Factbook dossier
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.
Location
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Area
total : 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km
Natural resources
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land
Natural hazards
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Population
total: 11,960,170 (2025 est.) male: 5,907,498 female: 6,052,672
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% 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.
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.)
Environmental issues
urbanization; possible risks from industry and intensive farming; air and water pollution
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
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)
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
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
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
Real GDP per capita
$63,100 (2024 est.) $62,900 (2023 est.) $62,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.1% (2024 est.) 4% (2023 est.) 9.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
France 20%, Netherlands 15%, Germany 14%, Italy 6%, USA 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Netherlands 20%, Germany 13%, France 11%, USA 7%, Ireland 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Belgian Armed Forces (Defensie or La D fense): 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
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.)