Cancer mortality by migrant background in Belgium during the 2000s: patterns and social determinants

•Site-specific cancer mortality differs by migrant background.•First-generation Moroccan and Turkish immigrants have overall lower cancer mortality than Belgians.•Cancer mortality of first-generation immigrants from industrialised countries is similar to Belgians.•Cancer mortality for a number of sites increases for migrants’ offspring.•A lower socio-economic position relates to higher cancer mortality.