Introduction: Belgium Download PDF

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.

Capital City: Brussels (+1 GMT)  
Chief of State: King Albert II  
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy  
Currency: Euro  
Main Cities: Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi  
Major Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%  
Calling Code: 32  
Voltage: 230  
Primary Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%  

Main Airports

Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), Brussels Zaventem (BRU)

U.S. Embassy

27 Boulevard du Régent, 1000 Brussels
tel. 02/501-2111

Corporations

Dexia (Banking)
$153.35 Billion USD
KBC Group (Banking)
$30.83 Billion USD
Delhaize Group (Food Markets)
$27.67 Billion USD
Anheuser-Busch InBev (Food, Drink & Tobacco)
$22.41 Billion USD

Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$37,400 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
4.5% (2008)
Population
10,414,336 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings
A2
Ease of Doing Business
19/181
Global Competitiveness
19/134

Statistics

Labor force:
4.99 million (2008)
Exports:
$371.5 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.9%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008)
Imports:
$387.7 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - partners:
Netherlands 19.5%, Germany 17.3%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.5%, China 4.1% (2008)
Major Industries:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Rankings

Corruption Perceptions Index
7.3 out of 180
 
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Transparency International

E-readiness Rankings
20 out of 70
 
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.

Data collected in 2008

Source: EIU

Freedom of the Press
11 out of 191
 
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Freedom House

Global Enabling Trade Report
18 out of 118
 
The Global Enabling Trade Report is published yearly by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Enabling Trade Report analyzes which countries around the world enable trade from country to destination by measuring market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure, and the business environment. The highest ranked countries have the best factors, policies, and services facilitating the free flow of goods across borders.

Data collected in 2008

Source: World Economic Forum

Global Services Location Index
-
 
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.

Data collected in 2007

Source: A.T. Kearney

Index of Economic Freedom
20 out of 155
 
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Heritage Foundation

Inward FDI Potential Index
15 out of 140
 
The Inward FDI Potential Index is reported every three years by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organization that promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Inward FDI Potential Index uses several economic factors that are expected to affect an economy’s attractiveness to foreign investors. The higher ranked countries are more attractive to investors. Index units, 0=low scoring country, 1=high scoring country.

Data collected in 2006

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2006

Tax Misery & Reform Index
3 out of 61
 
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Forbes

The Globalization Index
15 out of 198
 
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Foreign Policy