The Human Truth Foundation

Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium)

http://www.humantruth.info/belgium.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#australia #belgium

Belgium
Kingdom of Belgium
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index14th best
CapitalBrussels
Land Area 30 280km21
LocationEurope
Population11.5m2
Life Expectancy81.88yrs (2017)3
GNI$52 293 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesBE, BEL, 565
Internet Domain.be6
CurrencyEuro (EUR)7
Telephone+328

1. Overview

#france #germany #netherlands

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. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFabulously historic and deliciously tasty, bursting with cutting-edge art yet never really showy, gently humorous and decidedly multilingual - Belgium is a little country full of big surprises [whose] self-deprecating people have quietly spent centuries producing some of Europe's finest art and architecture. Bilingual Brussels is the dynamic yet personable EU capital, but also sports what's arguably the world's most beautiful city square. Flat, Dutch-speaking Flanders has many other alluring medieval cities, all easily linked by regular train hops. In hilly, French-speaking Wallonia, the attractions are contrastingly rural - castle villages, outdoor activities and extensive cave systems. ... Belgians create a remarkable range of edible specialities including some of the planet's most mouth-watering chocolates. Jumbo wine-soaked mussels are served up with crispy, twice-fried frites (chips). And then of course there´s the beer. Brewing is an almost mystical art in Belgium, where some of the finest ales are still created in working monasteries to age-old recipes.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Belgium National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
13=Belgium0.937
13=New Zealand0.937
15Canada0.936
16Liechtenstein0.935
17Luxembourg0.930
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
17Austria$53 619
18Kuwait$52 920
19San Marino$52 654
20Belgium$52 293
21Andorra$51 167
22Finland$49 452
23Australia$49 238
24Canada$46 808
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
11Australia38.2
12Austria38.6
13UK39.0
14Belgium40.1
15Ireland40.2
16Japan40.5
17France43.2
18Luxembourg43.3
Europe Avg57.4
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Belgium's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Belgium's population is predicted to fall to 11 242 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.83. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
75Rwanda12.3m
76Tunisia11.6m
77Benin11.5m
78Belgium11.5m
79Bolivia11.4m
80Cuba11.3m
81Burundi11.2m
82Haiti11.1m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
25Denmark81.4
26Cyprus81.2
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
22Azerbaijan2.16
23Chile1.84
24Bangladesh2.16
25Belgium1.83
26Algeria2.17
27Oman2.17
28Argentina2.18
29El Salvador2.18
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
166Bosnia & Herzegovina37.3
167S. Korea37.6
168Estonia37.9
169Belgium38.1
170Switzerland38.3
171Canada38.5
172Croatia39.7
173Malta39.9
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
53Belarus11.4%
54Montenegro11.3%
55Ukraine11.2%
56Belgium11.1%
57Greece10.9%
58Malta10.6%
59Italy10.0%
60Gambia9.8%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
120Egypt4.4%
121Germany4.3%
122S. Korea4.3%
123Belgium4.2%
124Syria4.2%
125Burundi4.2%
126Panama4.0%
127Norway3.8%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Belgium #equality #freedom #freethought #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
12Hong Kong24.3
13France24.7
14Germany24.8
15Belgium25.9
16Uruguay26.5
17UK26.6
Europe Avg51.4
World Avg87.9
q=199.
When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Belgium leads the world, setting excellent examples. Belgium does the best in freethought18. It does the second-best in LGBT equality19. It comes in the best 20 for commentary in Human Rights Watch reports20, opposing gender inequality21, its nominal commitment to Human Rights22 and in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms23. And finally, it does better than average for supporting press freedom24, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice25 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties26. Human Rights Watch specifically states that Belgium's support of women's rights has been exemplary27.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Belgium's Health

#alcohol #Belgium #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
...
13Iceland76.9
14=Netherlands77.0
15Greece77.4
16Belgium77.9
17Armenia78.4
18Cyprus78.6
19Malta78.9
20Slovenia79.9
21Hungary80.9
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
38=Eritrea77.0
39Bahrain77.3
40Greece77.4
41Belgium77.9
42Armenia78.4
43Cyprus78.6
44Malta78.9
45Myanmar (Burma)79.1
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives29. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau29.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean29, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa29.

For more, see:

Health:

Belgium does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Belgium comes in the best 20 for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance30 and in its immunizations take-up31. It does better than average in its average life expectancy11, its fertility rate13 and in its adolescent birth rate21. But, things could still be better. Belgium falls into the worst-performing 20 in terms of its suicide rate32, its smoking rate33 and in its alcohol consumption rate34. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Belgium improved by +5.8yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
25Denmark81.4
26Cyprus81.2
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
34
Pos.2016
Per Capita34
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
173=Poland11.6
174Russia11.7
175Seychelles12.0
176Belgium12.1
177Portugal12.3
178=Slovenia12.6
178=France12.6
180Romania12.7
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
22Azerbaijan2.16
23Chile1.84
24Bangladesh2.16
25Belgium1.83
26Algeria2.17
27Oman2.17
28Argentina2.18
29El Salvador2.18
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
33
Pos.201433
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
173Bosnia & Herzegovina2 233
174China2 250
175Luxembourg2 284
176Belgium2 353
177Slovenia2 637
178Russia2 690
179Macedonia2 732
180Lebanon3 023
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate32
Pos.2013
Per 100k32
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
77Estonia37.9
78Serbia38.1
79Finland39
80Belgium39.1
81Slovenia44
82Ukraine44.8
83Latvia48.2
84Japan49.4
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
13Australia13
14UAE14
15Saudi Arabia15
16Belgium16
17New Zealand17
18Jordan18
19S. Korea19
20Kuwait20
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better35
Pos.2016
%35
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
134=Montenegro59.4
134=Belarus59.4
136France59.5
137=Belgium59.5
138Lithuania59.6
139=Croatia59.6
140El Salvador59.9
141Dominica60.3
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
21
Pos.2015
Per 100021
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
22China7.3
23Greece7.5
24Oman8.1
25Belgium8.2
26Spain8.4
27Bosnia & Herzegovina8.6
28Saudi Arabia8.8
29France8.9
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
16=Oman98.0
17Antigua & Barbuda98.0
18Cuba97.9
19Belgium97.8
20Thailand97.8
21=Mauritius97.6
21=Fiji97.6
23Kuwait97.5
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Belgium's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #energy #food #meat #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
...
24Cyprus79.3
25Albania79.8
26Belarus81.5
27Belgium82.2
28Ireland82.4
29Ukraine83.2
30=Malta83.5
31Slovenia85.5
32Turkey92.2
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
83Belarus81.5
84=Gambia82.0
84=Cameroon82.0
86Belgium82.2
87Djibouti82.3
88Ireland82.4
89Iran82.6
90Ukraine83.2
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Belgium comes 86th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Belgium comes in the best 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index37 and in its environmental performance38. But that's it. Belgium has problems. It does worse than average for energy to GDP efficiency39, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population40, annual meat consumption per person41 (still low for Europe) and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity.

Environmental Performance
Higher is better
38
Pos.201838
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
16Italy77.0
17New Zealand76.0
18Netherlands75.5
19Israel75.0
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better39
Pos.201439
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
60=Jordan09.09
61Slovenia08.85
62Sweden08.62
63=Belgium08.47
63=Guatemala08.47
65India08.40
66Cameroon08.33
67Australia08.20
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
162Laos1996 Dec 19
163Haiti1996 Dec 24
164Croatia1997 Jan 05
165Belgium1997 Feb 20
166Dominican Rep.1997 Feb 23
167Turkey1997 May 15
168Gabon1997 Jun 12
169Burundi1997 Jul 14
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better40
Pos.2011
%40
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
100Israel27.6%
101Palestine27.5%
102Saudi Arabia27.2%
103Belgium26.9%
104Syria26.6%
105Qatar26.5%
106Bahrain26.3%
107S. Africa26.2%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
41
Pos.2021
kg41
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
115China63.6
116Netherlands63.8
117Malaysia65.3
118Belgium66.2
119Gabon66.3
120Sweden66.9
121Romania67.1
122Malta67.8
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Belgium was reducing.41

Green Future Index
Higher is better37
Pos.2023
Score37
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
13Italy5.7
14=Ireland5.7
14=Canada5.7
16Luxembourg5.6
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

7. Belgium's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
6Czechia16.7
7Sweden18.6
8Germany18.6
9Iceland19.6
10Austria19.6
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
6Belgium16.1
7Czechia16.7
8New Zealand17.6
9Sweden18.6
10Germany18.6
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Over the 1990s, Belgium was one of only ten countries to increase its expected duration of education by over 3 years. By 1996, education in Belgium was the 2nd-longest in the world, at 17.6 years per person, beaten only by Australia. It increased this to 19 years per person, becoming the country with the second-longest duration in the world from 2003 throughout much of the 2010s.43

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2944
2Israel4.1144
3Japan3.5844
...
9Switzerland2.9645
10Germany2.8444
11USA2.7446
12Belgium2.4644
13Slovenia2.3944
14France2.2644
15Australia2.2547
16=Singapore2.0046
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
48
Pos.201848
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
49Netherlands88.3%
50Cuba87.4%
51Poland85.3%
52Belgium84.8%
53UK84.5%
54Jordan84.0%
55France83.5%
56Sri Lanka82.8%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
49
Pos.2021
Years49
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
6Austria6
7Finland7
8Netherlands8
9Belgium9
10Slovenia10
11Switzerland11
12New Zealand12
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
50
Pos.2015
Score50
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
17=Norway1513
17=Denmark1513
19Poland1511
20Belgium1508
21=Vietnam1507
21=Australia1507
23UK1499
24Portugal1491
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
51
Pos.2018
%51
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
10=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better52
Pos.200652
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
18=Finland99
18=Estonia99
18=Sweden99
18=Belgium99
18=Canada99
23Andorra98
24=Czechia98
24=Spain98
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
53
Pos.201653
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
19New Zealand89%
20=USA89%
20=Canada89%
20=Belgium89%
23Czechia88%
24Germany88%
25Aruba88%
26Switzerland87%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
54
Pos.2017
Ratio54
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
6Luxembourg32.4
7India26.8
8Portugal26.6
9Ireland26.1
10UK24.7
11Japan22.1
12France18.8
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Belgium has an excellent long-term record on keeping corruption low.

World Giving Index
Higher is better
55
Pos.2022
%55
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
118Portugal26.0
119Lebanon24.0
120Egypt23.0
121S. Korea22.0
122=Afghanistan21.0
122=Belgium21.0
124Japan20.0
125Cambodia19.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
56
Pos.2022
Points56
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
17Canada74.0
18UK73.0
19=Japan73.0
19=Belgium73.0
21France72.0
22Austria71.0
23Seychelles70.0
24USA69.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
57
Pos.2018
Score57
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
13Costa Rica7.1
14Ireland7.0
15Germany7.0
16Belgium6.9
17Luxembourg6.9
18USA6.9
19UK6.8
20UAE6.8
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
58
Pos.2023
Score58
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
17Bhutan1.50
18Hungary1.51
19Malaysia1.51
20Belgium1.52
21Qatar1.52
22Australia1.53
23Mauritius1.55
24Norway1.55
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
106Mozambique106
107Poland107
108Ukraine108
109Belgium109
110Panama110
111Equatorial Guinea111
112Botswana112
113Slovakia113
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
13Belgium13
14Italy14
15Spain15
16France16
17Cyprus17
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
59
Pos.2019
Score59
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
95Sweden3.45
96Sri Lanka3.57
97Canada3.59
98Belgium3.64
99Angola3.78
100Tunisia3.94
101Tajikistan3.95
102Uganda3.96
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better60
Pos.201960
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
17Portugal3.50
18=Greece3.50
18=Switzerland3.50
20Belgium3.60
21=Estonia3.60
21=Montenegro3.60
21=Cyprus3.60
21=Denmark3.60
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better61
Pos.2017
%61
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
9Kazakhstan27.5
10=Norway27.5
11Algeria27.6
12Belgium27.7
13Iceland27.8
14=Denmark28.2
14=Netherlands28.2
16Serbia28.5
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)51
Pos.Lower is better
%51
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
10=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)62
Pos.Higher is better
%62
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
6Denmark48
7France44
8Belgium43
9=Netherlands42
9=Germany42
9=UK42
12Cuba40
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below63:

Christian64.2%
Muslim5.9%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.2%
Folk Religion0.2%
Jewish0.3%
Unaffiliated29%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 70.4% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (43%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 70.9% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 11% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%64.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Belgium65. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 4%. More people don't know what to believe (33%). Even more people believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (35%). Also, 1% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 8% believe in reincarnation.

In the second half of the 19th century Belgium began a period of secularism: the state endeavoured to create an atmosphere in which all citizens were treated equally no matter what religion they had (if any). "The radical liberals were able to implement a secularist policy with the help of an emerging socialist party. By law, they reduced the impact of the church in charitable work, in poor relief, and in allocating study grants. The cemeteries were laicized, and ultimately the state schools"66. This was possible because Belgium had embraced many early forms of human rights despite the embittered opposition of Catholic Christian organisations.

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