2017 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 Flemish 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

land

30,278 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

181 m lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Botrange 694 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: North Sea 0 m

highest point

Botrange 694 m

mean elevation

181 m

Environment - current issues

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

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

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

Geographic coordinates

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

230 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

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

border countries (4)

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

total

1,297 km

Land use

44.1% arable land 27.2%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 16.1% 22.4% 33.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

44.1%

forest

22.4%

other

33.5% (2011 est.)

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, arable land

Population - distribution

most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas

Terrain

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

Age structure

17.16% (male 1,010,201/female 961,994) 11.34% (male 665,483/female 637,700) 40.05% (male 2,320,845/female 2,281,411) 12.86% (male 732,062/female 746,212) 18.58% (male 929,594/female 1,205,844) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

17.16% (male 1,010,201/female 961,994)

15-24 years

11.34% (male 665,483/female 637,700)

25-54 years

40.05% (male 2,320,845/female 2,281,411)

55-64 years

12.86% (male 732,062/female 746,212)

65 years and over

18.58% (male 929,594/female 1,205,844) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

11.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

66.8% percent of women aged 15-54 (2013)

note

percent of women aged 15-54 (2013)

Death rate

9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

54.2 26.2 3.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

28

potential support ratio

3.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

54.2

youth dependency ratio

26.2

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 (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Belgian 75%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 12.8% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

10.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

3.4 deaths/1,000 live births 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

81.1 years 78.5 years 83.8 years (2017 est.)

female

83.8 years (2017 est.)

male

78.5 years

total population

81.1 years

Major urban areas - population

BRUSSELS (capital) 2.045 million; Antwerp 994,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

41.4 years 40.2 years 42.7 years (2017 est.)

female

42.7 years (2017 est.)

male

40.2 years

total

41.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.6 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

Belgian(s) Belgian

adjective

Belgian

noun

Belgian(s)

Net migration rate

5.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.1% (2016)

Physicians density

2.97 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

11,491,346 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas

Population growth rate

0.7% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant and other Christian 2.5%, Muslim 5%, Jewish 0.4%, Buddhist 0.3%, atheist 9.2%, none 32.6% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.6% of population

total

0.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

20 years 19 years 21 years (2014)

female

21 years (2014)

male

19 years

total

20 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

22.1% 23.8% 20% (2015 est.)

female

20% (2015 est.)

male

23.8%

total

22.1%

Urbanization

97.9% of total population (2017) 0.36% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.36% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

97.9% of total population (2017)

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; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities

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)

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; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state) "revisions" proposed as declarations by the federal government in accord with the king or by Parliament followed by dissolution of Parliament and new elections; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of a two-thirds quorum in both houses of the next elected Parliament; amended many times, last in 2014 (2016)

amendments

"revisions" proposed as declarations by the federal government in accord with the king or by Parliament followed by dissolution of Parliament and new elections; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of a two-thirds quorum in both houses of the next elected Parliament; amended many times, last in 2014 (2016)

history

drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state)

Country name

Kingdom of Belgium Belgium Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German) Belgique/Belgie/Belgien the name derives from the Belgae, an ancient Celtic tribal confederation that inhabited an area between the English Channel and the west bank of the Rhine in the first centuries B.C.

conventional long form

Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form

Belgium

etymology

the name derives from the Belgae, an ancient Celtic tribal confederation that inhabited an area between the English Channel and the west bank of the Rhine in the first centuries B.C.

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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew LUSSENHOP (since 20 January 2017) 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew LUSSENHOP (since 20 January 2017)

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 Dirk Jozef M. WOUTERS (since 16 September 2016) 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 333-6900 [1] (202) 333-3079 Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Dirk Jozef M. WOUTERS (since 16 September 2016)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 333-3079

telephone

[1] (202) 333-6900

Executive branch

King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch Prime Minister Charles MICHEL (since 11 October 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012), Jan JAMBON (since 11 October 2014), Kris PEETERS, Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008) Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by Parliament

cabinet

Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Charles MICHEL (since 11 October 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012), Jan JAMBON (since 11 October 2014), Kris PEETERS, Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008)

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), ICCt, 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, Pacific Alliance (observer), 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, immigration, 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, immigration, 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 the Senate or Senaat (in Dutch), Senat (in French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election results, and 10 elected by the 50 other senators; members serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (in Dutch), Chambre des Representants (in French) (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) 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 reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; changes above occurred since the sixth state reform Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections Chamber of Representatives - 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%, Defi 1.8%, PP 1.5%, other 3.9%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, MR 20, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, Defi 2, PP 1

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate or Senaat (in Dutch), Senat (in French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election results, and 10 elected by the 50 other senators; members serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (in Dutch), Chambre des Representants (in French) (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Chamber of Representatives - 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%, Defi 1.8%, PP 1.5%, other 3.9%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, MR 20, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, Defi 2, PP 1

elections

Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections

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 reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; changes above occurred since the sixth state reform

National anthem

"La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, 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)

note

adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

National holiday

Belgian National Day (ascension to the throne of King LEOPOLD I), 21 July (1831)

National symbol(s)

golden rampant lion; national colors: red, black, yellow

golden rampant lion; national colors

red, black, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Wouter BEKE] Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Gwendolyn RUTTEN] Groen! [Meyrem ALMACI] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER] Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [John CROMBEZ] Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Tom VAN GRIEKEN] Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Patrick DUPRIEZ and Zakia KHATTABI] Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi [Olivier MAINGAIN] Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN] People's Party or PP [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] Reform Movement or MR [Olivier CHASTEL] Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO] Workers' Party or PTB [Peter MERTENS] other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Belgian General Federation of Labor or ABVV or FGTB [Rudy DE LEEUW, Marc GOBLET] Confederation of Christan Trade Unions or ACV or CSC [Marc LEEMANS, Marie-Helene SKA] Federation of Enterprises in Belgium or VBO or FEB [Pieter TIMMERMANS, Bernard GILLIOT] numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; trade unions; various organizations representing the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as BEPax and groups representing immigrants

other

numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; trade unions; various organizations representing the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as BEPax 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

$236.9 billion $249.1 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$249.1 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$236.9 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.25% (31 December 2016) 0.3% (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

note

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

2.01% (31 December 2016 est.) 2.46% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.849 billion (2016 est.) $1.936 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.281 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $1.214 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25.9 (2013 est.) 28.7 (1996)

Economy - overview

Belgium’s central geographic location and highly developed transport network have helped develop a well-diversified economy, with a broad mix of transport, services, manufacturing, and high tech. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. Belgium is 100% reliant on foreign sources of fossil fuels, and the planned closure of its seven nuclear plants by 2025 should increase its dependence on foreign energy. Its role as a regional logistical hub makes its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly with EU trading partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. Belgium’s GDP grew by 1.4% in 2016, unemployment at yearend was 8.4%, and the budget deficit was 2.7% of GDP. The economy largely recovered from the March 2016 terrorist attacks, which mainly impacted the Brussels region tourist and hospitality industry. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL's center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to decrease Belgium's high public debt of about 107% of GDP, but such efforts could also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and higher inflation promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue a reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to tax policy, labor market rules, and welfare benefits. These changes have generally made Belgian wages more competitive regionally, but risk worsening tensions with trade unions and triggering extended strikes.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$277.7 billion (2016 est.) $254.8 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 16.7%, France 15.4%, Netherlands 11.2%, UK 8.9%, US 5.8%, Italy 5.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

51.2% 23.6% 23% -0.2% 84.5% -82.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

84.5%

government consumption

23.6%

household consumption

51.2%

imports of goods and services

-82.1% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23%

investment in inventories

-0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.7% 22.3% 77% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

22.3%

services

77% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$45,000 (2016 est.) $44,800 (2015 est.) $44,300 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2016 est.) 1.5% (2015 est.) 1.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$466.6 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$509 billion (2016 est.) $496.7 billion (2015 est.) $484.2 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

22.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.4% 28.4% (2006)

highest 10%

28.4% (2006)

lowest 10%

3.4%

Imports

$271.2 billion (2016 est.) $251.9 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Netherlands 16.1%, Germany 13.6%, France 9.5%, US 8.1%, UK 4.8%, Ireland 4.5%, China 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.8% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force

5.291 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.3% 18.6% 80.1% (2013 est.)

agriculture

1.3%

industry

18.6%

services

80.1% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$414.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $378.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $374.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

15.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

106% of GDP (2016 est.) 106% of GDP (2015 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

note

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$23.57 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $24.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$525.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $524.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.016 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.012 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.054 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.034 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$684.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $661.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$198 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $181.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

note

see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2016 est.) 8.5% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

93.62 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

639,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

81.96 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

8.465 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

34.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

28% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

32.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

14.65 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

21.15 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

64.78 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

23.01 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1.694 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

18.81 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

662,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

597,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

585,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

701,700 bbl/day (2016 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 coexisting with private broadcasters (2009)

Internet country code

.be

Internet users

9,870,734 86.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

86.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

9,870,734

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) (2015)

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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

4,371,055 38 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

38 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

4,371,055

Telephones - mobile cellular

12,457,820 109 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

109 (July 2016 est.)

total

12,457,820

Airports

41 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

15 (2013)

total

15

under 914 m

15 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OO (2016)

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)

by type

bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7

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

National air transport system

11,193,023 1,464,316,900 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,464,316,900 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

11,193,023

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

117

number of registered air carriers

7

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 (9,654,000), Zeebrugge (1,569,000) (2015) Zeebrugge

container port(s) (TEUs)

Antwerp (9,654,000), Zeebrugge (1,569,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Zeebrugge

major seaport(s)

Oostende, Zeebrugge

river port(s)

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

Railways

3,592 km 3,592 km 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

3,592 km 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) (2014)

total

3,592 km

Roadways

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

paved

120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways)

total

154,012 km

unpaved

33,498 km (2010)

Waterways

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

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

0.87% of GDP (2016) 0.93% of GDP (2015) 0.97% of GDP (2014) 1.01% of GDP (2013) 1.04% of GDP (2012)

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

9,080 (Syria) (2016) 2,630 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

9,080 (Syria) (2016)

stateless persons

2,630 (2016)