Belgium facts

Belgium country factbook

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This in-depth profile of Belgium includes geography, people, government, economy and transnational issues.

Transnational Issues


National flag
Three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colours are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field).


Map of Belgium

Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Total area: 30,528 sq km
Land area: 30,278 sq km
Water area: 250 sq km
Comparative area: About the size of Maryland.
Total land boundaries: 1,385 km
Coastline: 66.5 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea 12 nm; contiguous zone 24 nm; exclusive economic zone geographic coordinates define outer limit; continental shelf median line with neighbours.
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.
Lowest point: North Sea 0 m
Highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Natural resources: Construction materials, silica sand, carbonates.
Land use: Arable lad 27.42 percent; permanent crops 0.69 percent, other 71.89 percent.. Note: includes Luxembourg (2005).
Irrigated land: 400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 20.8 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): Total 7.44 cu km/yr (13 percent/85 percent/1 percent); per capita 714 cu m/yr (1998).
Natural hazards: Flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes.
Note: Crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO.

10,431,477 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.9% (male 846,706/female 812,486)
Median age:

total: 42.3 years
male: 41 years
female: 43.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate:
0.071% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Birth rate:
10.06 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Death rate:
10.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Net migration rate:
country comparison to the world: 51

urban population: 97% of total population (2010)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.045 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 194
male: 4.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.51 years
country comparison to the world: 37
male: 76.35 years
female: 82.81 years (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
People living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS deaths: Fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
Nationality: Noun Belgian(s); adjective Belgian.
Ethnic groups: Fleming 58 percent, Walloon 31 percent, mixed or other 11 percent.
Religions: Roman Catholic 75 percent, other (includes Protestant) 25 percent.
Languages: Dutch (official) 60 percent, French (official) 40 percent, German (official) less than 1 percent, legally bilingual (Dutch and French).
Literacy (age 15+ can read and write): Total population 99 percent (male 99 percent/female  99 percent) (2003 est.)
School-life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): Total 16 years (male 16 years/female 16 years) (2006)
Education expenditures: 6 percent of GDP (2007)

Country name:
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium; conventional short form: Belgium; local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie; local short form: Belgique/Belgie.
Government type: Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
Capital: Brussels (geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 20 E);
time difference UTC+1; daylight saving time (+1hr) begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October.
Independence: 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascended to the throne).
National holiday: 21 July (1831) ascension to the throne of King Leopold I.
Constitution: 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state.
Legal system: Based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations.
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory.
Executive branch:

  • Chief of state: King Albert II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince Philippe, son of the monarch.
  • Head of government: Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy (30 December 2008).
  • Cabinet: Council of Ministers is formally appointed by the monarch.



Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries.Other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants.
International organisation participation: ACCT, ADB (non-regional members), AfDB (non-regional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (non-regional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC.
Diplomatic representation in the US: Chief of mission: Ambassador Jan Matthysen; chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900; fax: [1] (202) 333-3079; consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York.
Diplomatic representation from the US: Chief of mission:Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN; Charge d'Affaires Wayne Bush; embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels; postal address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710; telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111; fax: [32] (2) 511-2725.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$396.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$388.7 billion (2009 est.)
$399.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): 2.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
-2.7% (2009 est.)
0.8% (2008 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1 percent (2008 est.); 2.6 percent (2007 est.); 3 percent (2006 est.)
GDP per capita (PPP): $37,900 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$37,300 (2009 est.)
$38,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 22.1%
services: 77.2% (2010 est.)
Labour force: 4.99 million (2008)
Labour force by occupation:5.02 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Unemployment rate: 8.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line: 15.2 percent (2007 est.)
highest 10%: 28.4% (2006) 28.4 percent (2000)
Distribution of family income (Gini index): 28 (2005); 28.7 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed): 20.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Budget: revenues: USD220.6 billion, expenditures: USD242.6 billion (2010 est.)
Public debt:
98.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
96.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 42.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
0% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:1.75% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 118
3% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.15% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
7.03% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of money: $172.9 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 19
$178.7 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of quasi money: NA (31 December 2008); NA (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit: USD801.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
USD767.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares: $261.4 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 27
$167.4 billion (31 December 2008)
$386.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture products: Sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco, beef, veal, pork, milk.
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity production: 82.94 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity consumption: 84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity exports: 6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity imports: 17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil production:11,220 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Oil consumption: 608,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Oil exports: 433,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil imports: 1.12 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Proved oil reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas production: 0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 17.39 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas imports: 17.34 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Proved natural gas reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2008)
Current account balance: -$1.129 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$1.251 billion (2009 est.)
Exports: $279.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$261.1 billion (2009 est.)
Export commodities: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs.
Export partners: Germany 19.58%, France 17.71%, Netherlands 11.84%, UK 7.21%, US 5.37%, Italy 4.77% (2009)
Imports: USD 387.7 billion (2008 est.); USD 320.9 billion (2007 est.)
Import commodities: Raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products.
Import partners: Netherlands 17.93%, Germany 17.14%, France 11.69%, Ireland 6.26%, US 5.74%, UK 5.07%, China 4.09% (2009).
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: USD 15.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.); USD 16.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
External debt: $1.241 trillion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 12
$1.354 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment (at home):$741.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$705.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment (abroad): $632.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$595.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)

Telephones lines in use:
4.255 million (2008)
Mobile telephones: 12.419 million (2009)
Telephone system: Highly developed, technologically advanced and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities. Domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network. International: country code 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007).
Broadcast media:
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations: 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:. .be
Internet hosts: 4.465 million (2010)
Internet users: 8.113 million (2009)

43 (2010)
Airports with paved runways: Total 27; over 3,047 m 6; 2,438 to 3,047 m 8; 1,524 to 2,437 m 3; 914 to 1,523 m 1; under 914 m 9 (2010)
Airports with unpaved runways: Total 16; 914 to 1,523 m 1; under 914 m 15 (2010)
Heliports: 1 (2010)
Pipelines: Gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2009)
Railways: Total 3,233 km; standard gauge 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways: Total 152,256 km; paved 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways); unpaved 33,177 km (2006)
Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2010)
Merchant marine: total: 81
country comparison to the world: 55
Ports and terminals: Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge

Military branches: Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2010)
females age 16-49: 2,291,689 (2010 est.)
females age 16-49: 1,877,268 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 59,665
female: 57,142 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures: 1.3 percent of GDP (2005 est.)

Transnational issues
International disputes: None.
Illicit drugs: Growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; trans-shipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy.


CIA World Factbook (April 2010) / Expatica



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