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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]

3.76 million (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

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)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $113.4 billion expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

EUR

Debt - external [time series]

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

28.7 (1996)

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. 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. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

78.18 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

6.712 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

15.82 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

74.28 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 59.3%

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998)

Exports [time series]

$162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.)

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

agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.4% services: 74.3% (2001)

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

purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.)

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

0.7% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)

Imports [time series]

$152 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.5% (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]

1.7% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.44 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

450,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

1.042 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.2% (2002 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, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed 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, Kyoto Protocol, 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

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, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

Irrigated land [time series]

40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)

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: 25% permanent crops: 0% note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.) other: 75%

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

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; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen

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 short form: Belgique/Belgie local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 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 monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO

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]

4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne

International organization participation [time series]

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

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 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007) 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 the Political parties and leaders entry election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2

National holiday [time series]

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

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

AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; 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 Components, Federal Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$3.077 billion (FY01/02)

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

1.4% (FY01/02)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

19 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 60,921 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2001 est.)

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

8,500 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.29 years male: 74.97 years female: 81.78 years (2003 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 40 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.3 years (2002)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate [time series]

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population [time series]

10,289,088 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.14% (2003 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 (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.62 children born/woman (2003 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; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco

Transportation

Airports [time series]

42 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 15 (2002)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 148,216 km paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways) unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003)

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: 3,471 km standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002)

Waterways [time series]

1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)