Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium)

Belgium Kingdom of Belgium
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	12th 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

1. Overview
2. Belgium National and Social Development
3. Belgium's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Belgium's Health
6. Belgium's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Belgium's Modernity and Learning
8. Belgium's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

#belgium #france #germany #luxembourg #netherlands

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg share a long cultural history, so much so, that they are identified collectively by the well-known contraction, 'Benelux'₉.

“Belgium is not a country with high ambitions of playing a key role in world politics. It is far too small for that. [...] World politics is thus something that happens in Belgium, not something that Belgium can make happen.”

"The Politics of Belgium" by Kris Deschouwer (2012)₁₀

“The Belgians would be very happy indeed if all the world knew them to be good-natured, tolerant, individualistic, self-assertive, modest, moderate, and the embodiment of European ideals. This is a long-term project. Meanwhile being placed somewhere on the map of Europe will do.”

"Xenophobe's Guide to the Belgians" (2012)₁₁

“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)₁₂

“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.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₃

2. Belgium National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)14
Pos.		Higher is better Value14
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)14
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $14
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 Index15
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank15
1	Denmark	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
9	Germany	37.6
10	Ireland	37.8
11	Australia	38.5
12	Belgium	39.4
13	UK	41.4
14	Luxembourg	41.4
15	Iceland	41.4
16	Canada	41.8
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

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

#belgium #birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

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 1.53. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₆

Belgium's aging population is creating problems for state finances, especially pensions₁₇. The only sensible solution is to ensure that migrant workers can continue to work easily in the country; luckily, Belgium is a natural at this endeavour.

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 better14
Pos.		2021 Years14
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 best18
Pos.		202218
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
80	Chile	1.54
81	Fiji	2.46
82=	Croatia	1.53
82=	Belgium	1.53
84	Costa Rica	1.52
85=	Sweden	1.52
85=	Hungary	1.52
87	St Kitts & Nevis	1.51
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better19
Pos.		2016 Per 10019
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.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants20
Pos.		2017 %20
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.

Emigrants21
Pos.		2010 %21
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.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)22
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank22
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
9	Australia	16.0
10	Luxembourg	16.2
11	Finland	17.4
12	Belgium	18.4
13	Germany	21.0
14	UK	22.2
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Belgium leads the world, setting excellent examples. Belgium performs the best when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought₂₃. It does the second-best in terms of LGBT equality₂₄. It comes in the best 20 in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₅, opposing gender inequality₂₆, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₈ and in supporting press freedom₂₉. And finally, it does better than average in eliminating modern slavery₃₀ and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₃₁. Human Rights Watch specifically states that Belgium's support of women's rights has been exemplary₃₂.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Belgium

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 (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
11	Denmark	47.2
12	Switzerland	48.5
13	Netherlands	50.2
14	Belgium	50.7
15	Ireland	53.2
16	UK	54.0
17	Luxembourg	54.6
18	Andorra	55.9
19	Italy	56.2
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=52.

Health (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
18	Curaço	49.7
19	Aruba	49.9
20	Netherlands	50.2
21	Belgium	50.7
22	New Zealand	51.2
23	US Virgin Islands	51.9
24	N. Korea	52.9
25	Ireland	53.2
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₄.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on 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, Europe and The Balkans₃₄, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₄.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Belgium does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Belgium comes in the best 20 in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, its immunizations take-up₃₆ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₇. It does better than average when it comes to its average life expectancy₁₄ and in its fertility rate₁₈. But, things still need to improve in Belgium. Belgium falls into the worst 20 for its suicide rate₃₈, its smoking rate₃₉ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₀. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over 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. Belgium has had a long-term consistent fertility rate, and is one of only 22 countries to vary by less than 1.0 each decade since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.71 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better14
Pos.		2021 Years14
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 better40
Pos.		2016 Per Capita40
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 best18
Pos.		202218
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
80	Chile	1.54
81	Fiji	2.46
82=	Croatia	1.53
82=	Belgium	1.53
84	Costa Rica	1.52
85=	Sweden	1.52
85=	Hungary	1.52
87	St Kitts & Nevis	1.51
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better39
Pos.		201439
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 Rate38
Pos.		2013 Per 100k38
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better41
Pos.		2016 %41
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 better37
Pos.		2022 Per 100037
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
16	Luxembourg	4.2
17	Slovenia	4.4
18	Iceland	5.1
19	Belgium	5.1
20	Austria	5.2
21	Kuwait	5.3
22	Ireland	5.9
23	Andorra	5.9
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better36
Pos.		2015 Avg %36
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.

6. Belgium's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#belgium #biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
19	Romania	73.8
20	UK	74.4
21	Turkey	75.0
22	Belgium	75.3
23	Bulgaria	75.8
24	Latvia	77.7
25	Slovakia	80.8
26	Poland	81.0
27	Slovenia	82.1
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
71	UK	74.4
72	Turkey	75.0
73	China	75.2
74	Belgium	75.3
75	Cape Verde	75.6
76	Afghanistan	75.7
77	New Zealand	75.8
78	Bulgaria	75.8
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Belgium is positioned 74th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Belgium comes in the best 20 in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₃ and in its environmental performance₄₄. It does better than average in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅. But, things could still be better. Belgium does worse than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇ (still low for Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₈.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better45
Pos.		Total45
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
58	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.6%
59	Djibouti	3.6%
60	Tajikistan	3.4%
61	Belgium	3.3%
62	Croatia	2.9%
63	Netherlands	2.8%
64	UAE	2.5%
65	Albania	2.5%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better44
Pos.		201844
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 Lower is better48
Pos.		2022 Avg48
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
118	Armenia	1.42
119	Finland	1.44
120	Qatar	1.46
121	Belgium	1.49
122	Panama	1.49
123	Uzbekistan	1.52
124	Malaysia	1.53
125	Vietnam	1.55
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
54	New Zealand	66%
55	Spain	66%
56	Guatemala	66%
57	Belgium	66%
58	Papua New Guinea	66%
59	Italy	66%
60	Morocco	66%
61	Congo, DR	65%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Belgium was amongst the first batch of countries who signed the Montreal Protocol on protecting the Ozone layer in 1988 whilst most others delayed until subsequent years.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better46
Pos.		2011 %46
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 better47
Pos.		2021 kg47
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.₄₇

Green Future Index Higher is better43
Pos.		2023 Score43
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.

7. Belgium's Modernity and Learning

#australia #belgium #capitalism #charity #corruption #democracy #economics #education #english #extremism #finland #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #NATO #norway #peace #politics #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #science #secularisation #social_development #sweden #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	Sweden	15.8
6	Germany	16.3
7	Switzerland	17.4
8	Estonia	17.9
9	Norway	18.3
10	UK	19.4
11	Netherlands	19.5
12	Ireland	19.8
13	Austria	19.9
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	New Zealand	15.2
6	Sweden	15.8
7	Germany	16.3
8	Australia	16.6
9	Switzerland	17.4
10	Estonia	17.9
11	Norway	18.3
12	UK	19.4
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₅₀. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₀. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₁.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₂

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₀, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₀.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

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.₅₃

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2954
2	Israel	4.1154
3	Japan	3.5854
	...
9	Switzerland	2.9655
10	Germany	2.8454
11	USA	2.7456
12	Belgium	2.4654
13	Slovenia	2.3954
14	France	2.2654
15	Australia	2.2557
16=	Singapore	2.0056
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better58
Pos.		201858
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 better59
Pos.		2021 Years59
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better60
Pos.		2015 Score60
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 better61
Pos.		2018 %61
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 better62
Pos.		200662
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 better63
Pos.		201663
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 better64
Pos.		2017 Ratio64
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.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better65
Pos.		202465
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
16	Romania	67.8%
17	USA	67.5%
18	Bulgaria	66.3%
19	Belgium	66.1%
20=	Poland	66.0%
20=	S. Korea	66.0%
22	Ireland	65.9%
23	Israel	65.4%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

Surfshark's 2024 analysis found Belgium to have the highest level of internet safety (cybersecurity)₆₆.

8. Belgium's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#belgium #capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #democracy #economics #equality #extremism #finland #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #NATO #norway #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #sweden #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)67
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank67
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
9	Ireland	22.8
10	Germany	24.4
11	Luxembourg	25.7
12	Belgium	31.3
13	UK	31.8
14	Slovenia	32.6
15	Malta	36.8
16	Czechia	38.9
17	Hungary	41.1
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)67
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank67
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
13	Germany	24.4
14	Luxembourg	25.7
15	Australia	29.4
16	Belgium	31.3
17	UK	31.8
18	Slovenia	32.6
19	Malta	36.8
20	Taiwan	37.2
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

World Giving Index Higher is better68
Pos.		2022 %68
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.

The World Giving Index is produced annually by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It produces statistical counts of individual charitable acts in three categories: the helping of strangers, donations to charity and volunteer work. The system is biased towards grassroots-charitability and because of this, it is not wise to draw moral conclusions from the data. Some countries have a top-down approach to social aid. For example, in highly socialist countries such as Finland, Norway and Sweden, including Belgium, the government itself is paid by citizens (through very high taxes) to engage in a lot of social work. Therefore, there is a culture in which individuals feel they already contribute to charity through a centralized and well-funded charitable social safety net: but this kind of contribution isn't reflected in the WGI. Some of those countries do score highest in measurements of how much aid is given to developing countries. Conversely, some of the lowest-ranking countries are clearly suffering from extreme poverty, and may lack the infrastructure that lets people volunteer time or give to charity.

For more, see:

• "Charity Across the World" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

Corruption Higher is better69
Pos.		2022 Points69
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.

Belgium has an excellent long-term record on keeping corruption low, and the government takes active steps when issues arise; for example, when the defence contractor Augusta₇₀ paid money to two parties as a result of getting a contract, the rules for party funding were tightened and several ministers resigned - one of them was also forced to resign from his post as Secretary General of NATO₇₁. Now, the majority of party funding must come directly from the state through a central system based on previous electoral votes₇₁. This severely limits the ability of rich individual power-mongers or corporations to interfere in politics.

Happiness Higher is better72
Pos.		2024 Score72
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
13	Switzerland	6.9
14	Belgium	6.9
15	Ireland	6.9
16	Lithuania	6.8
17	Austria	6.8
18	Canada	6.8
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better73
Pos.		2023 Score73
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better74
Pos.		2019 Score74
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.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better75
Pos.		201975
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 better76
Pos.		2023 %76
1	Slovakia	24.1%77
2	Slovenia	24.3%77
3	Belarus	24.4%78
	...
10=	UAE	26.4%79
11	Syria	26.6%80
12=	Azerbaijan	26.6%81
12=	Belgium	26.6%77
14	Tonga	27.1%77
15	Algeria	27.6%82
16=	Finland	27.7%77
16=	Norway	27.7%83
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Belgium had the 8th-lowest income inequality in the 1980s and 1990s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)61
Pos.		Lower is better %61
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)84
Pos.		Higher is better %84
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 below₈₅:

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:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%₈₆.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Belgium₈₇. 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"₈₈. This was possible because Belgium had embraced many early forms of human rights despite the embittered opposition of Catholic Christian organisations.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?