| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 2.02 | 2.22 | 2.05 | 0.4 | 0.79 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| CPI % | 4.59 | 1.97 | 2.3 | 1.15 | 1.62 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.2 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.58 | 8.51 | 7.75 | 8.2 | 7.27 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Debt/GDP % | 117.39 | 127.13 | 97.45 | 100.05 | 104.11 | 102.2 | 103.9 | 106.3 | 109.2 | 111.5 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | 0.4 | 4.83 | 2.34 | 1.65 | 0.26 | 0.2 | -0.4 | -2.1 | -2.0 | -1.9 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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.
Area: 30,528 sq km km2
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Natural resources: construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land
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.)
Capital: Brussels
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013)
Head of government: Prime Minister Bart DE WEVER (since 3 February 2025)
Description: Federal Parliament (Parlement fédéral - Federaal Parlement - Föderales Parlament) - bicameral
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
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 0.8% (2024 est.), Industry: 17.6% (2024 est.), Services: 72.1% (2024 est.)
Export partners: France 20%, Netherlands 15%, Germany 14%, Italy 6%, USA 5% (2023)
Export commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, vaccines, cars, packaged medicine (2023)
Import partners: Netherlands 20%, Germany 13%, France 11%, USA 7%, Ireland 4% (2023)
Import commodities: cars, natural gas, vaccines, packaged medicine, crude petroleum (2023)
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Military expenditure: 2025: 2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.