http://www.humantruth.info/belgium.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2013
Belgium Kingdom of Belgium | |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 14th best |
Capital | Brussels |
Land Area | 30 280km21 |
Location | Europe |
Population | 11.5m2 |
Life Expectancy | 81.88yrs (2017)3 |
GNI | $52 293 (2017)4 |
ISO3166-1 Codes | BE, BEL, 565 |
Internet Domain | .be6 |
Currency | Euro (EUR)7 |
Telephone | +328 |
“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
“Fabulously 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.”
#economics #human_development #wealth
UN HDI (2021)11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Value11 | |
1 | Switzerland | 0.962 |
2 | Norway | 0.961 |
3 | Iceland | 0.959 |
... | ||
10 | Netherlands | 0.941 |
11 | Finland | 0.940 |
12 | Singapore | 0.939 |
13= | Belgium | 0.937 |
13= | New Zealand | 0.937 |
15 | Canada | 0.936 |
16 | Liechtenstein | 0.935 |
17 | Luxembourg | 0.930 |
Europe Avg | 0.87 | |
World Avg | 0.72 | |
q=191. |
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better PPP $11 | |
1 | Liechtenstein | $146 830 |
2 | Singapore | $90 919 |
3 | Qatar | $87 134 |
... | ||
17 | Austria | $53 619 |
18 | Kuwait | $52 920 |
19 | San Marino | $52 654 |
20 | Belgium | $52 293 |
21 | Andorra | $51 167 |
22 | Finland | $49 452 |
23 | Australia | $49 238 |
24 | Canada | $46 808 |
Europe Avg | $40 512 | |
World Avg | $20 136 | |
q=193. |
Social & Moral Development Index12 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank12 | |
1 | Norway | 28.6 |
2 | Denmark | 30.0 |
3 | Sweden | 30.7 |
... | ||
11 | Australia | 38.2 |
12 | Austria | 38.6 |
13 | UK | 39.0 |
14 | Belgium | 40.1 |
15 | Ireland | 40.2 |
16 | Japan | 40.5 |
17 | France | 43.2 |
18 | Luxembourg | 43.3 |
Europe Avg | 57.4 | |
World Avg | 86.8 | |
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.
#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 | |
1 | China | 1.4b |
2 | India | 1.4b |
3 | USA | 327.1m |
... | ||
75 | Rwanda | 12.3m |
76 | Tunisia | 11.6m |
77 | Benin | 11.5m |
78 | Belgium | 11.5m |
79 | Bolivia | 11.4m |
80 | Cuba | 11.3m |
81 | Burundi | 11.2m |
82 | Haiti | 11.1m |
World Avg | 39.0m | |
q=195. |
Life Expectancy Higher is better11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
19 | Israel | 82.3 |
20 | Finland | 82.0 |
21 | Ireland | 82.0 |
22 | Belgium | 81.9 |
23 | Netherlands | 81.7 |
24 | Austria | 81.6 |
25 | Denmark | 81.4 |
26 | Cyprus | 81.2 |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best13 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201313 | |
1 | N. Korea | 2.00 |
2 | Brunei | 1.99 |
3 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 2.01 |
... | ||
22 | Azerbaijan | 2.16 |
23 | Chile | 1.84 |
24 | Bangladesh | 2.16 |
25 | Belgium | 1.83 |
26 | Algeria | 2.17 |
27 | Oman | 2.17 |
28 | Argentina | 2.18 |
29 | El Salvador | 2.18 |
World Avg | 2.81 | |
q=180. |
Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per 10014 | |
1 | Uganda | 04.3 |
2 | Mali | 04.5 |
3= | Chad | 04.7 |
... | ||
166 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 37.3 |
167 | S. Korea | 37.6 |
168 | Estonia | 37.9 |
169 | Belgium | 38.1 |
170 | Switzerland | 38.3 |
171 | Canada | 38.5 |
172 | Croatia | 39.7 |
173 | Malta | 39.9 |
World Avg | 18.3 | |
q=185. |
Migration:
Immigrants15 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 %15 | |
1 | UAE | 88.4% |
2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
... | ||
53 | Belarus | 11.4% |
54 | Montenegro | 11.3% |
55 | Ukraine | 11.2% |
56 | Belgium | 11.1% |
57 | Greece | 10.9% |
58 | Malta | 10.6% |
59 | Italy | 10.0% |
60 | Gambia | 9.8% |
World Avg | 9.4% | |
q=195. |
Emigrants16 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2010 %16 | |
1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
... | ||
120 | Egypt | 4.4% |
121 | Germany | 4.3% |
122 | S. Korea | 4.3% |
123 | Belgium | 4.2% |
124 | Syria | 4.2% |
125 | Burundi | 4.2% |
126 | Panama | 4.0% |
127 | Norway | 3.8% |
World Avg | 11.5% | |
q=192. |
#Belgium #equality #freedom #freethought #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank17 | |
1 | Sweden | 9.0 |
2 | Norway | 14.5 |
3 | Denmark | 14.5 |
... | ||
12 | Hong Kong | 24.3 |
13 | France | 24.7 |
14 | Germany | 24.8 |
15 | Belgium | 25.9 |
16 | Uruguay | 26.5 |
17 | UK | 26.6 |
Europe Avg | 51.4 | |
World Avg | 87.9 | |
q=199. |
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#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 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Norway | 61.0 |
3= | Finland | 65.3 |
... | ||
13 | Iceland | 76.9 |
14= | Netherlands | 77.0 |
15 | Greece | 77.4 |
16 | Belgium | 77.9 |
17 | Armenia | 78.4 |
18 | Cyprus | 78.6 |
19 | Malta | 78.9 |
20 | Slovenia | 79.9 |
21 | Hungary | 80.9 |
Europe Avg | 82.5 | |
q=46. |
Health (2020)28 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank28 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Hong Kong | 18.3 |
3 | Maldives | 41.0 |
... | ||
38= | Eritrea | 77.0 |
39 | Bahrain | 77.3 |
40 | Greece | 77.4 |
41 | Belgium | 77.9 |
42 | Armenia | 78.4 |
43 | Cyprus | 78.6 |
44 | Malta | 78.9 |
45 | Myanmar (Burma) | 79.1 |
World Avg | 93.5 | |
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 better11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
19 | Israel | 82.3 |
20 | Finland | 82.0 |
21 | Ireland | 82.0 |
22 | Belgium | 81.9 |
23 | Netherlands | 81.7 |
24 | Austria | 81.6 |
25 | Denmark | 81.4 |
26 | Cyprus | 81.2 |
Europe Avg | 78.36 | |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per Capita34 | |
1 | Bangladesh | 0.0 |
2 | Kuwait | 0.0 |
3 | Libya | 0.0 |
... | ||
173= | Poland | 11.6 |
174 | Russia | 11.7 |
175 | Seychelles | 12.0 |
176 | Belgium | 12.1 |
177 | Portugal | 12.3 |
178= | Slovenia | 12.6 |
178= | France | 12.6 |
180 | Romania | 12.7 |
Europe Avg | 10.3 | |
World Avg | 6.2 | |
q=189. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best13 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201313 | |
1 | N. Korea | 2.00 |
2 | Brunei | 1.99 |
3 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 2.01 |
... | ||
22 | Azerbaijan | 2.16 |
23 | Chile | 1.84 |
24 | Bangladesh | 2.16 |
25 | Belgium | 1.83 |
26 | Algeria | 2.17 |
27 | Oman | 2.17 |
28 | Argentina | 2.18 |
29 | El Salvador | 2.18 |
Europe Avg | 1.61 | |
World Avg | 2.81 | |
q=180. |
Smoking Rates Lower is better33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201433 | |
1 | Guinea | 15 |
2 | Solomon Islands | 26 |
3 | Kiribati | 28 |
... | ||
173 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2 233 |
174 | China | 2 250 |
175 | Luxembourg | 2 284 |
176 | Belgium | 2 353 |
177 | Slovenia | 2 637 |
178 | Russia | 2 690 |
179 | Macedonia | 2 732 |
180 | Lebanon | 3 023 |
Europe Avg | 1 648 | |
World Avg | 819 | |
q=182. |
Suicide Rate32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2013 Per 100k32 | |
1 | Haiti | 0 |
2 | Grenada | 0 |
3 | Egypt | 0.1 |
... | ||
77 | Estonia | 37.9 |
78 | Serbia | 38.1 |
79 | Finland | 39 |
80 | Belgium | 39.1 |
81 | Slovenia | 44 |
82 | Ukraine | 44.8 |
83 | Latvia | 48.2 |
84 | Japan | 49.4 |
Europe Avg | 26.99 | |
World Avg | 20.93 | |
q=91. |
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Sweden | 1 |
2 | Ireland | 2 |
3 | Denmark | 3 |
... | ||
13 | Australia | 13 |
14 | UAE | 14 |
15 | Saudi Arabia | 15 |
16 | Belgium | 16 |
17 | New Zealand | 17 |
18 | Jordan | 18 |
19 | S. Korea | 19 |
20 | Kuwait | 20 |
Europe Avg | 47.4 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Overweight Adults Lower is better35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 %35 | |
1 | Vietnam | 18.3 |
2 | India | 19.7 |
3 | Bangladesh | 20.0 |
... | ||
134= | Montenegro | 59.4 |
134= | Belarus | 59.4 |
136 | France | 59.5 |
137= | Belgium | 59.5 |
138 | Lithuania | 59.6 |
139= | Croatia | 59.6 |
140 | El Salvador | 59.9 |
141 | Dominica | 60.3 |
Europe Avg | 58.5 | |
World Avg | 49.0 | |
q=191. |
Children's Health:
Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better21 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Per 100021 | |
1 | N. Korea | 0.5 |
2 | S. Korea | 1.6 |
3 | Switzerland | 2.9 |
... | ||
22 | China | 7.3 |
23 | Greece | 7.5 |
24 | Oman | 8.1 |
25 | Belgium | 8.2 |
26 | Spain | 8.4 |
27 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 8.6 |
28 | Saudi Arabia | 8.8 |
29 | France | 8.9 |
Europe Avg | 14.6 | |
World Avg | 47.9 | |
q=185. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better31 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Avg %31 | |
1= | Hungary | 99.0 |
1= | China | 99.0 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
... | ||
16= | Oman | 98.0 |
17 | Antigua & Barbuda | 98.0 |
18 | Cuba | 97.9 |
19 | Belgium | 97.8 |
20 | Thailand | 97.8 |
21= | Mauritius | 97.6 |
21= | Fiji | 97.6 |
23 | Kuwait | 97.5 |
Europe Avg | 92.7 | |
World Avg | 88.3 | |
q=194. |
#biodiversity #climate_change #energy #food #meat #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism
Compared to Europe (2023)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank36 | |
1 | Greece | 50.4 |
2 | Italy | 51.8 |
3 | Germany | 55.8 |
... | ||
24 | Cyprus | 79.3 |
25 | Albania | 79.8 |
26 | Belarus | 81.5 |
27 | Belgium | 82.2 |
28 | Ireland | 82.4 |
29 | Ukraine | 83.2 |
30= | Malta | 83.5 |
31 | Slovenia | 85.5 |
32 | Turkey | 92.2 |
Europe Avg | 79.9 | |
q=43. |
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank36 | |
1 | Japan | 33.2 |
2 | Philippines | 45.0 |
3 | Uruguay | 48.0 |
... | ||
83 | Belarus | 81.5 |
84= | Gambia | 82.0 |
84= | Cameroon | 82.0 |
86 | Belgium | 82.2 |
87 | Djibouti | 82.3 |
88 | Ireland | 82.4 |
89 | Iran | 82.6 |
90 | Ukraine | 83.2 |
World Avg | 85.7 | |
q=188. |
Environmental Performance Higher is better38 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201838 | |
1 | Switzerland | 87.4 |
2 | France | 84.0 |
3 | Denmark | 81.6 |
... | ||
12 | Spain | 78.4 |
13 | Germany | 78.4 |
14 | Norway | 77.5 |
15 | Belgium | 77.4 |
16 | Italy | 77.0 |
17 | New Zealand | 76.0 |
18 | Netherlands | 75.5 |
19 | Israel | 75.0 |
Europe Avg | 69.6 | |
World Avg | 56.4 | |
q=180. |
Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201439 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 26.32 |
2 | Sri Lanka | 20.00 |
3 | Panama | 17.86 |
... | ||
60= | Jordan | 09.09 |
61 | Slovenia | 08.85 |
62 | Sweden | 08.62 |
63= | Belgium | 08.47 |
63= | Guatemala | 08.47 |
65 | India | 08.40 |
66 | Cameroon | 08.33 |
67 | Australia | 08.20 |
Europe Avg | 09.80 | |
World Avg | 09.29 | |
q=119. |
Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 0 Signed | |
1= | China | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Guinea | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Cook Islands | 1993 Dec 29 |
... | ||
162 | Laos | 1996 Dec 19 |
163 | Haiti | 1996 Dec 24 |
164 | Croatia | 1997 Jan 05 |
165 | Belgium | 1997 Feb 20 |
166 | Dominican Rep. | 1997 Feb 23 |
167 | Turkey | 1997 May 15 |
168 | Gabon | 1997 Jun 12 |
169 | Burundi | 1997 Jul 14 |
Europe Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
World Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
q=197. |
Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better40 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2011 %40 | |
1 | Argentina | 78.3% |
2 | Greece | 77.6% |
3 | Brazil | 77.1% |
... | ||
100 | Israel | 27.6% |
101 | Palestine | 27.5% |
102 | Saudi Arabia | 27.2% |
103 | Belgium | 26.9% |
104 | Syria | 26.6% |
105 | Qatar | 26.5% |
106 | Bahrain | 26.3% |
107 | S. Africa | 26.2% |
Europe Avg | 33.6% | |
World Avg | 39.9% | |
q=145. |
Meat Consumption Lower is better41 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 kg41 | |
1 | Congo, DR | 03.0 |
2 | Burundi | 03.5 |
3 | Bangladesh | 04.3 |
... | ||
115 | China | 63.6 |
116 | Netherlands | 63.8 |
117 | Malaysia | 65.3 |
118 | Belgium | 66.2 |
119 | Gabon | 66.3 |
120 | Sweden | 66.9 |
121 | Romania | 67.1 |
122 | Malta | 67.8 |
Europe Avg | 71.1 | |
World Avg | 52.5 | |
q=185. |
In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Belgium was reducing.41
Green Future Index Higher is better37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score37 | |
1 | Iceland | 6.7 |
2 | Finland | 6.7 |
3 | Norway | 6.4 |
... | ||
9 | France | 6.0 |
10= | Spain | 5.9 |
10= | Germany | 5.9 |
12 | Belgium | 5.8 |
13 | Italy | 5.7 |
14= | Ireland | 5.7 |
14= | Canada | 5.7 |
16 | Luxembourg | 5.6 |
Europe Avg | 5.6 | |
World Avg | 4.8 | |
q=76. |
#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet
Compared to Europe (2020)42 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank42 | |
1 | Finland | 8.4 |
2 | Switzerland | 15.1 |
3 | Estonia | 15.8 |
4 | Denmark | 16.0 |
5 | Belgium | 16.1 |
6 | Czechia | 16.7 |
7 | Sweden | 18.6 |
8 | Germany | 18.6 |
9 | Iceland | 19.6 |
10 | Austria | 19.6 |
11 | Norway | 21.0 |
12 | Slovenia | 21.3 |
13 | UK | 21.5 |
Europe Avg | 41.2 | |
q=49. |
Modernity & Learning (2020)42 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank42 | |
1 | Finland | 8.4 |
2 | Taiwan | 10.0 |
3 | Switzerland | 15.1 |
4 | Estonia | 15.8 |
5 | Denmark | 16.0 |
6 | Belgium | 16.1 |
7 | Czechia | 16.7 |
8 | New Zealand | 17.6 |
9 | Sweden | 18.6 |
10 | Germany | 18.6 |
11 | Australia | 19.2 |
12 | Iceland | 19.6 |
World Avg | 83.2 | |
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 | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2944 |
2 | Israel | 4.1144 |
3 | Japan | 3.5844 |
... | ||
9 | Switzerland | 2.9645 |
10 | Germany | 2.8444 |
11 | USA | 2.7446 |
12 | Belgium | 2.4644 |
13 | Slovenia | 2.3944 |
14 | France | 2.2644 |
15 | Australia | 2.2547 |
16= | Singapore | 2.0046 |
Europe Avg | 1.32 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education Higher is better48 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201848 | |
1= | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
1= | Estonia | 100.0% |
1= | Austria | 100.0% |
... | ||
49 | Netherlands | 88.3% |
50 | Cuba | 87.4% |
51 | Poland | 85.3% |
52 | Belgium | 84.8% |
53 | UK | 84.5% |
54 | Jordan | 84.0% |
55 | France | 83.5% |
56 | Sri Lanka | 82.8% |
Europe Avg | 88.3% | |
World Avg | 63.0% | |
q=169. |
Length of Schooling Higher is better49 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years49 | |
1 | Australia | 21.1 |
2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
3 | Greece | 20.0 |
4 | Belgium | 19.6 |
5 | Sweden | 19.4 |
6 | Iceland | 19.2 |
7 | Finland | 19.1 |
8 | Ireland | 18.9 |
9 | Denmark | 18.7 |
10 | Netherlands | 18.7 |
11 | Grenada | 18.7 |
12 | Turkey | 18.3 |
Europe Avg | 16.1 | |
World Avg | 13.5 | |
q=193. |
Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Ukraine | 1 |
2 | Czechia | 2 |
3 | Hungary | 3 |
4 | Denmark | 4 |
5 | UK | 5 |
6 | Austria | 6 |
7 | Finland | 7 |
8 | Netherlands | 8 |
9 | Belgium | 9 |
10 | Slovenia | 10 |
11 | Switzerland | 11 |
12 | New Zealand | 12 |
Europe Avg | 31.3 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better50 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Score50 | |
1 | Singapore | 1655 |
2 | Hong Kong | 1598 |
3 | Japan | 1586 |
... | ||
17= | Norway | 1513 |
17= | Denmark | 1513 |
19 | Poland | 1511 |
20 | Belgium | 1508 |
21= | Vietnam | 1507 |
21= | Australia | 1507 |
23 | UK | 1499 |
24 | Portugal | 1491 |
Europe Avg | 1417 | |
World Avg | 1389 | |
q=70. |
Religiosity Lower is better51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 %51 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
... | ||
10= | Finland | 10 |
11 | Latvia | 11 |
12= | France | 11 |
12= | Belgium | 11 |
14 | Austria | 12 |
15 | Hungary | 14 |
16 | Albania | 15 |
17= | Lithuania | 16 |
Europe Avg | 25.8 | |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
IQ Higher is better52 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 200652 | |
1= | Hong Kong | 108 |
1= | Singapore | 108 |
3 | S. Korea | 106 |
... | ||
18= | Finland | 99 |
18= | Estonia | 99 |
18= | Sweden | 99 |
18= | Belgium | 99 |
18= | Canada | 99 |
23 | Andorra | 98 |
24= | Czechia | 98 |
24= | Spain | 98 |
Europe Avg | 96.6 | |
World Avg | 85.6 | |
q=138. |
Technology and Information:
Internet Users Higher is better53 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201653 | |
1 | Iceland | 100% |
2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
3 | Norway | 98% |
... | ||
19 | New Zealand | 89% |
20= | USA | 89% |
20= | Canada | 89% |
20= | Belgium | 89% |
23 | Czechia | 88% |
24 | Germany | 88% |
25 | Aruba | 88% |
26 | Switzerland | 87% |
Europe Avg | 76.7% | |
World Avg | 48.1% | |
q=201. |
IPv6 Uptake Higher is better54 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Ratio54 | |
1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
2 | Germany | 41.8 |
3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
4 | USA | 35.0 |
5 | Greece | 33.5 |
6 | Luxembourg | 32.4 |
7 | India | 26.8 |
8 | Portugal | 26.6 |
9 | Ireland | 26.1 |
10 | UK | 24.7 |
11 | Japan | 22.1 |
12 | France | 18.8 |
Europe Avg | 8.11 | |
World Avg | 3.82 | |
q=176. |
#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics
Belgium has an excellent long-term record on keeping corruption low.World Giving Index Higher is better55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %55 | |
1 | Indonesia | 68.0 |
2 | Kenya | 61.0 |
3 | USA | 59.0 |
... | ||
118 | Portugal | 26.0 |
119 | Lebanon | 24.0 |
120 | Egypt | 23.0 |
121 | S. Korea | 22.0 |
122= | Afghanistan | 21.0 |
122= | Belgium | 21.0 |
124 | Japan | 20.0 |
125 | Cambodia | 19.0 |
Europe Avg | 39.0 | |
World Avg | 39.6 | |
q=125. |
Corruption Higher is better56 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Points56 | |
1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
2= | Finland | 87.0 |
2= | New Zealand | 87.0 |
... | ||
17 | Canada | 74.0 |
18 | UK | 73.0 |
19= | Japan | 73.0 |
19= | Belgium | 73.0 |
21 | France | 72.0 |
22 | Austria | 71.0 |
23 | Seychelles | 70.0 |
24 | USA | 69.0 |
Europe Avg | 57.61 | |
World Avg | 42.98 | |
q=180. |
Happiness Higher is better57 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Score57 | |
1 | Finland | 7.6 |
2 | Norway | 7.6 |
3 | Denmark | 7.6 |
... | ||
13 | Costa Rica | 7.1 |
14 | Ireland | 7.0 |
15 | Germany | 7.0 |
16 | Belgium | 6.9 |
17 | Luxembourg | 6.9 |
18 | USA | 6.9 |
19 | UK | 6.8 |
20 | UAE | 6.8 |
Europe Avg | 6.06 | |
World Avg | 5.38 | |
q=156. |
Creativity & Culture Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Belgium | 1 |
2 | Netherlands | 2 |
3 | Estonia | 3 |
4 | Switzerland | 4 |
5 | Sweden | 5 |
6 | Denmark | 6 |
7 | Austria | 7 |
8 | Ireland | 8 |
9 | Czechia | 9 |
10 | Luxembourg | 10 |
11 | UK | 11 |
12 | Portugal | 12 |
Europe Avg | 35.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Ireland | 1 |
2 | Denmark | 2 |
3 | Sweden | 3 |
4 | Netherlands | 4 |
5 | Switzerland | 5 |
6 | Serbia | 6 |
7 | Belgium | 7 |
8 | Norway | 8 |
9 | Finland | 9 |
10 | Croatia | 10 |
11 | Georgia | 11 |
12 | Philippines | 12 |
Europe Avg | 42.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism
Global Peace Index Lower is better58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score58 | |
1 | Iceland | 1.12 |
2 | Denmark | 1.31 |
3 | Ireland | 1.31 |
... | ||
17 | Bhutan | 1.50 |
18 | Hungary | 1.51 |
19 | Malaysia | 1.51 |
20 | Belgium | 1.52 |
21 | Qatar | 1.52 |
22 | Australia | 1.53 |
23 | Mauritius | 1.55 |
24 | Norway | 1.55 |
Europe Avg | 1.70 | |
World Avg | 2.07 | |
q=163. |
Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Samoa | 1 |
2 | S. Africa | 2 |
3 | Tunisia | 3 |
... | ||
106 | Mozambique | 106 |
107 | Poland | 107 |
108 | Ukraine | 108 |
109 | Belgium | 109 |
110 | Panama | 110 |
111 | Equatorial Guinea | 111 |
112 | Botswana | 112 |
113 | Slovakia | 113 |
Europe Avg | 84.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
1 | Austria | 1 |
2 | Germany | 2 |
3 | Netherlands | 3 |
... | ||
10 | Switzerland | 10 |
11 | Canada | 11 |
12 | UK | 12 |
13 | Belgium | 13 |
14 | Italy | 14 |
15 | Spain | 15 |
16 | France | 16 |
17 | Cyprus | 17 |
Europe Avg | 37.8 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Impact of Terrorism Lower is better59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2019 Score59 | |
1 | Togo | 0.00 |
2 | Mongolia | 0.00 |
3 | Swaziland | 0.00 |
... | ||
95 | Sweden | 3.45 |
96 | Sri Lanka | 3.57 |
97 | Canada | 3.59 |
98 | Belgium | 3.64 |
99 | Angola | 3.78 |
100 | Tunisia | 3.94 |
101 | Tajikistan | 3.95 |
102 | Uganda | 3.96 |
Europe Avg | 1.62 | |
World Avg | 2.78 | |
q=150. |
#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development
Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better60 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201960 | |
1 | Iceland | 2.40 |
2= | Singapore | 2.50 |
2= | Hong Kong | 2.50 |
... | ||
17 | Portugal | 3.50 |
18= | Greece | 3.50 |
18= | Switzerland | 3.50 |
20 | Belgium | 3.60 |
21= | Estonia | 3.60 |
21= | Montenegro | 3.60 |
21= | Cyprus | 3.60 |
21= | Denmark | 3.60 |
Europe Avg | 4.86 | |
World Avg | 14.59 | |
q=184. |
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better61 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 %61 | |
1 | Ukraine | 25.0 |
2= | Belarus | 25.4 |
2= | Slovenia | 25.4 |
... | ||
9 | Kazakhstan | 27.5 |
10= | Norway | 27.5 |
11 | Algeria | 27.6 |
12 | Belgium | 27.7 |
13 | Iceland | 27.8 |
14= | Denmark | 28.2 |
14= | Netherlands | 28.2 |
16 | Serbia | 28.5 |
Europe Avg | 31.5 | |
World Avg | 38.1 | |
q=152. |
#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism
Religiosity (2018)51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better %51 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
... | ||
10= | Finland | 10 |
11 | Latvia | 11 |
12= | France | 11 |
12= | Belgium | 11 |
14 | Austria | 12 |
15 | Hungary | 14 |
16 | Albania | 15 |
17= | Lithuania | 16 |
17= | S. Korea | 16 |
17= | Russia | 16 |
20 | Australia | 18 |
21= | Vietnam | 18 |
22 | Bulgaria | 19 |
23= | Norway | 19 |
24 | Netherlands | 20 |
25= | Italy | 21 |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
Disbelief In God (2007)62 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %62 | |
1 | Vietnam | 81 |
2 | Japan | 65 |
3 | Sweden | 64 |
4 | Czechia | 61 |
5 | Estonia | 49 |
6 | Denmark | 48 |
7 | France | 44 |
8 | Belgium | 43 |
9= | Netherlands | 42 |
9= | Germany | 42 |
9= | UK | 42 |
12 | Cuba | 40 |
13 | Slovenia | 35 |
14 | Bulgaria | 34 |
15 | Hungary | 32 |
16 | Norway | 31 |
17 | S. Korea | 30 |
18 | Finland | 28 |
19 | Russia | 27 |
20 | Australia | 25 |
World Avg | 9.9 | |
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:
Christian | 64.2% |
Muslim | 5.9% |
Hindu | 0.1% |
Buddhist | 0.2% |
Folk Religion | 0.2% |
Jewish | 0.3% |
Unaffiliated | 29% |
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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