2014 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. Political divisions 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. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.

Area

30,528 sq km 30,278 sq km 250 sq km

total

30,528 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

North Sea 0 m Botrange 694 m

highest point

Botrange 694 m

lowest point

North Sea 0 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

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

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 none of the selected 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)

6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%) 589.8 cu m/yr (2007)

per capita

589.8 cu m/yr (2007)

total

6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%)

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

233.5 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

1,297 km France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km

border countries

France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km

total

1,297 km

Land use

27.06% 0.72% 72.22% includes Luxembourg (2011)

arable land

27.06%

other

72.22%

permanent crops

0.72%

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm geographic coordinates define outer limit median line with neighbors

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

median line with neighbors

exclusive economic zone

geographic coordinates define outer limit

territorial sea

12 nm

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

18.3 cu km (2011)

Age structure

15.6% (male 830,980/female 797,624) 11.7% (male 624,486/female 598,904) 40.4% (male 2,131,869/female 2,086,212) 13.3% (male 690,395/female 704,284) 19% (male 836,685/female 1,147,922) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

15.6% (male 830,980/female 797,624)

15-24 years

11.7% (male 624,486/female 598,904)

25-54 years

40.4% (male 2,131,869/female 2,086,212)

55-64 years

13.3% (male 690,395/female 704,284)

65 years and over

19% (male 836,685/female 1,147,922) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

9.99 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

70.4% percent of women aged 18-49 (2010)

Death rate

10.76 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

54.8 % 26.4 % 28.4 % 3.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

28.4 %

potential support ratio

3.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

54.8 %

youth dependency ratio

26.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

10.6% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

14,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

4.18 deaths/1,000 live births 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

3.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

4.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

79.92 years 76.76 years 83.22 years (2014 est.)

female

83.22 years (2014 est.)

total population

79.92 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major urban areas - population

BRUSSELS (capital) 1.949 million; Antwerp 959,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

43.1 years 41.7 years 44.4 years (2014 est.)

female

44.4 years (2014 est.)

male

41.7 years

total

43.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Belgian(s) Belgian

adjective

Belgian

noun

Belgian(s)

Net migration rate

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.1% (2008)

Physicians density

3.78 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

10,449,361 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.05% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 17 years (2011)

female

17 years (2011)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.65 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

19.8% 20.4% 19.8% (2012)

female

19.8% (2012)

total

19.8%

Urbanization

97.5% of total population (2011) 0.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

97.5% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) 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

3 regions (French

regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)

Capital

Brussels 50 50 N, 4 20 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

50 50 N, 4 20 E

name

Brussels

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state); amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)

Country name

Kingdom of Belgium Belgium Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German) Belgique/Belgie/Belgien

conventional long form

Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form

Belgium

local long form

Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German)

local short form

Belgique/Belgie/Belgien

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Denise BAUER (since 7 August 2013) 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 [32] (2) 811-4000 [32] (2) 811-4500

chief of mission

Ambassador Denise BAUER (since 7 August 2013)

embassy

27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels

FAX

[32] (2) 811-4500

mailing address

PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone

[32] (2) 811-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014) 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6900 [1] (202) 338-4960 Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 338-4960

telephone

[1] (202) 333-6900

Executive branch

King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008); Depurty Prime Minister Johan VANDE LANOTTE (since i6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Pieter DE CREM (since 5 March 2013) Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by parliament

cabinet

Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of 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 usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008); Depurty Prime Minister Johan VANDE LANOTTE (since i6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Pieter DE CREM (since 5 March 2013)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)

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 law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof in Dutch and Cour constitutionelle in French (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie in Dutch and Cour de Cassation in French (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges) Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace

highest court(s)

Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof in Dutch and Cour constitutionelle in French (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie in Dutch and Cour de Cassation in French (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace

Legal system

civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats indirectly elected serve five-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 May 2014 (next to be held May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 20.3%, PS 11.7%, CD&V 11.6%, Open VLD 9.8%, MR 9.6%, SP.A 8.8%, Groen! 5.3%, CDH 5.0% Workers' Party 3.7%, VB 3.7%, Ecolo 3.3%, FDF 1.8%, the People's Party 1.5%, other 7.2%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, MR 20, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, FDF 2, the People's Party 1 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

election results

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 20.3%, PS 11.7%, CD&V 11.6%, Open VLD 9.8%, MR 9.6%, SP.A 8.8%, Groen! 5.3%, CDH 5.0% Workers' Party 3.7%, VB 3.7%, Ecolo 3.3%, FDF 1.8%, the People's Party 1.5%, other 7.2%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, MR 20, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, FDF 2, the People's Party 1

elections

Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 May 2014 (next to be held May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections

National anthem

"La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT adopted 1830; Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began; according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

lyrics/music

Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT

name

"La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Wouter BEKE] Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Gwendolyn RUTTEN] Groen! [Wouter VAN BESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) Libertarian, Direct, Democratic or LDD (formerly Dedecker's List) [Jean-Marie DEDECKER] New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER] People's Party [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Bruno TOBBACK] Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Gerolf ANNEMANS] Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Olivier DELEUZE, Emily HOYOS] Francophone Federalist Democrats [Olivier MAINGAIN] Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN] Reform Movement or MR [Charles MICHEL] Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO] Workers' Party [Peter Mertens] other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Enterprises in Belgium [Pieter TIMMERMANS/Pierre Alain DE SMEDT]; Confederation of Christan Trade Unions [Luc CORTEBEECK/Claude ROLIN]; Belgian General Federation of Labor [Rudy DE LEEUW/Anne DEMELENNE] trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations representing the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

other

trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations representing 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

$241.9 billion $258.2 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$258.2 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$241.9 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.75% (31 December 2013) 1.5% (31 December 2010) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 3.62% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$9.1 billion (2013 est.) -$6.65 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.417 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28 (2005) 28.7 (1996)

Economy - overview

This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2013 Belgian GDP grew by 0.1%, the unemployment rate increased to 8.8% from 7.6% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 3.2%. Despite the relative improvement in Belgium's budget deficit, public debt hovers around 100% of GDP, a factor that has contributed to investor perceptions that the country is increasingly vulnerable to spillover from the euro-zone crisis. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis in 2008 with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government, and the nationalization of the Belgian retail arm of a Franco-Belgian bank.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.) 0.755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$295.3 billion (2013 est.) $302.4 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 18%, France 16.1%, Netherlands 13%, UK 7.3%, US 5.3%, Italy 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

53.7% 25% 20.2% 0.8% 81.8% -81.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

81.8%

government consumption

25%

household consumption

53.7%

imports of goods and services

-81.5%

investment in fixed capital

20.2%

investment in inventories

0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.8% 22.6% 76.6% (2013 est.)

agriculture

0.8%

industry

22.6%

services

76.6% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,800 (2013 est.) $38,000 (2012 est.) $38,400 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2013 est.) -0.3% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$507.4 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$421.7 billion (2013 est.) $421.3 billion (2012 est.) $422.5 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

19.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.4% 28.4% (2006)

highest 10%

28.4% (2006)

lowest 10%

3.4%

Imports

$310.2 billion (2013 est.) $311.1 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Netherlands 20.9%, Germany 14.2%, France 10.6%, US 6.1%, UK 5.5%, Ireland 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2013 est.) 2.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

5.15 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2% 25% 73% (2007 est.)

agriculture

2%

industry

25%

services

73% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2012 est.) $NA (31 December 2011) $269.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

15.2% (2007 est.)

Public debt

102.4% of GDP (2013 est.) 99.6% of GDP (2012 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as i

federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$30.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $29.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$591.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $585 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.215 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.185 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.195 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.159 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$581.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $574.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$185.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $185.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

47.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.8% (2013 est.) 7.6% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

131.1 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

667,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

10,530 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

84.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

6.911 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

43.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

32.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

16.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

16.85 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

18.32 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

83.37 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

13.46 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

21.18 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

38.9 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

644,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

442,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

355,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

720,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

a segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters (2007)

Internet country code

.be

Internet hosts

5.192 million (2012)

Internet users

8.113 million (2009)

Telephone system

highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network 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)

domestic

nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network

general assessment

highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities

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

4.631 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

12.88 million (2012)

Airports

41 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

1

over 3,047 m

6

total

26

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

15 (2013)

total

15

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7 15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1) 107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1)

registered in other countries

107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

total

87

Pipelines

gas 3,139 km; oil 154 km; refined products 535 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Oostende, Zeebrugge Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River); Brussels (Senne River); Liege (Meuse River) Antwerp (8,664,243), Zeebrugge (2,207,257) (2011) Zeebrugge

container port(s) (TEUs)

Antwerp (8,664,243), Zeebrugge (2,207,257) (2011)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Zeebrugge

major seaport(s)

Oostende, Zeebrugge

river port(s)

Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River); Brussels (Senne River); Liege (Meuse River)

Railways

3,233 km 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)

total

3,233 km

Roadways

154,012 km 120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways) 33,498 km (2010)

total

154,012 km

unpaved

33,498 km (2010)

Waterways

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

2,359,232 2,291,689 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,291,689 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,359,232

Manpower fit for military service

1,934,957 1,877,268 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,877,268 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,934,957

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

59,665 57,142 (2010 est.)

female

57,142 (2010 est.)

male

59,665

Military branches

Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)

Belgian Armed Forces

Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)

Military expenditures

1.05% of GDP (2012) 1.08% of GDP (2011) 1.05% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

3,898 (2012)

stateless persons

3,898 (2012)