Belgium

Belgium

Introduction

Background

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.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 30,528 sq km
country comparison to the world: 141 land:30,278 sq km
water:250 sq km

Area – comparative

about the size of Maryland

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

66.5 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:geographic coordinates define outer limit
continental shelf:median line with neighbors

Climate

temperate

mild winters, cool summers

rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain

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

Elevation extremes

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

Natural resources

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Land use

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

Irrigated land

230 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

20.8 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Natural hazards

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

Environment – current issues

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

Environment – international agreements

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

Geography – note

crossroads of Western Europe

most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Belgian(s)
adjective:Belgian

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

10,431,477 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.9% (male 846,706/female 812,486)
15-64 years:66.1% (male 3,475,404/female 3,416,060)
65 years and over:18% (male 783,895/female 1,096,926) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 42.3 years
male:41 years
female:43.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.071% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Birth rate

10.06 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Death rate

10.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Net migration rate

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Urbanization

urban population: 97% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

BRUSSELS (capital) 1.892 million

Antwerp 961,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.045 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 (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 168

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 193 male:4.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.51 years
country comparison to the world: 37 male:76.35 years
female:82.81 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.65 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Health expenditures

11.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 12

Physicians density

2.987 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41

Hospital bed density

6.6 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

10.8% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 54

Education expenditures

6.01% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 29

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years
male:16 years
female:16 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 21.9%
country comparison to the world: 44 male:21.5%
female:22.5% (2009)

Government

Country name

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

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Capital

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

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands)

21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

National holiday

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

Constitution

7 February 1831

revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state

amended many times;

Legal system

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993)

Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
head of government:Prime Minister Yves LETERME (since 25 November 2009)

note – the king accepted the resignation of LETERME on 26 April 2010

LETERME remains as caretaker
cabinet:Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World 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 then approved by parliament

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats

40 members directly elected by popular vote, 31 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 directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections:Senate and Chamber of Deputies – last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, sp.a 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%

seats by party – N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, sp.a 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1

Chamber of Deputies – percent of vote by party – N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, sp.a 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%

seats by party – N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular 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

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (previously Court of Arbitration) (12 judges, 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking, appointed by the King)

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)

Political parties and leaders

Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Wouter BEKE]

Dedecker List or LDD [Lode VEREECK]

Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Alexander DE CROO]

Groen! [Wouter VAN BESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens)

New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]

Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]

Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS]
Francophone parties:Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Sarah TURINE]

Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]

Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]

Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]

Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]

other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Howard W. GUTMAN
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

Flag description

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)

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “La Brabanconne” (The Song of Brabant)
lyrics/music:Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT
note:adopted 1830

Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began

according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

Economy

Economy – overview

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, yet also able to benefit from them. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium’s trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2010 Belgian GDP grew by 2.1%, the unemployment rate rose slightly, and the government reduced the budget deficit, which had worsened in 2008 and 2009 because of large-scale bail-outs in the financial sector. Belgium’s budget deficit decreased from 6% of GDP to 4.1% in 2010, while public debt was just under 100% of GDP. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government. An ageing population and rising social expenditures are mid- to long-term challenges to public finances.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$394.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31 $386.7 billion (2009 est.)
$397.3 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$465.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145 -2.7% (2009 est.)
0.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$37,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26 $37,100 (2009 est.)
$38,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0.7%
industry:21.9%
services:77.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

5.114 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

8.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 7.9% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

15.2% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Distribution of family income – Gini index

28 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 127 28.7 (1996)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Budget

revenues: $228.4 billion
expenditures:$248 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

49% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Public debt

100.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11 100.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75 0% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 121 1.75% (31 December 2009)
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

4.21% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167 4.576% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$175.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18 $183.9 billion (31 December 2009 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

Stock of broad money

$548.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 $552.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$801.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17 $767.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$269.3 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 25 $261.4 billion (31 December 2009)
$167.4 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco

beef, veal, pork, milk

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

7.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity – production

84.2 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Electricity – consumption

84.78 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Electricity – exports

11.32 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.837 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

11,220 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Oil – consumption

622,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Oil – exports

353,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Oil – imports

1.007 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas – consumption

19.53 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas – imports

19.32 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

Current account balance

$6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33 $1.719 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$282.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16 $249.8 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

Germany 19.1%, France 17%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 5.3%, Italy 4.7% (2010)

Imports

$284.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17 $256.4 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

Netherlands 19.1%, Germany 16.4%, France 11.3%, UK 5.4%, US 5.3%, Ireland 5.3%, China 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$26.81 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $23.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$1.399 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 11 $1.241 trillion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$910.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6 $848 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$765.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 $728.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.755 (2010)
0.72 (2009)
0.6827 (2008)
0.7345 (2007)
0.7964 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

43 (2010)
country comparison to the world:100

Airports – with paved runways

total: 27
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:9 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 16
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:15 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 2,826 km

oil 154 km

refined products 535 km (2010)

Railways

total: 3,233 km
country comparison to the world: 55 standard gauge:3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 153,595 km
country comparison to the world: 32 paved:120,111 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)
unpaved:33,484 km (2008)

Waterways

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 43

Merchant marine

total: 81
country comparison to the world: 55 by type:bulk carrier 21, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned:13 (Denmark 4, France 5, UK 2, US 2)
registered in other countries:104 (Bahamas 9, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 2, France 7, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 16, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 9, Malta 14, Moldova 2, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

cargo ports (tonnage): Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge
container ports (TEUs):Antwerp (8,662,891), Zeebrugge (2,209,715)

Military

Military branches

Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Commands (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

conscription suspended (2010)

Manpower available for military service

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

Manpower fit for military service

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Illicit drugs

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