English in Brussels

The maps and tables on this page use anonymised, aggregated data retrieved from Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram) in January 2026 to estimate the frequency with which different languages are used in each of the 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region. The data reflect where people are located when using Meta platforms and which languages they are believed to be using, based on the language of the content they follow, of their app settings, and of the posts they engage with.

The estimates based on these data do not represent language proficiency, home language, origin, or the size of linguistic communities, but they do provide plausible estimates of language exposure and preferences. Several methodological factors must be borne in mind, however. Firstly, the use of English is likely overstated due to its being a default fallback language in device settings and the heavy exposure to English-language content on social media. Secondly, because platforms like Facebook and Instagram primarily reflect personal, social, and family networks, languages used predominantly in professional settings may be understated. Thirdly, the numbers include people who do not reside permanently in Brussels (such as daily commuters and visitors), which explains why estimates can exceed official population sizes. Finally, the estimates reflect the active user base of Meta platforms, though widespread digital penetration ensures coverage of a broad cross-section of the population.

Despite these limitations, these estimates constitute an informative and novel empirical supplement to other sources such as census and survey data — including the remarkable Taalbarometer — whose high fielding costs often prevent data as granular as this. A number of studies have made similar use of this data: