Belgium: Economic and Political Outline
Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline
Following the year 2009, most chaotic regarding the economy and marked by the global recession, the GDP growth has again become positive in 2010. It is estimated at 1.6% and is lead by strong public spending and the newly-found dynamism of international trade. Prospects for 2011 are hardly more optimistic.
The crisis has left Belgium in a difficult financial situation: the country faces a large public debt, the budget deficit has deepened, which has prompted the European Council to open an excessive deficit procedure. The government however refuses to adopt austerity measures and instead has decided to set up an economic stimulus plan.
Belgium is a prosperous country and its GDP is among the highest in the world. Nevertheless, regional disparities remain strong; Wallonia faces a worrying problem of structural unemployment.
| Main Indicators | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 (e) | 2013 (e) |
| GDP (billions USD) | 472.10 | 467.78e | 529.05e | 549.68 | 567.24 |
| GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) | -2.7 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| GDP per Capita (USD) | 43,552 | 42,845 | 48,110 | 49,630 | 50,849 |
| General Government Balance (in % of GDP) | -3.2 | -2.9 | -2.6 | -2.7 | -2.8 |
| General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) | 96.2 | 96.7 | 94.6 | 94.3 | 93.9 |
| Inflation Rate (%) | -0.0 | 2.3 | 3.2e | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (% of the Labor Force) | 8.0 | 8.4 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Current Account (billions USD) | -0.04 | 4.89 | 3.08e | 4.91 | 7.57 |
| Current Account (in % of GDP) | -0.0 | 1.0e | 0.6 | 1.3 | - |
Source: IMF - World Economic Outlook Database ; World Bank , Last Available Data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
The Belgian economy is largely orientated towards services. In fact, the tertiary sector accounts for almost three fourths of the national wealth. Brussels, which is home to several European institutions, numerous diplomatic missions and different interest groups, has created an economy which is based essentially on services.
The industrial sector accounts for practically a fourth of the GDP. There are significant discrepancies between the three Belgian regions. While Flanders has succeeded in developing the second largest petro-chemical sector in the world, Wallonia is in the middle of restructuring, following the closure of several collieries and a large number of steel industries. Brussels distinguishes itself in the areas of telecommunication, software development and in pharmaceutical and automobile industry.
Agriculture contributes a small amount to the Belgian economy.
| Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector | Agriculture | Industry | Services |
| Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) | 1.5 | 23.5 | 74.1 |
| Value Added (in % of GDP) | 0.7 | 21.7 | 77.6 |
| Value Added (Annual % Change) | -0.4 | -6.7 | -1.5 |
Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.
Distribution of Economic freedom in the world
Source: 2011 Index of Economic freedom, Heritage Foundation
See the Country Risk Analysis Provided By Ducroire.
The Belgian economy is particularly open, foreign trade representing more than 180% of GDP. In addition to being an export champion, Belgium also plays an important role as a transit and distribution center for the other countries of the European Union.
Belgium's trade deficit, which was structurally in surplus but had been gradually worsening since 2002, reached a colossal deficit under the effects of the global recession. It has somewhat recovered with the resumption of exports.
Belgian international trade is primarily done within the European Union (nearly 80% of exports and imports). Its main trading partners are the Netherlands, Germany, France, Great Britain and the United States.
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 351,635 | 411,558 | 466,307 | 351,944 | 390,156 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 366,745 | 430,952 | 471,840 | 369,845 | 411,240 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | 52,313 | 68,418 | 82,662 | 72,823 | 75,455 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | 57,143 | 72,207 | 85,187 | 79,473 | 80,813 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 4.6 | 4.7 | 3.0 | -11.1 | - |
| Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 2.6 | 3.8 | - | - | - |
| Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 78.5 | 79.5 | 84.8 | 70.2 | - |
| Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 82.3 | 83.4 | 85.7 | 73.0 | - |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | 2,872 | 615 | -16,135 | -6,611 | -2,331 |
| Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | 9,135 | 6,388 | -11,271 | 3,349 | 4,598 |
| Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 160.8 | 162.9 | 170.5 | 143.2 | - |
Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank , Last Available Data
| Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2010 |
| Germany | 18.6% |
| France | 16.6% |
| Netherlands | 11.9% |
| United Kingdom | 7.0% |
| United States | 5.7% |
| See More Countries | 40.2% |
| Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2010 |
| Netherlands | 18.9% |
| Germany | 16.3% |
| France | 11.3% |
| United States | 5.5% |
| United Kingdom | 5.4% |
| See More Countries | 42.6% |
Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data
Source: Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2010, Reporters Without Borders
Map of freedom 2010
Source: Freedom House
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Last Updates: January 2012