2008 Edition

Background

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Area

total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km

Area - comparative

about the size of Maryland

Climate

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Coastline

66.5 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Environment - current issues

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%) per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)

Geographic coordinates

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Geography - note

crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

Irrigated land

400 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Land use

arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005)

Location

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Natural hazards

flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Natural resources

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Terrain

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Total renewable water resources

20.8 cu km (2005)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.3% (male 864,287/female 828,435) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,476,802/female 3,416,383) 65 years and over: 17.5% (male 751,745/female 1,066,299) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

10.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

6% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.07 years male: 75.9 years female: 82.38 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 41.4 years male: 40.2 years female: 42.7 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

10,403,951 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

0.106% (2008 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions;

Capital

name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 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

Constitution

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Sam FOX embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dominique STRUYE DE SWIELANDE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900

Dutch

gewesten); Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region; Flanders* region (five provinces): Antwerpen (Antwerp), Limburg, Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders), Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant), West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders); Wallonia* region (five provinces): Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant), Hainaut, Liege, Luxembourg, Namur 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

Executive branch

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Yves LETERME (20 March 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament

FAX

[1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York consulate(s): Atlanta

[32] (2) 511-2725

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red note: the design was based on the flag of France

Flemish parties

Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; VlaamsProgressieven (Flemish Progressives) or VP [Bettina GEYSEN] - formerly Spirit; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS]

Francophone parties

Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Independence

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

International organization participation

ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Legal system

based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 9, Open VLD 5, MR 6, VB 5, PS 4, SP.A-Spririt 4, CDH 2, Ecolo 2, Groen! 1, Dedecker List 1, FN 1 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 30, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A-Spirit 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1 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; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly

National holiday

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk

Budget

revenues: $220.1 billion expenditures: $221 billion (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.98% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

euro (EUR)

Currency code

EUR

Current account balance

$3.282 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$1.313 trillion (30 June 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28 (2005)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $1.978 billion (2006)

Economy - overview

This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is more than 85% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-07. Economic growth and foreign direct investment are expected to slow down in 2008, due to credit tightening, falling consumer and business confidence, and above average inflation. However, with the successful negotiation of the 2008 budget and devolution of power within the government, political tensions seem to be easing and could lead to an improvement in the economic outlook for 2008.

Electricity - consumption

85.54 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

9.035 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

15.78 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

82.94 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 59.3% other: 1.8% (2001)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)

Exports

$322.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 19.5%, France 16.7%, Netherlands 11.9%, UK 7.6%, US 5.7%, Italy 5.2% (2007)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.1% industry: 24.5% services: 74.4% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$36,200 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.8% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$453.6 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$376.5 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Imports

$323.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Imports - partners

Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 17.6%, France 11.2%, UK 6.2%, US 5.4%, Ireland 4.9%, China 4.1% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2007 est.)

Industries

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.8% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.3% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

4.94 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 2% industry: 25% services: 73% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$422.7 billion (2006)

Natural gas - consumption

17.39 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

17.34 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006)

Oil - consumption

628,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports

528,700 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

1.119 million bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

8,671 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

15.2% (2007 est.)

Public debt

84.6% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.51 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$540.1 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$678.2 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$767.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

NA note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 15 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money

NA

Unemployment rate

7.5% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.be

Internet hosts

3.841 million (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

61 (2000)

Internet users

5.22 million (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.075 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.668 million (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.23 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

4.72 million (1997)

Airports

43 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 15 (2007)

Heliports

1 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 79 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2) registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1, Portugal 7, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 1,562 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge

Railways

total: 3,536 km standard gauge: 3,536 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2006)

Roadways

total: 152,256 km paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)

Waterways

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2006)

Belgian Armed Forces

Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,407,128 females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,973,167 females age 16-49: 1,915,990 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 64,659 female: 61,881 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008