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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.be

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

4.367 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 17

Internet users [time series]

7.292 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 79, 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; 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 (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

4.457 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

11.822 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 51

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: $239.4 billion expenditures: $245.7 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100 5% (31 December 2007) 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 [time series]

7.03% (31 December 2008)

Current account balance [time series]

-$12.88 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $7.751 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.354 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.539 trillion (31 December 2007)

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

28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 120 28.7 (1996)

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 more than 80% of GDP. On the positive side, the government succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000-2008 period, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium is likely to have negative growth, growing unemployment, and a 3% budget deficit, stemming from the worldwide banking crisis.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Electricity - exports [time series]

6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$371.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $323.4 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 19.8%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$506.2 billion (2008)

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

$390.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $386.3 billion (2007 est.) $376.5 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

agriculture: 0.8% industry: 23.2% services: 76.1% (2008 est.)

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

$37,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $37,200 (2007 est.) $36,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 2.6% (2007 est.) 3% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2000)

Imports [time series]

$387.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $320.9 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Netherlands 19.4%, Germany 17.2%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.6%, China 4.2% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

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]

4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 1.8% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

22.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Labor force [time series]

4.99 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 72

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2% industry: 25% services: 73% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $386.4 billion (31 December 2007) $396.2 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

17.33 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas - imports [time series]

17.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Oil - consumption [time series]

716,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Oil - exports [time series]

507,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Oil - imports [time series]

1.076 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Oil - production [time series]

11,220 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Population below poverty line [time series]

15.2% (2007 est.)

Public debt [time series]

89.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$15.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $16.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$661.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $593 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$821 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $747.5 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$767.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $552 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

NA (31 December 2008) NA (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 7.5% (2007 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 30,528 sq km country comparison to the world: 140 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) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

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

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%) per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

400 sq km (2003)

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: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005)

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 contiguous zone: 24 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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

20.8 cu km (2005)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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 [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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Wayne BUSH embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], 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 Jan MATTHYSEN 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 [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 Herman VAN ROMPUY (30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, 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]

based on 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 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 12, MR 11, Open VLD 9, VB 8, PS 7, SP.A 6, CDH 5, Ecolo 5, Groen! 2, LDD 1, FN 1, independents 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV 23, N-VA 7, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, 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

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 Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; note - prior to 19 April 2008, known as Spirit; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform 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 other: 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; 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,407,128 females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,962,409 females age 16-49: 1,905,178 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 62,722 female: 59,969 (2009 est.)

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

Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Death rate [time series]

10.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 40

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

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

15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 201 male: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 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: 79.22 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 76.06 years female: 82.53 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.7 years male: 40.4 years female: 43 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Population [time series]

10,414,336 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Population growth rate [time series]

0.094% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2006)

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: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 97% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

43 (2009) country comparison to the world: 99

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 27 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: 9 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 15 (2009)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 79 country comparison to the world: 56 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10 foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2) registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge

Railways [time series]

total: 3,233 km country comparison to the world: 54 standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 152,256 km country comparison to the world: 34 paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)

Waterways [time series]

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008) country comparison to the world: 44