World · permanent entity record · BE

Belgium

Thirty-second orientation

Belgium at a glance

Capital: Brussels; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 11,941,781; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 30,528 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Belgian(s); adjective: Belgian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Belgium through time

1945-12-27
Admitted to the United Nations
Belgium became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	11,941,781World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 11,960,170 (2025 est.) male: 5,907,498 female: 6,052,672CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $725.5 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $60,750; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 87.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 95.8%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: Statbel (Directorate General Statistics - Statistics Belgium), Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Brussels; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 30,528 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 11,941,781; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: euros (EUR); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Belgian(s); adjective: Belgian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1945-12-27; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
Coastline: 66.5 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: black, yellow, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: golden rampant lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Botrange · 2,277 ft (694 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: North Sea · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, longstanding tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: about the size of Maryland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1,297 km border countries (4): France 556 km; Germany 133 km; Luxembourg 130 km; Netherlands 478 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 66.5 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Botrange 694 m lowest point: North Sea 0 m mean elevation: 181 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 28.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.3% (2023 est.) forest: 22% (2023 est.) other: 33.6% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 57 sq km (2013); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Seine (78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in the northern two thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world, with approximately 97% living in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the EU and NATO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society35 fields

Population: total: 11,960,170 (2025 est.) male: 5,907,498 female: 6,052,672; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1% major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een onmisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 1,038,578/female 990,215) 15-64 years: 62.8% (male 3,796,844/female 3,730,784) 65 years and over: 20.2% (2024 est.) (male 1,073,635/female 1,347,578); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 57.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 24.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 32.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.1 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 42.4 years (2025 est.) male: 40.8 years female: 43.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 0.45% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 9.09 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 9.55 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: 4.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in the northern two thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world, with approximately 97% living in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 98.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 2.122 million BRUSSELS (capital), 1.057 million Antwerp (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.2 years (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.3 years (2024 est.) male: 79.7 years female: 85 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.71 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 11% of GDP (2021) 15.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 6.53 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 5.5 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.1% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 9.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 3.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 24.1% (2025 est.) male: 26.4% (2025 est.) female: 22% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 52.4% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0% (2020) women married by age 18: 0.1% (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 6.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 12% national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years (2022 est.) male: 18 years (2022 est.) female: 20 years (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: urbanization; possible risks from industry and intensive farming; air and water pollution; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 28.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.3% (2023 est.) forest: 22% (2023 est.) other: 33.6% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 98.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 112.083 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 8.166 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 76.635 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 27.282 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.766 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 31.7% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 740.19 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 4.14 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 41.97 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 18.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geoparks: total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 (2024) global geoparks and regional networks: Famenne-Ardenne; Schelde Delta (includes Netherlands) (2024); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German) local short form: Belgique/Belgie/Belgien etymology: the name derives from the Belgae, an ancient Celtic tribal confederation that inhabited an area between the English Channel and the west bank of the Rhine in the first centuries B.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 84 N, 4 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: the name is of Germanic origin, from broca (marsh) and sali (room or building); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 3 regions (French: régions, singular - région; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Région Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Région Wallonne (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system based on the French Civil Code; judicial review of legislative acts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state) amendment process: "revisions" proposed as declarations by the federal government in accord with the king or by Parliament followed by dissolution of Parliament and new elections; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of a two-thirds quorum in both houses of the next elected Parliament; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013) head of government: Prime Minister Bart DE WEVER (since 3 February 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the monarch usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister, which the legislature approves; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Federal Parliament (Parlement fédéral - Federaal Parlement - Föderales Parlament) legislative structure: bicameral note: the 1993 constitutional revision that further devolved Belgium into a federal state created three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this results in six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: House of Representatives (Chambre des Représentants) number of seats: 150 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 6/9/2024 parties elected and seats per party: New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) (24); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) (20); Movement for Reform (MR) (20); Socialist Party in Wallonia (PS) (16); Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB*PVDA) (15); LES ENGAGÉS (14); Vooruit (13); Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) (11); Other (17) percentage of women in chamber: 41.3% expected date of next election: June 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate (Sénat - Senaat - Senat) number of seats: 60 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/18/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 47.5% expected date of next election: July 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): 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 or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) and Cour de Cassation (in French) (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges) judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, immigration, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V Vooruit or Forward (formerly Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A) Groen or Green (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) New Flemish Alliance or N-VA Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi Les Engages (formerly Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH) Movement for Reform or MR Socialist Party or PS Workers' Party or PVDA-PTB; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frédéric BERNARD (since 25 February 2025) chancery: 1430 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 338-4960 email address and website: Washington@diplobel.fed.be https://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bill WHITE (since 17 November 2025) embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: 7600 Brussels Place, Washington DC 20521-7600 telephone: [32] (2) 811-4000 FAX: [32] (2) 811-4500 email address and website: uscitizenBrussels@state.gov https://be.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Belgian National Day (ascension to the throne of King LEOPOLD I), 21 July (1831); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal vertical bands of black (left side), yellow, and red history: the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are from the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): golden rampant lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, black, yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "La Brabançonne" (The Song of Brabant) lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET [French] and Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT history: adopted 1830; according to legend Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater where the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 16 (15 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Belfries of Belgium (c); Historic Brugge (c); The Grand Place, Brussels (c); Major Town Houses of Victor Horta (c); Notre-Dame Cathedral, Tournai (c); Spa, Liege (c); Primeval Beech Forests - Sonian Wood (n); Stoclet Palace (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $749.229 billion (2024 est.) $741.672 billion (2023 est.) $732.865 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 1% (2024 est.) 1.2% (2023 est.) 4.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $63,100 (2024 est.) $62,900 (2023 est.) $62,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $664.564 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2024 est.) 4% (2023 est.) 9.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.8% (2024 est.) industry: 17.6% (2024 est.) services: 72.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.4% (2023 est.) government consumption: 23.8% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.4% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 84.2% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -84.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: sugar beets, milk, potatoes, wheat, pork, lettuce, maize, chicken, barley, pears (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 5.416 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2024 est.) 5.6% (2023 est.) 5.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 16.8% (2024 est.) male: 18.6% (2024 est.) female: 14.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 12.3% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 26.4 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 12.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 4% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 22.2% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 2.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $220.657 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $235.767 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 92.5% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 22.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$5.679 billion (2024 est.) -$4.503 billion (2023 est.) -$7.031 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $525.458 billion (2024 est.) $542.508 billion (2023 est.) $565.233 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: France 20%, Netherlands 15%, Germany 14%, Italy 6%, USA 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, vaccines, cars, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $531.029 billion (2024 est.) $546.426 billion (2023 est.) $573.192 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Netherlands 20%, Germany 13%, France 11%, USA 7%, Ireland 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: cars, natural gas, vaccines, packaged medicine, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $41.449 billion (2024 est.) $40.813 billion (2023 est.) $41.274 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.924 (2024 est.) 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy8 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 28.248 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 74.537 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 18.279 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 18.626 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.147 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 24.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 40.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 9.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 20% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: -0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) note: Belgium has negative net hydroelectric power generation based on losses from use of pumped storage hydropower biomass and waste: 6.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nuclear energy: Number of operational nuclear reactors: 4 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 3.46GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 41.2% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: production: 1.269 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 4.372 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 184,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 4.046 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 4.1 billion metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 596,000 bbl/day (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 12.938 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 14.382 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 8.461 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 23.007 billion cubic meters (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 190.416 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2.49 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 12.2 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 104 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: a segmented market with the three major linguistic communities (Flemish-, French-, and German-speaking) each responsible for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; over 90% of households are connected to cable and can access TV broadcasts from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network coexisting with private broadcasters; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .be; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 95% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5.12 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 48 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 112 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 3,602 km (2020) 3,160 km electrified; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 198 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 17, container ship 2, general cargo 16, oil tanker 21, other 142; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 7 (2024) large: 1 medium: 2 small: 2 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Antwerpen, Bruxelles, Ghent, Oostende, Zeebrugge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Belgian Armed Forces (Defensie or La Défense): Land Component, Marine (Naval) Component, Air Component, Medical Component, Cyber Command (2025) note: the Belgian Federal Police is the national police force and responsible for internal security and nationwide law and order, including migration and border enforcement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 23,000 active-duty military personnel (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the armed forces have a mix of weapons systems from European suppliers and the US; Belgium has an export-focused defense industry that focuses on components and subcontracting (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; maximum age varies by position; conscription abolished in 1995 (2025) note 1: in 2024, women comprised about 11% of the military's full-time personnel note 2: foreign nationals 18-34 years of age who speak Dutch or French and are citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland may apply to join the military; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military deployments: has on average about 1,000 personnel deployed on foreign missions, including more than 300 ground forces deployed in Eastern Europe for the defense of NATO's eastern flank (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Belgian military's responsibilities include territorial defense, humanitarian/disaster relief, assistance to the police if required, international peacekeeping missions, and support to its NATO and EU security commitments, which Belgium considers vital components of its national security policy; outside of the country, the military operates almost always within an international organization or a coalition; Belgium was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) establishing NATO in 1949; it hosts the NATO headquarters in Brussels; Belgium also cooperates bilaterally with neighboring countries, such as Luxembourg and the Netherlands, in conducting joint patrols of their respective air spaces and in a composite combined special operations command with Denmark and the Netherlands (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy-Interfederal Space Agency of Belgium (BIRA-IASB; established 1964; IASB added 2017); Belgium Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: builds satellites, particularly research/science/technology and remote sensing platforms; researches, develops, and produces a wide variety of space technologies, including telecommunications, optics, robotics, scientific instruments, and space launch vehicle components; founding member of the ESA and participates in a variety of ESA and EU projects, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking, Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; hosts the European Space Security and Education Center (established 1968); participates in international astronomy efforts, particularly through the European Southern Observatory (ESO); has worked with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities outside Europe, including those of Argentina, China, India, Russia, South Africa, UAE, Vietnam, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 1986 - joined first European Earth Observation program; founding member of European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites 1992 - first Belgian astronaut in space on the US Space Shuttle 2001 - first remote sensing satellite (PROBA-1) launched by India 2024 - signed US-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 236,689 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 849 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Illicit drugs: USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Belgium at a glance

Belgium through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile