of 329 · 76th pct · #3 in Belgium
Annual mean O3 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
#213 of 281 · 24th pct · #4 in Belgium
Annual mean PM2.5 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
#179 of 298 · 40th pct · #3 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Annual mean NO2 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
Mechelen: Annual mean NO2 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 21. Higher than 250 of 329 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 5 to 35; median 16.
5
35
median 16
Mechelen: Annual mean NO2 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 21 Higher than 250 of 329 records in the same comparison group Median 16
Annual mean O3 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
Mechelen: Annual mean O3 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 47. Higher than 68 of 281 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 33 to 81; median 52.
33
81
median 52
Mechelen: Annual mean O3 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 47 Higher than 68 of 281 records in the same comparison group Median 52
Annual mean PM2.5 concentration from EEA monthly city averages
Mechelen: Annual mean PM2.5 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 9. Higher than 119 of 298 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 3 to 22; median 9.
3
22
median 9
Mechelen: Annual mean PM2.5 concentration from EEA monthly city averages in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 9 Higher than 119 of 298 records in the same comparison group Median 9
Average price for buying a house
#112 of 201 · 44th pct · #4 in Belgium
Average price for buying an apartment
#48 of 218 · 78th pct · #4 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Average price for buying a house
Mechelen: Average price for buying a house in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: €359,967. Higher than 89 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
Mechelen: Average price for buying a house in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen €359,967 Higher than 89 of 201 records in the same comparison group Median €380,298
Average price for buying an apartment
Mechelen: Average price for buying an apartment in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: €271,944. Higher than 170 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
Mechelen: Average price for buying an apartment in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen €271,944 Higher than 170 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.
#238 of 288 · 17th pct · #4 in Belgium
4.2%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.
#186 of 411 · 55th pct · #5 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Unemployment rate
Mechelen: Unemployment rate in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 4.2%. Higher than 50 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%
Mechelen: Unemployment rate in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 4.2% Higher than 50 of 288 records in the same comparison group Median 7.8%
Total employment/jobs (workplace based)
Mechelen: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 60,179. Higher than 225 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
Mechelen: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 60,179 Higher than 225 of 411 records in the same comparison group Median 54,000
Education
Share of students in higher education in the total population
#119 of 301 · 60th pct · #4 in Belgium
77
students per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Share of students in higher education in the total population
Mechelen: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 77. Higher than 182 of 301 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 579; median 62.
0
579
median 62
Mechelen: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 77 Higher than 182 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.
#8 of 366 · 98th pct · #1 in Belgium
12
births per 1000 residents · 2022
Crude death rate
Annual deaths per 1000 residents for the reported Eurostat geography; age structure strongly affects comparisons.
#350 of 400 · 12th pct · #5 in Belgium
9
deaths per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Crude birth rate
Mechelen: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 12. Higher than 358 of 366 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 4 to 24; median 8.
4
24
median 8
Mechelen: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 12 Higher than 358 of 366 records in the same comparison group Median 8
Crude death rate
Mechelen: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 9. Higher than 50 of 400 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 5 to 20; median 12.
5
20
median 12
Mechelen: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 9 Higher than 50 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.
#221 of 247 · 11th pct · #6 in Belgium
394
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.
#283 of 358 · 19th pct · #5 in Belgium
0
deaths per 10000 population · 2022
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
#18 of 75 · 76th pct · #5 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of registered cars per 1000 population
Mechelen: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 394. Higher than 26 of 247 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 272 to 4,237; median 479.
272
4,237
median 479
Mechelen: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 394 Higher than 26 of 247 records in the same comparison group Median 479
People killed in road accidents per 10000 population
Mechelen: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 0. Higher than 68 of 358 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 2; median 0.
0
2
median 0
Mechelen: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 0 Higher than 68 of 358 records in the same comparison group Median 0
Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone
Mechelen: Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: €49. Higher than 54 of 73 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €10 to €100; median €29.
€10
€100
median €29
Mechelen: Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen €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
Mechelen: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: €12. Higher than 57 of 75 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €3 to €32; median €6.
€3
€32
median €6
Mechelen: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen €12 Higher than 57 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.
#110 of 226 · 51st pct · #4 in Belgium
66,277b
visits per year · 2022
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Library distribution points where reported; not library visits or service quality.
#293 of 425 · 25th pct · #6 in Belgium
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of museum visitors per year
Mechelen: Number of museum visitors per year in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 66,277. Higher than 116 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
Mechelen: Number of museum visitors per year in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 66,277 Higher than 116 of 226 records in the same comparison group Median 60,998
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Mechelen: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain Mechelen: 4. Higher than 105 of 425 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1 to 336; median 8.
1
336
median 8
Mechelen: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain
Mechelen 4 Higher than 105 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
€58,100
EUR per inhabitant · BE212 · 2024
Life expectancy at birth, both sexes
Common questions What is the population of Mechelen? Mechelen had a population of 87,291 on 1 January 2022 (Eurostat city figure), the 271st largest of the 426 reporting city records in the same year.
What is the climate of Mechelen? Its 1991–2020 ERA5-Land normal is a mean annual temperature of 10.9 °C (January 3.7 °C, July 18.7 °C) with 788 mm of precipitation a year. This is reanalysis, not station weather.
Not reported for this city: 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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