Belgium
BELEurope & Central AsiaHigh incomeCapital: BrusselsEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
75/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$780
2027▲ 2.5%
Population
11.9M
2024▲ 0.7%
GDP per Capita
$65,275
2027▲ 2.2%
Life Expectancy
82.4 years
2023▲ 0.8%
Belgium in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Belgium· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Belgium
Belgium's GDP is $761.17B (2026), with a population of 11.9M, and GDP per capita of $63,896. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 1.0%, inflation at 1.3%, unemployment at 6.2%, government debt at 110.6% of GDP, life expectancy of 82.4 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Located in Europe and Central Asia, this high-income country has a robust economy with a GDP of $761.17 billion in 2026, ranking 22nd globally. The GDP per capita is projected to be $64,000 in 2026, reflecting a high standard of living. Real GDP growth is modest at 1.0% in 2026, with consumer price inflation at 1.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.2% in 2026, slightly higher than the previous year. The economy is highly open to trade, with trade accounting for 158.9% of GDP in 2024. Foreign direct investment inflows are negative at -6.2% of GDP in 2024, indicating net outflows. The country's GNI per capita is $55,000 in 2024, and it has a relatively low Gini Index of 26.8 in 2023, suggesting moderate income inequality. The population is approximately 11.9 million in 2024. Life expectancy at birth is 82.4 years in 2023, indicating a high standard of health. The fertility rate is 1.5 births per woman in 2023, reflecting an aging population. Health spending is substantial, at 10
▶Economy30 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Stock Markets1 indicator · 2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEL 20 | 5,455.59 | 2026 | ▲ 7.4% | WB |
▶Financial Markets3 indicators · 2025–2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Government Bond Yield (%) | 3.19% | 2025 | ▲ 8.9% | WB |
| Central Bank Policy Rate (%) | 2.26% | 2025 | ▼ 39.4% | WB |
| Exchange Rate (per USD) | 0.85 | 2026 | — | WB |
▶Currencies1 indicator · 2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.1729 | 2026 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
▶Fiscal & Monetary16 indicators · 2022–2027 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | 1.9% | 2027 | ▲ 46.2% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 113.3% | 2027 | ▲ 2.4% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | -5.6% | 2027 | ▼ 1.8% | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -0.9% | 2027 | ▲ 0.0% | IMF |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 6.1% | 2027 | ▼ 1.6% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | 3.1% | 2024 | ▼ 22.4% | WB |
| Government Revenue (% of GDP) | 37.3% | 2022 | ▼ 1.5% | WB |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP) | 39.7% | 2022 | ▼ 4.0% | WB |
| Tax Revenue (% of GDP) | 22.8% | 2022 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Taxes on Goods & Services (% of revenue) | 25.5% | 2022 | ▼ 5.6% | WB |
| Taxes on Income, Profits & Capital Gains (% of rev) | 35.0% | 2022 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Net Investment in Nonfinancial Assets (% of GDP) | 0.6% | 2022 | ▼ 6.2% | WB |
| Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD) | $41.45B | 2024 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Total Reserves (months of imports) | 0.8 | 2024 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 0.92 | 2024 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 0.7 | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
▶Trade15 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 158.9% | 2024 | ▼ 4.2% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 79.3% | 2024 | ▼ 4.2% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 79.7% | 2024 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $532.22B | 2024 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $534.80B | 2024 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $535.74B | 2024 | ▼ 5.7% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $514.39B | 2024 | ▼ 7.5% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | -6.2% | 2024 | ▼ 844.6% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 0.7% | 2024 | ▲ 142.9% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $-41.36B | 2024 | ▼ 873.6% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $15.48B | 2024 | ▲ 5.7% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 2.3% | 2024 | ▲ 2.6% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 19.6% | 2024 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -0.4% | 2024 | ▼ 307.8% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $-2.54B | 2024 | ▼ 314.2% | WB |
▶Finance7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 68.1% | 2024 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 5.7% | 2023 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 1.8% | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 98.2% | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 97.9% | 2024 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 98.6% | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 47.7% | 2024 | ▼ 7.7% | WB |
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Get Electricity (days) | 115 | 2024 | ▲ 49.9% | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 5.2% | 2024 | ▲ 472.9% | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 44.6% | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 12.8% | 2024 | ▼ 28.3% | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 61.4% | 2024 | ▲ 6.3% | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 146 years | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 14.5% | 2024 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11.9M | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 0.7% | 2024 | ▼ 21.7% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 386 | 2023 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 30,689 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 30,494 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 87.6% | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 10.4M | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 12.4% | 2024 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 82.4 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 80.3 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 84.6 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 1.5 | 2023 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 2023 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 2023 | ▼ 6.0% | WB |
| Net Migration | 31,989 | 2025 | ▼ 11.7% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 16.0% | 2024 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 63.4% | 2024 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 20.6% | 2024 | ▲ 2.0% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 57.6% | 2024 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 32.4% | 2024 | ▲ 2.2% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 25.2% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 76.3 | 2023 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 47 | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
▶Labor20 indicators · 2024–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 5.4M | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 54.3% | 2025 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 49.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 59.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 5.9% | 2025 | ▲ 3.6% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 5.6% | 2025 | ▲ 6.7% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 6.1% | 2025 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 17.8% | 2025 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 1.0% | 2025 | ▼ 2.4% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 19.2% | 2025 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 79.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 55.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 11.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 85.4% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 44.8% | 2024 | ▲ 5.5% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 3.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 46.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 51.1% | 2025 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 14.6% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 7.3% | 2024 | ▲ 8.5% | WB |
▶Education15 indicators · 2013–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 6.3% | 2022 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 12.0% | 2022 | ▲ 3.4% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 102.1% | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 143.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 82.1% | 2023 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 92.4% | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 13,226 | 2023 | ▲ 35.4% | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 6,554 | 2023 | ▲ 34.5% | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 80,763 | 2023 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 137,795 | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 11 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 9 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 23.8% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 42.1% | 2013 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 22.3% | 2016 | — | WB |
▶Health40 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment16 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 7.3 | 2024 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 87 | 2024 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
| Energy Use (kg oil eq. per capita) | 4,051 | 2023 | ▼ 7.3% | WB |
| Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) | 6,932 | 2023 | ▼ 4.8% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 23.5% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 11.7% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 11.2 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 22.6% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 6,893 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 28.3% | 2023 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 18.5% | 2024 | ▲ 3.9% | WB |
| Marine Protected Areas (%) | 38.3% | 2024 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 100.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 99.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 44.4% | 2023 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 8,486 | 2023 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 100 | 2022 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 95.9 | 2022 | ▼ 2.3% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 102.3 | 2022 | ▼ 3.0% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 324,650 | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 17,986 | 2023 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 191.7 | 2023 | ▼ 3.3% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 2.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 35.8% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 2.8M | 2023 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
▶Technology12 indicators · 2021–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 95.8% | 2024 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 103 | 2023 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 43.7 | 2023 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 36,731.9 | 2024 | ▲ 9.1% | WB |
| R&D Spending (% of GDP) | 3.41% | 2022 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Residents | 799 | 2021 | ▼ 7.3% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Non-Residents | 415 | 2021 | ▲ 44.1% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 17,612 | 2022 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $51.33B | 2024 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 14.7% | 2024 | ▲ 3.4% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $22.08B | 2024 | ▲ 6.2% | WB |
| Researchers in R&D (per million) | 6,983 | 2022 | ▲ 5.9% | WB |
▶Infrastructure9 indicators · 2011–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 11.4M | 2023 | ▲ 12.1% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 1,831.5 | 2023 | ▲ 8.5% | WB |
| Container Port Traffic (TEU) | 12.3M | 2022 | ▼ 6.0% | WB |
| Rail Lines (total km) | 3,612 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Railways, Passengers (million km) | 6,970 | 2021 | ▼ 5.8% | WB |
| Railways, Goods (million ton-km) | 6,698 | 2011 | — | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 4.00 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 0.2% | 2023 | ▼ 22.6% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 39.4% | 2023 | ▼ 13.9% | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2017–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 41.3% | 2024 | ▼ 3.1% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 50.7% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 88.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 98.4% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 3.7 | 2023 | ▼ 16.1% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 97.52 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 1.13 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 1.01 | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 1.34 | 2023 | ▼ 10.6% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 1.04 | 2023 | ▼ 15.5% | WB |
| Political Stability | 0.4 | 2023 | ▼ 30.6% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 1.17 | 2023 | ▼ 6.8% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 1.3 | 2023 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | 1.33 | 2023 | ▲ 2.2% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 89.2% | 2023 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 80.7% | 2023 | ▼ 5.0% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 88.2% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 58.3% | 2023 | ▼ 12.4% | WB |
▶Military6 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 1.3% | 2024 | ▲ 7.8% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $8.56B | 2024 | ▲ 12.2% | WB |
| Armed Forces Personnel | 24,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 0.5% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 2.4% | 2024 | ▲ 6.7% | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 1.1 | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Poverty & Inequality12 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty at $2.15/day (%) | 0.1% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Poverty at $3.65/day (%) | 0.1% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Poverty at $6.85/day (%) | 0.3% | 2023 | ▲ 50.0% | WB |
| Poverty Headcount, National (%) | 12.3% | 2022 | ▼ 6.8% | WB |
| Gini Index | 26.8 | 2023 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Income Share, Top 10% | 22.2% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 10% | 3.7% | 2023 | ▼ 2.6% | WB |
| Income Share, Top 20% | 36.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 20% | 9.1% | 2023 | ▼ 3.2% | WB |
| Shared Prosperity Premium (%) | 1.1% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Survey Mean Consumption (2017 PPP $ per day) | 69.92 | 2023 | — | WB |
| Poverty Gap at $2.15/day (%) | 0.0% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.76 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.77 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.75 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 11.2 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism6 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 2.6M | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Departures | 5.8M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $7.45B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $13.93B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 1.8% | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $844.0M | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development8 indicators · 2022–2025 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 0.7% | 2024 | ▼ 20.2% | WB |
| Population in Largest City | 2.1M | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Population in Largest City (% of urban) | 20.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Population in Agglomerations >1M (% of total) | 27.0% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 0.0% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 0.2% | 2024 | ▼ 50.7% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 99.5% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 94.9% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
