Introduction

For Belgium, the first-, second-, third-, and fourth-level administrative divisions are called regions, provinces, administrative districts ("arrondissements administratifs"), and municipalities ("communes"), respectively. Statistics Belgium provides a statistical geographic classification with numeric codes. We have synthesized these into coherent annual lists ("geo code vintages") at the upper three levels, which you can use to answer questions like "at time T, what are the component administrative districts D of region R?" We account for the three possible circumstances:

1. The boundaries of an existing area change, but its name is retained: Replace the area by declaring a new geo code, and substitute into the "after" vintage.
2. A new area is created, usually in conjunction with the redefinition of an existing area: Declare a new geo code, and add to the "after" vintage.
3. An existing area is terminated, usually because it has fissioned: Retire the geo code from the "after" vintage.

Note that an area (hence geo code) may continue to be used for statistics even after it has been terminated as an administrative entity. We do not double-guess our historical sources.

Summary of mutations

Table 1. Counts of areas at each geo level, and mutations between the vintages.

Specific mutations

Table 2. Regions retired.

Table 3. Regions added.

Table 4. Provinces retired.

Table 5. Provinces added.

Table 6. Administrative districts retired (vintage 2018). Unless otherwise noted, we have dropped these geo codes from the "after" vintage.

Table 7. Administrative districts added (vintage 2019). Unless otherwise noted, new geo codes result from a "before" area which undergoes fission.

Reference files

The reference file is an Excel workbook with a separate worksheet for each geo type, tabulating (as applicable) the area name, type, INS code, Data Buffet geo code, and parent state.

The "after" geo vintage:

• Go to: DataBuffet.com » menu:Documentation » Reference Files » Geographies » Belgium - Geographic Lists - 2019
• Direct link: IBEL_GeographyLists_2019.xlsx

The "before" geo vintage:

• Go to: ... » Geographies » Belgium - Geographic Lists - 2018
• Direct link: IBEL_GeographyLists_2018.xlsx

References

• Modification des codes INS des communes et des arrondissements administratifs à partir du 1er janvier 2019 (Nov 2018)
• Découpages géographiques

See also

• Using Data Buffet: Geography changes
• Using Data Buffet: Geo wild cards
• Using Data Buffet: Geo lists
• Using Data Buffet: FIPS codes for geographies
• FAQ: Why doesn't Data Buffet use provider geo codes?