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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.be

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

166,799 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

3.4 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: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

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

5,120,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

8,135,500 (2002)

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: $173.7 billion expenditures: $174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2004 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [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

Current account balance [time series]

$11.4 billion (2004 est.)

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, $1.072 billion (2002)

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 nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

78.82 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports [time series]

9.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

16.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

76.58 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Exports [time series]

$255.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US 6.5%, Italy 5.2% (2004)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

$316.2 billion (2004 est.)

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

agriculture: 1.3% industry: 25.7% services: 73% (2004 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.)

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

2.6% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$235 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%, Ireland 6.3%, US 5.5% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.5% (2004 est.)

Industries [time series]

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.75 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 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]

4% (1989 est.)

Public debt [time series]

96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$14.45 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

12% (first half, 2004)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 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]

66.5 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-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 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: 23.28% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 76.32% note: includes Luxembourg (2001)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

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 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

Capital [time series]

Brussels

Constitution [time series]

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create 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 Tom C. KOROLOGOS 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 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York

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 formally appointed by the monarch 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.A-Spirit

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 declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, 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, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, 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 Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

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 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007) 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 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

National holiday [time series]

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

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

Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

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

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal 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

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,436,736 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,998,003 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males: 64,263 (2005 est.)

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

Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$3.999 billion (2003)

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

1.3% (2003)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

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

10,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

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: 78.62 years male: 75.44 years female: 81.94 years (2005 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: 40.55 years male: 39.29 years female: 41.81 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

10,364,388 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.15% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.64 children born/woman (2005 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; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco

Transportation

Airports [time series]

43 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 25 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: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 149,028 km paved: 116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,488 km (2002)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9 foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4) registered in other countries: 101 (2005)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Railways [time series]

total: 3,521 km standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)

Waterways [time series]

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)