Contraceptive use in Belgium: rising figures and changing choices

The use of contraception in Belgium is on the rise. Today, around eight in ten women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) use some form of contraception.

This share has risen in recent years, with particularly strong growth among young people: more than 90% of women aged 15 to 21 report using contraception.

Which methods are most commonly used?

The contraceptive pill remains the most widely used method, both among young people and adults. However, a clear trend is emerging: pill use is gradually declining. In 2013, more than half of women were still using the pill, but that proportion has decreased since then.

At the same time, alternatives are gaining popularity. The intrauterine device (IUD), in particular, is on the rise and has become the main alternative among adult women. In addition, women are increasingly opting for other methods such as the vaginal ring, hormonal implant, contraceptive injection, and contraceptive patch.

Administrative data also reflect this shift: the use of the traditional pill is declining, while the use of IUDs and emergency contraception is increasing. This points to a broader trend towards long-acting and less user-dependent contraceptive methods.

Reimbursement through mandatory health insurance

Access to contraception in Belgium is closely linked to the reimbursement system. For a long time, contraception was only reimbursed by the mandatory health insurance scheme in cases of medical necessity. 

This changed in 2004 with a pilot project introducing additional reimbursement for people under 21. The system was made permanent in 2013 and later extended to those up to 25 years old in 2020.

In addition, reimbursement was extended to people eligible for increased reimbursement, and the morning-after pill became reimbursed for all age groups.

However, reimbursement is not universal. Since 2021, certain traditional contraceptive pills are no longer reimbursed for women over 25 who are not eligible for increased reimbursement. As a result, differences in access remain.

Demographic differences

There are also clear differences in use depending on age and socio-economic status. Younger women are more likely to use reimbursed contraception, partly due to targeted policy measures.

In certain regions and among lower socio-economic groups, usage is lower, and barrier methods such as condoms — which are not reimbursed — are more commonly used

Additional reimbursement through health insurance funds

Finally, it is important to note that, in addition to reimbursement through mandatory health insurance, health insurance funds may offer additional reimbursements for contraceptive methods. 

These extra benefits can significantly reduce costs, making it worthwhile to explore them. Use the “contraception” option in our comparison tool to check which fund offers which benefit in this area.

In summary, contraceptive use in Belgium remains high and continues to grow, with clear shifts in preferences and ongoing challenges in terms of accessibility and equality.