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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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)

Internet country code [time series]

.be

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

5.192 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 21

Internet users [time series]

8.113 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

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

4.631 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 33

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

12.88 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 67

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $241.9 billion expenditures: $258.2 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.75% (31 December 2013) country comparison to the world: 127 1.5% (31 December 2010) 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]

3.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 3.62% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$9.1 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 -$6.65 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.417 trillion (31 December 2011)

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

28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 125 28.7 (1996)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 2013 Belgian GDP grew by 0.1%, the unemployment rate increased to 8.8% from 7.6% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 3.2%. 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.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.) 0.755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports [time series]

$295.3 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $302.4 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 18%, France 16.1%, Netherlands 13%, UK 7.3%, US 5.3%, Italy 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$507.4 billion (2013 est.)

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

$421.7 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $421.3 billion (2012 est.) $422.5 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 53.7% government consumption: 25% investment in fixed capital: 20.2% investment in inventories: 0.8% exports of goods and services: 81.8% imports of goods and services: -81.5% (2013 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.8% industry: 22.6% services: 76.6% (2013 est.)

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

$37,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $38,000 (2012 est.) $38,400 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

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

0.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 -0.3% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

19.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 19.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Imports [time series]

$310.2 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $311.1 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Netherlands 20.9%, Germany 14.2%, France 10.6%, US 6.1%, UK 5.5%, Ireland 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 2.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

5.15 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

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 2012 est.) $NA (31 December 2011) $269.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

15.2% (2007 est.)

Public debt [time series]

102.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 99.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$30.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $29.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$591.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $585 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.215 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $1.185 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

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

$1.195 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $1.159 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$581.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $574.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$185.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $185.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) 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

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

47.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 7.6% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

131.1 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Crude oil - imports [time series]

667,700 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Crude oil - production [time series]

10,530 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Electricity - consumption [time series]

84.68 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - exports [time series]

6.911 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

43.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

32.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

16.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Electricity - imports [time series]

16.85 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

18.32 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - production [time series]

83.37 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

13.46 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - exports [time series]

21.18 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Natural gas - imports [time series]

38.9 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

644,400 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

442,800 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

355,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

720,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 30,528 sq km country comparison to the world: 141 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: 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: 6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%) per capita: 589.8 cu m/yr (2007)

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]

233.5 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,297 km border countries: France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 27.06% permanent crops: 0.72% other: 72.22% note: includes Luxembourg (2011)

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]

18.3 cu km (2011)

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]

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)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German) local short form: Belgique/Belgie/Belgien

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014) 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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 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); Deputy Prime Minister Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008); Depurty Prime Minister Johan VANDE LANOTTE (since i6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister 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 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 law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats indirectly elected serve five-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 five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 May 2014 (next to be held May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 20.3%, PS 11.7%, CD&V 11.6%, Open VLD 9.8%, MR 9.6%, SP.A 8.8%, Groen! 5.3%, CDH 5.0% Workers' Party 3.7%, VB 3.7%, Ecolo 3.3%, FDF 1.8%, the People's Party 1.5%, other 7.2%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, MR 20, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, FDF 2, the People's 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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

lion

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

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] People's Party [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] 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] Francophone Federalist Democrats [Olivier MAINGAIN] Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN] Reform Movement or MR [Charles MICHEL] Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO] Workers' Party [Peter Mertens] other minor parties

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

Federation of Enterprises in Belgium [Pieter TIMMERMANS/Pierre Alain DE SMEDT]; Confederation of Christan Trade Unions [Luc CORTEBEECK/Claude ROLIN]; Belgian General Federation of Labor [Rudy DE LEEUW/Anne DEMELENNE] other: trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations representing 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. Political divisions 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,359,232 females age 16-49: 2,291,689 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,934,957 females age 16-49: 1,877,268 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 59,665 female: 57,142 (2010 est.)

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

Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.05% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 99 1.08% of GDP (2011) 1.05% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 830,980/female 797,624) 15-24 years: 11.7% (male 624,486/female 598,904) 25-54 years: 40.4% (male 2,131,869/female 2,086,212) 55-64 years: 13.3% (male 690,395/female 704,284) 65 years and over: 19% (male 836,685/female 1,147,922) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.99 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

70.4% note: percent of women aged 18-49 (2010)

Death rate [time series]

10.76 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 54.8 % youth dependency ratio: 26.4 % elderly dependency ratio: 28.4 % potential support ratio: 3.5 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 30

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

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

14,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

10.6% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 20

Hospital bed density [time series]

6.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 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: 79.92 years country comparison to the world: 37 male: 76.76 years female: 83.22 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population [time series]

BRUSSELS (capital) 1.949 million; Antwerp 959,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 156

Median age [time series]

total: 43.1 years male: 41.7 years female: 44.4 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

28 (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

22.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 83

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.78 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

10,449,361 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Population growth rate [time series]

0.05% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

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

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.65 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 19.8% country comparison to the world: 60 male: 20.4% female: 19.8% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 97.5% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.32% annual rate of change (2010-15 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 3,898 (2012)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

41 (2013) country comparison to the world: 102

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 26 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 15 under 914 m: 15 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 87 country comparison to the world: 56 by type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1) registered in other countries: 107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 3,139 km; oil 154 km; refined products 535 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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) LNG terminal(s) (import): Zeebrugge

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

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)

Waterways [time series]

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012) country comparison to the world: 42