Country Profile: Belgium

Belgium, located in Western Europe, boasts a diverse geography characterized by flat coastal plains in the northwest and rugged hills in the southeast. The country has a population of nearly 12 million, primarily concentrated in urban areas. As a high-income economy and a member of the EU and NATO, Belgium faces economic challenges including high public debt and structural deficits. Its governance structure is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, reflecting its linguistic and regional diversity.

Geography

Belgium is situated in Western Europe, bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg, with a coastline along the North Sea. The country's terrain includes flat plains, rolling hills, and the rugged Ardennes mountains, contributing to its rich biodiversity. With an area of approximately 30,528 square kilometers, Belgium is known for its high population density.

30,528 sq km: Total area.
1,297 km: Total land boundaries.
98%: Urbanization rate (2023).
22%: Forested land (2023).
44.4% (2023): Agricultural land use.

People and Society

Belgium's population is estimated at 11,960,170 in 2025, with a majority residing in urban areas. The country is ethnically diverse, primarily consisting of Belgians and significant communities from Italy, Morocco, and Turkey. Major languages include Dutch, French, and German. Socially, Belgium reflects a wide array of religious beliefs, with Roman Catholicism being the most prominent.

82.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
16.9%: Population under 15 years old (2025).
20%: Elderly dependency ratio (2025).
11%: Health expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2021).
3 deaths/1,000 live births: Infant mortality rate (2025).

Economy

Belgium has a high-income economy with real GDP estimated at $749.229 billion for 2024. Growth has been slow due to weakened domestic consumption and high public debt. The economy is largely service-oriented, with industry and agriculture also playing significant roles.

1.3%: GDP growth rate (2024 est.).
5.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
72.1%: Services share of GDP (2024).
$63,100: GDP per capita (2024 est.).
12.3%: Population below poverty line (2022 est.).

Government

Belgium operates as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with King Philippe serving as the head of state since 2013. The capital city, Brussels, is notable for hosting key EU institutions. The government comprises various regional, linguistic, and federal entities with a complexity that reflects the nation’s diversity.

3 regions: Brussels-Capital, Flanders, Wallonia.
150: Seats in the House of Representatives.
47.5%: Percentage of women in the Senate (2024).
Universal suffrage: At 18 years of age.
Dual citizenship: Recognized.

Military and Security

The Belgian Armed Forces, consisting of land, naval, and air components, focus on both domestic security and international missions. The country has been a member of NATO since its inception and continues to maintain a robust military presence in international operations.

2%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2025 est.).
23,000: Active-duty military personnel (2025).
1,000: Average number of personnel deployed on foreign missions (2025).
18 years: Age for voluntary military service.
5.5%: Unemployment rate in the military (2024).

Energy

Belgium's energy system is marked by a high reliance on nuclear power, which constitutes over 40% of its electricity generation. The country maintains a fully electrified population, and energy consumption per capita is notably high.

100%: Electrification rate (2022).
28.248 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
18.626 billion kWh: Electricity imports (2023).
41.2%: Share of nuclear energy in total electricity production (2023).
190.416 million Btu/person: Total energy consumption per capita (2023).

Environment

Belgium faces notable environmental challenges such as urbanization and pollution, resulting from industrial activities. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, aiming to mitigate environmental impacts through cooperative measures.

112.083 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).
31.7%: Rate of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
740.19 million cubic meters: Municipal water withdrawal (2022 est.).
44.4%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.).
18.3 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).

Transportation

Belgium has a well-developed transport network, featuring an extensive railway system and numerous airports. The country is strategically located as a transport hub in Europe, facilitating trade and travel across borders.

3,602 km: Total railway length (2020).
48: Airports (2025).
198: Vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
7: Major ports (2024).
112: Heliports (2025).

Communications

Communications in Belgium are highly advanced, with a significant percentage of the population having access to the internet and mobile services. The country supports a segmented broadcast media market catering to its linguistic diversity.

95%: Internet user rate (2023).
12.2 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
5.12 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
2.49 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024).
104: Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,960,170	Estimate for 2025
Area	30,528 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$749.229 billion	Estimate for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	Estimate for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	190.416 million Btu	Estimate for 2023
Life Expectancy	82.3 years	Estimate for 2024
Total Fertility Rate	1.46 children/woman	Estimate for 2025
Birth Rate	9.09 births/1,000 population	Estimate for 2025
CO2 Emissions	112.083 million metric tonnes	Estimate for 2023
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP	Estimate for 2025