Quick Data on Belgium
Short Name | Belgium |
Capital | Brussels |
Long Name | Kingdom of Belgium |
Country Code | BE |
Continent | Europe |
Total Area | 30,528 sq km |
Population | 11,720,716 |
Language | Dutch, French, German |
Nationality | Belgian(s) |
Geography of Belgium
As a country in Europe, with coordinates at 50 50 N, 4 00 E, Belgium neighbors France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km. The terrain in Belgium is described as flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast, with an average elevation point of 181 m. The climate of Belgium: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy.
Surface Total | 30,528 sq km |
Land Surface | 30,278 sq km |
Water Surface | 250 sq km |
Land Boundaries | 1,297 km |
Neighbor Countries | France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km |
Coastline | 66.5 km |
Lowest Elevation Point | North Sea 0 m |
Highest Elevation Point | Botrange 694 m |
Resources of Belgium
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land. The agricultural land occupies 44.10% of Belgium, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 22.40%.
Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
Agricultural Land | 44.10% | 13,353 sq km | 2011 est. |
Irrigated Land | 230 sq km | 2012 | |
Forest Land | 22.40% | 6,782 sq km | 2011 est. |
Other Land | 33.50% | 10,143 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Belgium
The population of the country is estimated at 11,720,716 people, with the biggest urban area having 2.081 million BRUSSELS (capital), 1.042 million Antwerp (2020). Known as Belgian(s), the people from Belgium come from diversified ethnic groups such as Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.). The official language is Dutch, French, German. 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.).
Population | 11,720,716 |
Nationality | Belgian(s) |
Official Language | Dutch, French, German |
Other Languages | Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1% |
Birth Rate | 11.1 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Death Rate | 9.8 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Urban Population | 98.10% of total population (2020) |
Physicians Density | 3.07 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
Hospital Beds Density | 5.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
Governing Type of Belgium
Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The legal system makes use of 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.
Governing Type | federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy |
Citizenship by Birth | no |
Citizenship by Descent | at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium |
Dual Citizenship | yes |
Residency Requirement for Naturalization | 5 years |
Suffrage Vote | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
Economy of Belgium
From a population total of 11,720,716, the labor force is 5.324 million (2017 est.). The main products in agriculture are: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum. Its exports cover chemicals, machinery and equipment, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs. The main import products are: raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products.
Exports | $300.8 billion (2017 est.) |
Imports | $300.4 billion (2017 est.) |
Export Partners | Germany 16.6%, France 14.9%, Netherlands 12%, UK 8.4%, Italy 4.9%, US 4.8% (2017) |
Import Partners | Netherlands 17.3%, Germany 13.8%, France 9.5%, US 7.1%, UK 4.9%, Ireland 4.2%, China 4.1% (2017) |
GDP / Capita | $46,600 (2017 est.) |
Electricity Production | 79.83 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
Electrification Rate | electrification – total population: 100% (2016) |
Internet Users | 9,870,734 |
Internet Penetration Rate | 86.50% (July 2016 est.) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Belgium, statistics sectio