This is an overview of the development of population censuses in Belgium. Commentary on census purposes and objectives is followed by a history of the census in Belgium, with attention paid to intervals between censuses and to methodologies. Background on the development of survey questions is provided, concerning areas such as social class, nationality, fertility in marriage, educational status, languages spoken, and residence by communal subdivision. There is a discussion of the 1981 housing survey, with a focus on objectives and methodology. Finally, the future of the population census in Belgium is addressed, with a critical analysis of current practices and proposals for alternatives to the traditional population census report.