Belgium

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 users

total: 9.5 million | percent of population: 84.7% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities | domestic: nationwide mobile-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 - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 4.7 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 12.7 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Television broadcast stations

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $267.9 billion | expenditures: $280.8 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Central bank discount rate

0.75% (31 December 2013) | 1.5% (31 December 2010) | note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area | country comparison to the world: 132

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.5% (31 December 2014 est.) | 3.49% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Current account balance

$8.71 billion (2014 est.) | -$9.661 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Debt - external

$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) | $1.417 trillion (31 December 2011) | country comparison to the world: 14

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25.9 (2013 est.) | 28.7 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 133

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 shifts in foreign demand, particularly in Belgium’s EU trade partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. In 2014 Belgian GDP grew by 0.9%, the unemployment rate stabilized at 8.5%, and the the budget deficit was 3.2% of GDP. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL’s center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to reduce Belgium’s high public debt, which remains above 100% of GDP, but such efforts could also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and high unemployment promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue an reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to tax policy, labor market rules, and welfare benefits. These changes risk worsening tensions with trade unions and triggering extended strikes.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.7489 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.78 (2012 est.) | 0.7185 (2011 est.) | 0.755 (2010 est.)

Exports

$323.4 billion (2014 est.) | $321 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 17.3%, France 16.2%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 8.6%, US 4.9%, Italy 4.5% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$534.7 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$481.5 billion (2014 est.) | $476.5 billion (2013 est.) | $475.2 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 39

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 53.7% | government consumption: 25.5% | investment in fixed capital: 20.6% | investment in inventories: 0.4% | exports of goods and services: 85.9% | imports of goods and services: -86% | (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.8% | industry: 21.1% | services: 78.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,000 (2014 est.) | $42,500 (2013 est.) | $42,400 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 37

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2014 est.) | 0.3% (2013 est.) | 0.1% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Gross national saving

23.5% of GDP (2014 est.) | 22.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | 22.8% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$340.2 billion (2014 est.) | $331.2 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Netherlands 20.2%, Germany 13.3%, France 10.3%, US 7.1%, UK 5% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

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)

0.5% (2014 est.) | 1.2% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45

Labor force

5.225 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.3% | industry: 18.6% | services: 80.1% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$300.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $229.9 billion (31 December 2011) | $269.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Population below poverty line

15.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

101.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | 101.2% of GDP (2013 est.) | 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 | country comparison to the world: 12

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$26.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | $26.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Stock of broad money

$606.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $630.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.077 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.084 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.196 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.169 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 6

Stock of domestic credit

$568.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $596 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Stock of narrow money

$202.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $205.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | 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 | country comparison to the world: 23

Taxes and other revenues

50.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Unemployment rate

8.5% (2014 est.) | 8.4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

139.1 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Crude oil - imports

634,700 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Electricity - consumption

83.16 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Electricity - exports

7.603 billion kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Electricity - from fossil fuels

46.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

30.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Electricity - from other renewable sources

22.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - imports

17.24 billion kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - installed generating capacity

20.79 million kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity - production

74.13 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - consumption

17.63 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas - exports

5.613 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Natural gas - imports

23.33 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Refined petroleum products - consumption

612,800 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Refined petroleum products - exports

442,800 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Refined petroleum products - imports

433,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Refined petroleum products - production

715,300 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Area

total: 30,528 sq km | land: 30,278 sq km | water: 250 sq km | country comparison to the world: 141

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: 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: 6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%) | per capita: 589.8 cu m/yr (2007)

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

total: 1,297 km | border countries (4): France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km

Land use

agricultural land: 44.1% | arable land 27.2%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 16.1% | 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

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, arable land

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)

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) | 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

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

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

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

chief of mission: Ambassador Denise Campbell BAUER (since 26 September 2013) | embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels | mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 | telephone: [32] (2) 811-4000 | FAX: [32] (2) 811-4500

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014) | chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 | FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 | consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch | 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) | cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by 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

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

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

description: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 31 indirectly elected by Community Parliaments; members serve 4-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 4-year terms) | 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 | 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 | 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

National anthem

name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) | lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT | 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

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

National symbol(s)

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! [Meyren ALMACI] (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 [Tom VAN GRIEKEN] | Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Patrick DUPRIEZ and Zakia KHATTABI] | Francophone Federalist Democrats or FDF [Olivier MAINGAIN] | Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN] | People's Party [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] | Reform Movement or MR [Olivier CHASTEL] | Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO] | Workers' Party [Peter Mertens] | other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Belgian General Federation of Labor [Rudy DE LEEUW, Marc GOBLET] | Confederation of Christan Trade Unions [Marc LEEMANS, Marie-Helene SKA] | Federation of Enterprises in Belgium [Pieter TIMMERMANS, Michele SIOEN] | 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 Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,359,232 | females age 16-49: 2,291,689 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,934,957 | females age 16-49: 1,877,268 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 59,665 | female: 57,142 (2010 est.)

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2013) | 1.05% of GDP (2012) | 1.08% of GDP (2011) | 1.05% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 97

Military service age and obligation

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.08% (male 990,272/female 943,363) | 15-24 years: 11.59% (male 669,540/female 642,486) | 25-54 years: 40.45% (male 2,308,285/female 2,272,085) | 55-64 years: 12.65% (male 709,347/female 723,696) | 65 years and over: 18.23% (male 893,096/female 1,171,803) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

11.41 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 171

Contraceptive prevalence rate

70.4% | note: percent of women aged 18-49 (2008/10)

Death rate

9.63 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 54.2% | youth dependency ratio: 26.1% | elderly dependency ratio: 28.1% | potential support ratio: 3.6% (2015 est.)

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.)

Education expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 30

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

11.2% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 16

Hospital bed density

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.41 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 3.81 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 209

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.88 years | male: 78.3 years | female: 83.58 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Major urban areas - population

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

Median age

total: 41.4 years | male: 40.2 years | female: 42.6 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Belgian(s) | adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate

5.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.1% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 83

Physicians density

3.78 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

11,323,973 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Population growth rate

0.76% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Religions

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

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.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years | male: 16 years | female: 17 years (2012)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 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 | total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 19.8% | male: 20.4% | female: 19.8% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Urbanization

urban population: 97.9% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.48% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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

refugees (country of origin): 5,038 (Afghanistan) (2014) | stateless persons: 2,554 (2014)

Airports

41 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 102

Airports - with paved runways

total: 26 | over 3,047 m: 6 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 8 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 15 | 15 (2013)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 87 | 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) | country comparison to the world: 56

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Oostende, Zeebrugge | river port(s): Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River); Brussels (Senne River); Liege (Meuse River) | container port(s) (TEUs): Antwerp (8,664,243), Zeebrugge (2,207,257) (2011) | LNG terminal(s) (import): Zeebrugge

Railways

total: 3,592 km | standard gauge: 3,592 km 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 55

Roadways

total: 154,012 km | paved: 120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways) | unpaved: 33,498 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 31

Waterways

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012) | country comparison to the world: 41