Belgium

1,199 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

1,199

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

241

Highest risk

Endangered

321

Very high risk

Vulnerable

637

High risk

Declining

9%

104 species

Category Breakdown
CR 241
EN 321
VU 637
CR: 241
EN: 321
VU: 637

Critically Endangered

24120%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

32127%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

63753%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 1,199 species

Species by Group
🦗

insects

617

617 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

195

195 threatened

🌱

plants

171

171 threatened

🍄

fungi

83

83 threatened

🐟

fishes

41

41 threatened

🐦

birds

22

22 threatened

🐚

molluscs

22

22 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

19

19 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

14

14 threatened

🐾

mammals

8

8 threatened

🐸

amphibians

4

4 threatened

🪸

corals

2

2 threatened

🐢

reptiles

1

1 threatened

Global Share

2.15%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#30

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

0

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Belgium's biodiversity reflects its position at the crossroads of Atlantic, Continental, and Alpine biogeographical regions. The country's compact territory encompasses diverse ecosystems including the Ardennes forests, Flemish coastal dunes, Kempen heathlands, and extensive river valleys of the Scheldt and Meuse. Despite its small size, Belgium supports significant populations of migratory birds along the East Atlantic Flyway and harbors endemic invertebrate species in its ancient forest fragments and limestone caves.

The IUCN Red List 2025 data reveals an alarming situation: all 62 assessed species are threatened, with every single species classified as Critically Endangered. This unprecedented threat level reflects Belgium's position as one of Europe's most densely populated and industrialized nations. Urban sprawl fragments the remaining 23% forest cover, while intensive agriculture dominates 45% of the landscape.

The Flemish Region faces particular pressure from port expansion around Antwerp and Zeebrugge, threatening coastal wetlands crucial for waterbirds. Nitrogen deposition from agriculture and industry severely impacts the Kempen's unique heathland ecosystems. River systems suffer from historical channelization and ongoing pollution, affecting freshwater biodiversity.

Climate change compounds these pressures, with rising sea levels threatening the narrow coastal zone and shifting precipitation patterns affecting the Ardennes montane ecosystems.

Temperate Deciduous ForestsCoastal Dunes and WetlandsHeathlandsRiver ValleysAgricultural LandscapesUrban Ecosystems
Top Threats
1.Habitat fragmentation139 species
2.Agricultural intensification100 species
3.Agricultural intensification and pesticide use98 species
4.Urban development and infrastructure expansion96 species
5.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources83 species
6.Habitat loss and fragmentation75 species
7.Logging & wood harvesting72 species
8.Urban and residential development62 species

Protected Areas

45 areas · 3,507 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Belgium: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/BE

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Belgium?
Belgium has 1,199 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 241 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Belgium have?
Of the 1,199 threatened species in Belgium, 241 are Critically Endangered, 321 are Endangered, and 637 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Belgium?
Among the 241 Critically Endangered species in Belgium, Allis Shad (Alosa alosa) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Belgium?
Belgium has 45 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Hautes Fagnes-Eifel, Nieuwpoort, Nieuwpoort-Oostduinkerke, and Trapegeer-Stroombank, among 41 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Belgium?
The most affected groups in Belgium, by number of threatened species, are insects (617), arachnids (195), and plants (171). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Belgium?
The leading threats to threatened species in Belgium are habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification, agricultural intensification and pesticide use, and urban development and infrastructure expansion. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many of Belgium's threatened species have declining populations?
104 of Belgium's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Belgium compare to other countries for threatened species?
Belgium ranks #30 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 2.15% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Belgium come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Belgium profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.