Belgium
Kingdom of BelgiumRoyaume de Belgique/
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Belgium as the 2013 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 166 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
Geography
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
20 fieldsLand useshare of 30,528 sq km
Terrain
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%)
- per capita:
- 589.8 cu m/yr (2007)
Natural hazards
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
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
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
People and Society
34 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2013 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2013 est.)
Male · female
Languages
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 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:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.72 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Government
Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; King PHILIPPE (since 21 August 2013); Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Senate, 150 seatsone dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Kingdom of Belgium
- conventional short form:
- Belgium
- local long form:
- Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie/Koenigreich Belgien
- local short form:
- Belgique/Belgie/Belgien
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
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
Independence
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
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)
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King PHILIPPE (since 21 August 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011);
- Deputy Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012);
- Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008);
- Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008);
- Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008);
- Pieter DE CREM (since 5 March 2013)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- 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 then approved by parliament
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected by popular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014)
- election results:
- Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, SP.A 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%;
- seats by party - N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, SP.A 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1;
- Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, SP.A 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%;
- seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular Party 1
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities;
this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly
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
Political parties and leaders
- Flemish parties:
- 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]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Bruno TOBBACK]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Gerolf ANNEMANS]
- Francophone parties:
- Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Olivier DELEUZE, Emily HOYOS]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN]; Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]; Reform Movement or MR [Charles MICHEL]; Socialist Party or PS [Paul MAGNETTE]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders
Federation of Belgian Industries
- other:
- trade unions;
- numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions;
- various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia;
- various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN (since 17 February 2008)
- chancery:
- 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 333-6900
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 338-4960
- consulate(s) general:
- Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Denise BAUER (since 7 August 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
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)
Economy
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.
41 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
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 2011 Belgian GDP grew by 1.8%, the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 7.2% from 8.3% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 4.2% in 2011 and 3.3% in 2012. Fourth quarter GDP growth in 2012 was at -0.1%, the third consecutive quarter of negative growth.
This brought economic growth for the whole of 2012 to negative 0.2%. It also left Belgium on the brink of a possible recession at the end of 2012. However, at year's end, the government appeared close to meeting its 2012 budget deficit goal of 3% of GDP. 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.
Gross national saving
19.6% of GDP (2012 est.) · 20.8% of GDP (2011 est.) · 22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Industries
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Distribution of family income - Gini index
28 (2005) · 28.7 (1996) country comparison to the world: 122
Public debt
99.6% of GDP (2012 est.) · 97.8% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 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
Central bank discount rate
1.5% (31 December 2012) · 1.75% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 121 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
3.62% (31 December 2012 est.) · 3.93% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Stock of narrow money
$185.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $170.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 note: 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
Stock of broad money
$543.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $547.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Stock of domestic credit
$574.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $559.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Current account balance
$-6.65 billion (2012 est.); $-5.662 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Exports - commodities
machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Imports - commodities
raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$30.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $29.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Debt - external
$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012) · $1.417 trillion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 14
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$1.159 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.161 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$1.185 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.171 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) · 0.72 (2011 est.) · 0.76 (2010 est.) · 0.72 (2009 est.) · 0.68 (2008 est.)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 18.32 million kW(2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
43.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
32.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - from other renewable sources
16.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
131.1 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone 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)
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)
Transportation
10 fieldsMerchant marine, 87 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Railways
- total:
- 3,233 km
country comparison to the world: 55
- standard gauge:
- 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways
- total:
- 154,012 km
country comparison to the world: 31
- paved:
- 120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways)
- unpaved:
- 33,498 km (2010)
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)
Military
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 2,359,232
- females age 16-49:
- 2,291,689 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
3 fieldsIllicit 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
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Belgium.” The World Factbook 2013. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/belgium/2013.