Belgium

Quick Facts

🇧🇪
Capital:
Brussels
Official Language(s):
German, French, Dutch
Currency:
Euro (€)
Population:
11,555,997

Overview

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the south, and the North Sea to the west. Belgium covers an area of 30,689 km2 (11,849 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.7 million; its population density of 383/km2 (990/sq mi) ranks 22nd in the world and sixth in Europe. The capital and largest metropolitan region is Brussels; other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $598,494,036,474.409B(2021) GDP, showing strong growth at 6.2%(2021). Advanced economy with high living standards.

GDP Growth
6.2%(2021)
GDP PPP
$702,256,972,634.048

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 70.7%(2021) in services, 18.0%(2021) in industry, and 0.7%(2021) in agriculture. Service-oriented advanced economy.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show 6.2%(2021) unemployment and 2.4%(2021) inflation. Trade profile with 89.6%(2021) exports and 87.8%(2021) imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
6.2%(2021)
Inflation
2.4%(2021)
Exports/GDP
89.6%(2021)
Imports/GDP
87.8%(2021)

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

21.4

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

1.9

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

92.8

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

101.1

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

10.7

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents 177.39%(2021) of GDP, with a trade balance of 1.87%(2021).

FDI Inflows
5.91%(2021)
FDI Outflows
9.81%(2021)

Financial Security

External Debt

N/A

Foreign Reserves

$41.87B(2021)(0.9 months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
3.65%(2021)
High-Tech Exports
21.38%(2021)

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
10.75%(2021)
Services
70.75%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    60.9/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    44.0/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    36.9/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 11,586,195(2021) with 0.4%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 1.6 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    81.79 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    10.2 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (63.9%(2021)) with youth at 16.7%(2021) and elderly at 19.5%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 56.6%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    26.1%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    30.5%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 50.7%(2021) female and 49.3%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.047 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: 24,017(2021).

    Male Mortality
    80.681/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    47.204/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at 0.5%(2021) annually, with 1.9%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: N/A.

    Urbanization
    98.1%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    3.1 per 1,000(2021)

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 28.4%(2021) of territory, with 44.8%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: 7,906.2 kg/hectare(2021).

    Food Production Index
    102.85(2021)
    Cereal Production
    2,452,580 MT(2021)

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 100.0%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of 847 m³/capita(2021) per person. Annual precipitation: 22.604 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    1.0%(2021)

    Environmental Vulnerability

    1035.7%(2021) of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at 1.0%(2021) providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    22.604 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: 255,000,000(2021) ( 92000000.00%(2021) of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    74,063 USD(2021)
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Refugee population: 305,582(2021)Internally displaced: 333,958(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features

    • Borders 4 countries