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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

61 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.be

Internet users [time series]

2.7 million (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

8.075 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

4.769 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

974,494 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

4.72 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $114.8 billion expenditures: $117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Belgian franc (BEF); euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Belgium at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

BEF; EUR

Debt - external [time series]

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

ODA, $764 million (1997)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the government is encouraging investment in the southern region of Wallonia. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Belgium's public debt is expected to fall below 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government has succeeded in balancing is budget. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. Economic growth in 2000 was broad based, putting the government in a good position to pursue its energy market liberalization policies and planned tax cuts.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

75.089 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

8.207 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

9.055 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

79.829 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 40.01% hydro: 0.42% nuclear: 58.33% other: 1.24% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996)

Exports [time series]

$181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.4% industry: 26% services: 72.6% (2000 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.1% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.2% (1992)

Imports [time series]

$166 billion (c.i.f., 2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products

Imports - partners [time series]

EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.5% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.2% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.34 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.4% (2000 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 30,510 sq km land: 30,230 sq km water: 280 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about the size of Maryland

Climate [time series]

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Coastline [time series]

66 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO

Irrigated land [time series]

NA sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 21% other: 34%

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: median line with neighbors exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast) territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Natural resources [time series]

coal, natural gas

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish: provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces

Capital [time series]

Brussels

Constitution [time series]

7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alexis REYN chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, PRL, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[32] (2) 511-2725

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France

Government type [time series]

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

Independence [time series]

21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are 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 are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 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; for other acronyms of the listed parties see Political parties and leaders

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 July (1831)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dos GEYSELS]; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president]; Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP (Christian People's Party) [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Flemish Socialist Party or SP [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; Volksunie or VU [leader vacant]; other minor parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; 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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has 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.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$2.5 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.2% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,517,596 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,079,624 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

19 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 63,247 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17.48% (male 916,957; female 876,029) 15-64 years: 65.57% (male 3,390,145; female 3,336,908) 65 years and over: 16.95% (male 709,212; female 1,029,511) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.15% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

7,700 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.96 years male: 74.63 years female: 81.46 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate [time series]

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

10,258,762 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.16% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

growing producer of synthetic drugs; 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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

42 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 24 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2000 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 145,774 km paved: 116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways) unpaved: 29,592 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,912 GRT/53,161 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Railways [time series]

total: 3,437 km (2,446 km electrified; 2,563 km double track) standard gauge: 3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (1998)

Waterways [time series]

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