As we move ahead in the second decade of the 21st century, the importance of religion in the lives of people is constantly changing. With the increased dependence on technology and presence of countless materialistic distractions, religion has taken a backseat in developed countries and Belgium is no exception to this. A closer examination of recent trends reveals some intriguing facts and throws light on the way the Belgian society is shaping up for the future.

The demographics of religious beliefs reveal that Roman Catholicism still remains the predominant religion in Belgium. It is noteworthy that by 2009, Sunday mass attendance had dropped to 5.4 % as opposed to 42.9 % in 1967. Islam is the second largest practised religion with 6 % adherents. The remaining minorities consist of Protestants, Jews, Orthodox and Anglicans. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism have also seen increasing numbers with the influx of skilled workers and trade with Asia. Of particular interest is a 2006 survey in Flanders which showed that 55% of the population calling themselves religious.

Studies have shown that decline in church attendance in Belgium is correlated with researchers from the university noting that a "pick and choose" Catholicism has been emerging which is closely related to secularization on collective and individual levels. However, despite the decline in faith and religiosity, several institutions attached to the Church or with a Catholic identity including the university have survived.

Looking back at the history of religion in Belgium, for a long time spanning the Spanish military conquest of 1592 until the re-establishment of religious freedom in 1781 by the Patent of Toleration under Joseph II of Austria, Roman Catholicism was the only religion allowed in Belgium. When the Kingdom of Belgium was formed in 1830, Roman Catholicism proved to be a great binding factor uniting the people despite the differences in language. With the opening up of European borders and need for skilled workers in the late 20th and early 21st century, the influx of people from the Middle East, Morocco and Egypt, has led to increased Muslim masses as well.

The decline in religiosity in Belgium is also found to be closely linked to the evolving value system and family life. As per the official statistics from the Office for National Statistics (UK), Belgium had the lowest marriage rate in the EU at 3.9 per 1,000 people, with the current generation preferring to go for live-in relationships in place of marriage. Again, the same source reports that Belgium had the highest divorce rate at 3.0 per 1,000 married people.

However, institutions of religious practice and worship continue to remain functional and open to the public. In particular, Leuven offers a diverse religious life with churches of several denominations and mosques. The University Parish celebrates the Eucharist in the Chapel of Justus Lipsius College, Minderbroedersstraat 15 at 10:30 am every Sunday and is open to both international and Flemish students, regardless of their cultural, religious or political backgrounds. A Roman Catholic mass is held in Spanish at Saint Michael's Church, Naamsestraat on Sundays at 12:00 noon. The International Muslim Students Association of Leuven has a Student Mosque at Rijschoolstraat 25: daily 5 prayers and Friday prayer in both Arabic and English. A Dutch protestant Service is held every Sunday at 10:00 am at Jesuit Church, Waversebaan 220, Heverlee. The Anglican community gathers every Sunday at 6:30 pm for a service in the chapel of the Justus Lipsius College. The International Church of Evangelicals in Leuven holds services in the Pauscollege on Sundays at 10:00 am. The Orthodox Parish of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mattheos has services on Saturdays at 6:00 pm and Sundays at 10:00 am in Dutch and Old-Slavonic at Tervuursestraat 56.

Elsewhere across Belgium, religious freedom provided by the constitution has helped people of different faiths practice their religion freely. The largest Jain temple outside of India was recently opened in Wilrijk, Antwerp in August 2010 overlooking the exquisite Antwerp Indians cricket ground. The temple was sculpted entirely with white granite in India by traditional craftsmen, and then transported to the Antwerp port. Likewise, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has established seven centres in Belgium of which the most notable is Radhadesh, a spiritual community founded in 1979 based in the Château de Petite Somme in Septon-Durbuy – a 19th century castle in the Belgian Ardennes. The community and facilities are spread over 47 hectares, and includes pasturing grounds and scenic woodland with around 100 people living in the community.