🇧🇪 Belgium
Population: 11,941,781 in 2025 for Belgium (Europe), position 80 out of 213 worldwide. GDP per capita – Belgium: $60,750 /inh. (2025), ranking 21 out of 211. Economic growth is 1 % (2025). The unemployment rate is 5.9 % (2025). Annual inflation stands at 2.5 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Belgium, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Births registered with civil authorities (1/178), Free and fair elections index (1/173), Share of adults with the right to vote (1/173).
Weaknesses – Belgium, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) (200/203), Foreign direct investment inflows (198/201), Female suicide rate (171/183).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Belgium has $60,750 /inh., above the regional median (Europe: $38,002 /inh.).
- Unemployment: Belgium has 5.9 %, close to the regional median (Europe: 5.6 %).
- Inflation (consumer prices): Belgium has 2.5 %, below the regional median (Europe: 3.5 %).
- GDP growth: Belgium has 1 %, below the regional median (Europe: 1.7 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇫🇷France245 indicators compared62/100
- 2🇳🇱Netherlands244 indicators compared62/100
- 3🇩🇪Germany245 indicators compared60/100
- 4🇫🇮Finland243 indicators compared60/100
- 5🇱🇺Luxembourg242 indicators compared60/100
- 6🇩🇰Denmark244 indicators compared59/100
- 7🇦🇹Austria242 indicators compared59/100
- 8🇳🇴Norway243 indicators compared58/100
- 9🇨🇭Switzerland244 indicators compared57/100
- 10🇪🇪Estonia246 indicators compared55/100
- 11🇪🇸Spain245 indicators compared55/100
- 12🇵🇹Portugal245 indicators compared54/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net national income per capita | $41,743 /inh. | 2021 | 18 of 184 |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 /inh. | 2025 | 21 of 211 |
| GDP | $725.5B | 2025 | 22 of 211 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $59,500 /inh. | 2025 | 22 of 205 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $74,676 /inh. | 2025 | 24 of 201 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $891.8B | 2025 | 37 of 201 |
| Natural resource rents | 0 % | 2021 | 166 of 211 |
| GDP per capita growth | 0.3 % | 2025 | 171 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 1 % | 2025 | 175 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 2.6 % | 2025 | 76 of 210 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 2.5 % | 2025 | 83 of 191 |
| Official exchange rate | 0.89 LCU/$ | 2025 | 180 of 211 |
Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment in services | 79.8 % | 2025 | 19 of 184 |
| Employment in industry | 19.2 % | 2025 | 89 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 5.9 % | 2025 | 107 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 17.8 % | 2025 | 123 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 51.1 % | 2025 | 134 of 184 |
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 54.3 % | 2025 | 142 of 184 |
| Self-employed workers | 14.6 % | 2025 | 142 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 1 % | 2025 | 175 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merchandise exports | $568.1B | 2025 | 12 of 205 |
| Services exports | $158.4B | 2025 | 17 of 198 |
| Trade openness | 152.9 % | 2025 | 22 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 75.5 % | 2025 | 23 of 192 |
| Imports of goods and services | 77.5 % | 2025 | 27 of 192 |
| High-technology exports | 19.8 % | 2024 | 35 of 185 |
| Current account balance | -0.2 % | 2025 | 82 of 198 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 5
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| International tourism receipts | $7.4B | 2020 | 30 of 201 |
| International tourist arrivals | 2,584,000 arr. | 2020 | 57 of 202 |
| Migrant remittances received | 2.3 % | 2025 | 99 of 196 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | -4 % | 2025 | 198 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | -$28.8B | 2025 | 200 of 203 |
Public finances 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research and development spending | 3.3 % | 2023 | 7 of 155 |
| Central government spending | 39.7 % | 2022 | 20 of 160 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 35.9 % | 2024 | 23 of 159 |
| Government final consumption | 24 % | 2025 | 28 of 187 |
| Tax revenue | 23 % | 2024 | 30 of 161 |
| Military spending | 2 % | 2025 | 72 of 165 |
| Budget balance | -2.7 % | 2024 | 85 of 158 |
Finance & Reserves 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock market capitalization | 59.2 % | 2018 | 34 of 101 |
| Domestic credit to the private sector | 68.1 % | 2024 | 46 of 184 |
| Total reserves (including gold) | $56.4B | 2025 | 46 of 180 |
| Reserves in months of imports | 1 months | 2025 | 160 of 177 |
Economic structure 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Services | 71.2 % | 2025 | 31 of 202 |
| Gross capital formation | 25.7 % | 2025 | 69 of 185 |
| Gross savings | 24 % | 2025 | 72 of 178 |
| Manufacturing | 11.2 % | 2025 | 88 of 201 |
| Industry (including construction) | 18.6 % | 2025 | 137 of 205 |
| Household final consumption | 52.3 % | 2025 | 140 of 189 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 0.7 % | 2025 | 181 of 203 |
Population & Vital Statistics 13
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Births registered with civil authorities | 100 % | 2022 | 1 of 178 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 21 % | 2025 | 28 of 213 |
| Urban population | 87.7 % | 2025 | 41 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 41.4 yrs | 2023 | 43 of 226 |
| Adults with an official ID | 97 % | 2024 | 56 of 145 |
| Share of women in the population | 50.7 % | 2025 | 78 of 213 |
| Population | 11,941,781 inhab. | 2025 | 80 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 57.9 per 100 | 2025 | 87 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 104.9 per 100 girls | 2024 | 118 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 63.3 % | 2025 | 127 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 97.4 per 100 women | 2025 | 136 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 49.3 % | 2025 | 136 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 15.7 % | 2025 | 167 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy life expectancy | 69.9 yrs | 2023 | 17 of 183 |
| Under-5 mortality | 3.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 26 of 194 |
| Infant mortality | 3.1 per 1,000 | 2024 | 26 of 194 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | 30 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 84.4 yrs | 2024 | 30 of 213 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 80.3 yrs | 2024 | 30 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 5.8 per 100,000 | 2019 | 34 of 188 |
| Death rate | 9.5 per 1,000 | 2024 | 49 of 213 |
| Population growth | 0.7 % | 2025 | 118 of 213 |
| Male suicide rate | 21.3 per 100,000 | 2023 | 120 of 183 |
| Suicide rate | 15.1 per 100,000 | 2023 | 135 of 183 |
| Children per woman | 1.44 children/woman | 2024 | 163 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 9.2 per 1,000 | 2024 | 166 of 213 |
| Female suicide rate | 9.4 per 100,000 | 2023 | 171 of 183 |
Health and healthcare system 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to basic drinking water | 100 % | 2024 | 1 of 211 |
| Open defecation | 0 % | 2024 | 1 of 211 |
| Undernourishment | 2.5 % | 2024 | 1 of 167 |
| Nurses and midwives | 12.89 per 1,000 | 2021 | 11 of 196 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 3 per 100,000 | 2024 | 15 of 206 |
| Health expenditure | 10.8 % | 2023 | 18 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 5.4 per 1,000 | 2023 | 25 of 190 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 99.5 % | 2024 | 36 of 211 |
| Physicians | 3.57 per 1,000 | 2022 | 44 of 193 |
| HIV prevalence | 0.2 % | 2024 | 46 of 152 |
| Measles vaccination | 96 % | 2024 | 46 of 191 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 21.5 % | 2023 | 72 of 191 |
Body and lifestyle 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average height of men | 181.7 cm | 2014 | 2 of 198 |
| Average height of women | 165.5 cm | 2014 | 20 of 198 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 9.5 L/person | 2024 | 41 of 202 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 5.9 % | 2024 | 45 of 207 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 26.6 kg/m² | 2016 | 66 of 190 |
| Obesity among adult women | 22 % | 2024 | 80 of 196 |
| Tobacco use among men | 26.4 % | 2024 | 82 of 165 |
| Adult obesity | 20.8 % | 2024 | 83 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult men | 19.7 % | 2024 | 100 of 196 |
| Tobacco use | 23.5 % | 2024 | 109 of 165 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 25.6 kg/m² | 2016 | 114 of 190 |
| Tobacco use among women | 20.6 % | 2024 | 136 of 165 |
Origins, languages and religions 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of the population: Jews | 0.3 % | 2020 | 13 of 192 |
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 39 % | 2020 | 17 of 192 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 20 % | 2024 | 43 of 212 |
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 2.6 % | 2020 | 43 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0.2 % | 2020 | 46 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 0.2 % | 2020 | 62 of 192 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.54 | 2003 | 68 of 203 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.56 | 2003 | 70 of 205 |
| Share of the population: Muslims | 6.8 % | 2020 | 79 of 192 |
| Regular attendance at places of worship | 18.9 % | 2010 | 84 of 112 |
| Importance of religion in life | 40.7 % | 2010 | 89 of 114 |
| Share of the population: Christians | 51 % | 2020 | 114 of 192 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.21 | 2003 | 160 of 204 |
| Majority religion | Christians (over 50%) | 2020 | 114 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Inequality 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini index | 26.8 | 2023 | 13 of 169 |
| Extreme poverty | 0.1 % | 2023 | 17 of 169 |
| Income share of the poorest 20% | 9.1 % | 2023 | 21 of 169 |
| Income share of the richest 10% | 22.2 % | 2023 | 156 of 169 |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude of the country's center | 50.6 ° | 2026 | 20 of 232 |
| Population density | 388.9 inh./km² | 2024 | 26 of 212 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 4 countries | 2026 | 56 of 223 |
| Length of land borders | 1,297 km | 2026 | 111 of 230 |
| Land area | 30,494 km² | 2024 | 135 of 212 |
| Total area | 30,689 km² | 2024 | 136 of 212 |
| Length of coastline | 67 km | 2026 | 165 of 227 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Average annual rainfall | 847 mm | 2022 | 102 of 180 |
| Renewable fresh water per person | 1,027 m³/inh. | 2022 | 124 of 181 |
| Average elevation | 181 m | 2026 | 133 of 166 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 5.5 % | 2015 | 141 of 212 |
| Highest point | 694 m | 2026 | 178 of 229 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arable land | 28.3 % | 2024 | 33 of 204 |
| Agricultural land | 44.4 % | 2024 | 80 of 207 |
| Protected land areas | 16.4 % | 2025 | 111 of 210 |
| Forest cover | 22 % | 2024 | 128 of 210 |
Democracy & Elections 13
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free and fair elections index | 0.97 | 2025 | 1 of 173 |
| Share of adults with the right to vote | 100 % | 2025 | 1 of 173 |
| Egalitarian democracy index | 0.82 | 2025 | 3 of 173 |
| Electoral democracy index | 0.89 | 2025 | 3 of 173 |
| Participatory democracy index | 0.63 | 2025 | 8 of 173 |
| Civil society participation index | 0.95 | 2025 | 9 of 173 |
| Liberal democracy index | 0.79 | 2025 | 10 of 173 |
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
| Core civil society index | 0.91 | 2025 | 30 of 173 |
| Head of the executive chosen through multiparty elections | Executive from multiparty elections | 2025 | 141 countries out of 173 in the same category |
| Multiparty legislative elections | Multiparty legislative elections | 2025 | 158 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Multiparty national elections | Multiparty elections | 2025 | 148 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Political regime | Liberal democracy | 2025 | 31 countries out of 173 in the same category |
Civil Liberties & Human Rights 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equality of civil liberties across social groups | 2.86 | 2025 | 3 of 173 |
| Academic freedom index | 0.95 | 2025 | 3 of 173 |
| Freedom of expression index | 0.97 | 2025 | 3 of 173 |
| Human rights index (V-Dem) | 0.96 | 2025 | 5 of 173 |
| Political civil liberties index | 0.96 | 2025 | 5 of 173 |
| Private civil liberties index | 0.94 | 2025 | 9 of 173 |
| Protection from physical violence by the state (V-Dem) | 0.98 | 2025 | 9 of 174 |
| Index of individual liberties and equality before the law | 0.97 | 2025 | 10 of 173 |
| Freedom of association index | 0.9 | 2025 | 14 of 173 |
Governance & Rule of Law 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | 1.43 | 2025 | 12 of 203 |
| Political corruption index | 0.03 | 2025 | 14 of 173 |
| Rule of law index (V-Dem) | 0.96 | 2025 | 18 of 173 |
| Absence of corruption in the judiciary | 2.05 | 2025 | 20 of 173 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | 69 pts | 2024 | 22 of 179 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | 1.21 | 2025 | 22 of 203 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | 1.36 | 2025 | 23 of 205 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | 1.32 | 2025 | 26 of 203 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | 1.27 | 2025 | 27 of 205 |
| Judicial constraints on the executive index | 0.83 | 2025 | 50 of 173 |
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | 0.17 | 2025 | 102 of 205 |
Women's rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of women in parliament | 41.3 % | 2025 | 24 of 192 |
| Women subjected to partner violence (past 12 months) | 8 % | 2012 | 34 of 106 |
| Share of women among ministers | 28.6 % | 2025 | 56 of 192 |
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,949 | 2025 | 123 of 189 |
| Paid maternity leave | 98 days or more of paid leave | 2025 | 121 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | 14 days or more of paid leave | 2025 | 60 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Equal rights for sons and daughters | 2025 | 146 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Written into law | 2025 | 98 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Equal rights for men and women | 2025 | 165 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | Discrimination prohibited by law | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | One to three areas covered | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | Comprehensive law | 2025 | 93 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | Lower quota (under 40% or at least one woman) | 2025 | 25 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 87.5 /100 | 2025 | 3 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 91.1 /100 | 2025 | 10 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 91.8 /100 | 2025 | 43 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 31.3 /100 | 2025 | 84 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | 15.9 pts | 2025 | 15 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Allowed | 2025 | 38 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Same as for different-sex couples | 2025 | 120 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Possible by simple declaration | 2025 | 22 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Sexual orientation and gender identity covered | 2025 | 46 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Prohibited | 2025 | 52 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Banned by national law | 2025 | 22 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | Legal marriage | 2025 | 38 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | Sexual orientation and gender identity protected | 2025 | 52 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | Sexual orientation and gender identity protected | 2025 | 44 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Covered for adults and minors | 2025 | 17 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.1 per 100,000 | 2021 | 47 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Licence granted as of right if conditions are met | 2026 | 26 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | State party | 2026 | 117 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Abolished for all crimes | 2026 | 112 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Decriminalized | 2026 | 26 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmet need for contraception | 3.4 % | 1992 | 3 of 150 |
| Abortion on request: maximum legal time limit | 14 wks | 2026 | 12 of 61 |
| Maternal mortality | 4 per 100,000 | 2023 | 14 of 192 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 3.5 per 1,000 | 2024 | 23 of 213 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 65.4 % | 2018 | 30 of 181 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 99.3 % | 1999 | 77 of 204 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed on request (within a time limit set by law) | 2026 | 67 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 100 % | 2022 | 1 of 210 |
| Employees covered by a collective agreement | 96 % | 2019 | 4 of 99 |
| Statutory monthly minimum wage in purchasing power parity | $2,737 | 2025 | 7 of 168 |
| Trade union membership rate | 49.1 % | 2019 | 8 of 137 |
| Legal monthly minimum wage | $2,387 | 2025 | 10 of 168 |
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 0.5 /10 | 2024 | 36 of 186 |
Family & Nationality 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women married before age 18 | 0.1 % | 2020 | 4 of 144 |
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 5 yrs | 2026 | 66 of 152 |
| Dual nationality | Dual nationality recognised | 2026 | 78 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Civic duties 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 13 yrs | 2025 | 17 of 194 |
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Compulsory military service | No compulsory military service | 2025 | 64 countries out of 134 in the same category |
| Compulsory voting | Voting compulsory by law | 2026 | 27 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Belgium?
Belgium has about 11,941,781 inhabitants (2025), ranking 80 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Belgium?
GDP per capita is $60,750 /inh. (2025): Belgium ranks 21 out of 211 countries.
What is the inflation rate in Belgium?
Annual inflation is 2.5 % (2025); Belgium ranks 83 out of 191 (ranked from lowest to highest).
What is the unemployment rate in Belgium?
The unemployment rate is 5.9 % (2025); Belgium ranks 107 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Belgium stand in its region (Europe)?
GDP per capita: Belgium has $60,750 /inh., above the regional median (Europe: $38,002 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Belgium come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.