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Belgium
Belgium
Population
11.9M
Rank #81Source: World Bank
Capital
Brussels
Source: REST Countries
Region
Europe
Europe & Central Asia
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$671.37B
Rank #22Source: World Bank
Land Area
30.5K km²
Rank #137Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
82.398 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 30,528 km²
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation: mean elevation: 181 m lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Botrange 694 m
Natural Hazards: flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environmental Issues: intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for...
Land Use: agricultural land: 44.1% (2011 est.) forest: 22.4% (2011 est.) other: 33.5% (2011 est.)
Geography Note: crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Natural Resources
construction materialssilica sandcarbonatesarable land
People & Society
Fertility Rate
1.47
Population
11.9M
Ethnic Groups
Belgian (75.2%)Italian (4.1%)Moroccan (3.7%)French (2.4%)Turkish (2%)Dutch (2%)other (10.6%)
Religions
Roman Catholic (50%)Protestant and other Christian (2.5%)Muslim (5%)Jewish (0.4%)Buddhist (0.3%)atheist (9.2%)none (32.6%)
Economy
GDP per Capita
$56,614.568
GDP per Capita PPP
73,514.483
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
55,290
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
26.8
(2023)
(2023)
Unemployment
5.7%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
3.143%
(2024)
(2024)
Public Debt
Not Available
Energy
Electricity Access
100%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
11.7%
(2021)
(2021)
CO₂ Emissions
86.646 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
3.4 MJ/$
(2022)
(2022)
Renewable Electricity
23.543%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
22.604% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
95.776%
(2024)
(2024)
Mobile Penetration
103.196%
(2023)
(2023)
Broadband Subscribers
43.703%
(2023)
(2023)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
1,831.477 M ton-km
(2023)
(2023)
Container Port Traffic
12,303,822 TEU
(2022)
(2022)
Airports
112,605
Rail Lines
3,612 km
Roads Total
N/A
Military
Military Forces
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Component, Naval Component, Air Component, Medical Service
Personnel Strength
the Belgian Armed Forces have approximately 27,000 active duty personnel (10,500 Army; 1,500 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 1,200 Medical Service; 9,000 other, including joint staff, support, and training...
Military Expenditure (USD)
$8.56B
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)
1.28%
Military Expenditure History
0.93% of GDP (2019) 0.93% of GDP (2018) 0.9% of GDP (2017) 0.91% of GDP (2016) 0.92% of GDP (2015)
Deployments
125 France (contributing member of EuroCorps); 100 Mali (EUTM/MINUSMA); est. 260 Baltic States (NATO) (2020)
Equipment & Inventories
the Belgian Armed Forces have a mix of weapons systems from European countries, Israel, and the US; since 2010, France, Germany, and Switzerland are the leading suppliers of armaments; Belgium has an...
Service Age & Obligation
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
112.431%
(2020)
(2020)
Primary Enrollment
102.108%
(2023)
(2023)
Secondary Enrollment
142.96%
(2023)
(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
82.148%
(2023)
(2023)
Education Spending
6.278% of GDP
(2022)
(2022)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
11.277:1
(2017)
(2017)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
3.574
(2022)
(2022)
Safe Water Access
100%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
99.547%
(2024)
(2024)
Under-5 Mortality
3.6 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
22.267 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
79.285
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
86
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
97%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
0.1%
(2023)
(2023)
Food Insecurity
2.5%
(2023)
(2023)
Youth NEET Rate
17.418%
(2024)
(2024)
Governance
Women in Government
41.333%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
1.33
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Political Stability
0.40
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
1.04
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
1.17
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Rule of Law
1.29
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
1.34
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Legal System
civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative...
Executive Branch
chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH (daughter of the monarch, born 25 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 1...
Legislative Branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:Senate or Senaat (in Dutch), Senat (in French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof (in Dutch) and Cour Constitutionelle (in French) (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice...
International Organizations
National Symbols
Flag Description
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red...
National Symbols
golden rampant lion; national colors: red, black, yellow
National Anthem
name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT note: adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre...
Safety
Homicide Rate
1.08 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Travel Information
Language(s): German, French, Dutch
Currency: EUR (€)
Timezone(s): UTC+01:00
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Right
Calling Code: +32
Car Sign: B
Week Starts: Monday
Photos
Sightseeing boat on a Brugge canal. The name of Brugge, often called the Venice of the North, is believed to come from the Old Norse word Bryggia meaning 'mooring place.' The canals were important in getting trading goods to their destination. Today, they are used exclusively for tourist boats.
Sightseeing boat on a Brugge canal. The name of Brugge, often called the Venice of the North, is believed to come from the Old Norse word Bryggia meaning 'mooring place.' The canals were important in getting trading goods to their destination. Today, they are used exclusively for tourist boats. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The Grand Place (Grand Square) or Grote Markt (Grand Market) is the central square of Brussels; it is bounded by opulent guildhalls and two major edifices, the Hotel de Ville/Stadhuis (City Hall) and the King's House or Breadhouse building that houses the Brussels City Museum. Measuring 68 by 110 m (223 by 361 ft), the Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. Considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
The Grand Place (Grand Square) or Grote Markt (Grand Market) is the central square of Brussels; it is bounded by opulent guildhalls and two major edifices, the Hotel de Ville/Stadhuis (City Hall) and the King's House or Breadhouse building that houses the Brussels City Museum. Measuring 68 by 110 m (223 by 361 ft), the Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. Considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Area comparison map
Area comparison map • CIA World Factbook • 2020
CIA World Factbook • 2020
Manneken Pis is a landmark 61 cm (24 in) bronze fountain sculpture in the center of Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. Erected in 1618 or 1619, the current statue is a replica that dates from 1965. The original is preserved in the Brussels City Museum. While Manneken Pis is one of the best-known attractions of Brussels, many tourists are taken aback by its small size.
Manneken Pis is a landmark 61 cm (24 in) bronze fountain sculpture in the center of Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. Erected in 1618 or 1619, the current statue is a replica that dates from 1965. The original is preserved in the Brussels City Museum. While Manneken Pis is one of the best-known attractions of Brussels, many tourists are taken aback by its small size. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Antwerp's City Hall (Stadhuis) stands on the western side of the Grote Markt (Great Market Square). Built between 1561 and 1565, it displays both Flemish and Italian architectural influences.
Antwerp's City Hall (Stadhuis) stands on the western side of the Grote Markt (Great Market Square). Built between 1561 and 1565, it displays both Flemish and Italian architectural influences. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
29 photos available
View All Photos→Data sources: World Bank, UN Data • Updated daily •Learn about our data