Belgium

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830. The country prospered as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.

Geography

Area
total : 30,528 sq km
land: 30,278 sq km
water: 250 sq km

Climate
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Natural resources
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land

People and Society

Population
total: 11,977,634 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.)

Languages
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%

Religions
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 2.3%, other Christian, 2.8%, Muslim 6.8%, other 1.7%, atheist 9.1%, nonbeliever/agnostic 20.2% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
0.53% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Brussels

Executive branch
chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister Bart DE WEVER (since 3 February 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Frédéric BERNARD (since 25 February 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Kathleen LIVELY (since July 2025)

Economy

Economic overview
high-income, core EU and eurozone economy; slow growth with weakened domestic consumption and export demand; high public debt and structural deficits linked to social spending; aging workforce with weak productivity growth and participation rates

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$749.229 billion (2024 est.)
$741.672 billion (2023 est.)
$732.865 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$63,100 (2024 est.)
$62,900 (2023 est.)
$62,700 (2022 est.)

Exports
$525.458 billion (2024 est.)
$542.508 billion (2023 est.)
$565.233 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
France 20%, Netherlands 15%, Germany 14%, Italy 6%, USA 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, vaccines, cars, packaged medicine (2023)

Imports
$531.029 billion (2024 est.)
$546.426 billion (2023 est.)
$573.192 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Netherlands 20%, Germany 13%, France 11%, USA 7%, Ireland 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, natural gas, vaccines, packaged medicine, crude petroleum (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.951, ranking it 10th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 23rd out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.725. (more information)