Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Belgium Kingdom of Belgium
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	8th 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

#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	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
4	Netherlands	30.8
5	Switzerland	31.7
6	Finland	32.8
7	Luxembourg	36.6
8	Belgium	37.6
9	Iceland	38.0
10	Japan	38.4
11	Germany	38.7
12	France	39.4
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

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 Datasets:

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, once you take mortality into account₁₆. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₇

Belgium's aging population is creating problems for state finances, especially pensions₁₈. 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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₉
Pos.		2022₁₉
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₂₀
Pos.		2016 Per 100₂₀
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 Datasets:

Immigrants₂₁
Pos.		2017 %₂₁
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.

Emigrants₂₂
Pos.		2010 %₂₂
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)₂₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₃
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
4	Norway	9.1
5	Iceland	15.3
6	Canada	17.0
7	Finland	17.7
8	Luxembourg	18.1
9	Belgium	18.7
10	New Zealand	19.4
	Europe Avg	52.39
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Belgium leads the world, setting excellent examples. Belgium does the best when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought₂₄. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to combatting modern slavery₂₅, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₆, opposing gender inequality₂₇, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₈, LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₉ and in supporting press freedom₃₀. And finally, it does better than average 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

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)₃₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₃
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
10	Netherlands	50.0
11	Switzerland	51.5
12	Finland	52.3
13	Belgium	54.1
14	Italy	57.8
15	Slovenia	61.9
16	Portugal	62.1
17	Spain	62.5
18	Andorra	63.1
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)₃₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₃
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
13	Switzerland	51.5
14	Finland	52.3
15	S. Korea	53.7
16	Belgium	54.1
17	Brunei	54.8
18	Sri Lanka	56.4
19	Italy	57.8
20	Malaysia	59.6
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₄.

42 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, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₄, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₄.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #belgium #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

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 compliance₃₅, its adolescent birth rate₃₆ and in delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₇. It does better than average in its average life expectancy₁₄, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₈, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₉ and in its fertility rate₁₉. Belgium does not succeed in everything, however. Belgium does worse than average in its smoking rate₄₀ and in the prevalence of overweight adults₄₁. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 for its suicide rate₄₂ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₃. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. 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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₄₃
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 best₁₉
Pos.		2022₁₉
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %₄₀
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
119	Switzerland	25.6%
120	Portugal	25.7%
121	Maldives	26.4%
122	Belgium	26.8%
123	Madagascar	26.9%
124	Cook Islands	27.0%
125	Laos	27.2%
126	Kyrgyzstan	27.3%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₄₂
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₄₂
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
165	Mongolia	19.05
166	S. Africa	19.09
167	Uruguay	19.22
168	Belgium	19.45
169	Japan	19.89
170	Slovenia	20.27
171	Kiribati	20.28
172	Solomon Islands	20.62
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

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.		1976 %₄₁
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
167	Lithuania	42.6
168	New Zealand	42.7
169	Russia	43.8
170=	Belgium	43.9
170=	Estonia	43.9
172	Hungary	44.0
173	Latvia	44.1
174	Bahrain	44.9
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₄₄
Pos.		2022 %₄₄
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
85	Italy	21.6%
86	Solomon Islands	21.6%
87	Pakistan	21.8%
88	Belgium	22.0%
89	Morocco	22.1%
90	Slovenia	22.2%
91	Malaysia	22.4%
92	Iceland	22.6%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₆
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₉
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₃₉
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
27=	Bangladesh	98.0
27=	Maldives	98.0
27=	Turkey	98.0
30=	Belgium	97.9
30=	Bahrain	97.9
30=	S. Korea	97.9
30=	Albania	97.9
34	Montserrat	97.8
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₃₇
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₇
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.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₈
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
25=	Netherlands	4.14
25=	Greece	4.14
27=	France	4.17
27=	Belgium	4.17
29	Belarus	4.27
30	Switzerland	4.29
31	Montenegro	4.53
32	UK	4.62
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#Belgium #belgium_and_the_environment #Belgium_environment #climate_change #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₅
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
	Europe Avg	82.54
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Belgium comes 74th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is formulated from 21 data sets. Belgium comes in the best 20 in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₆ and in its environmental performance₄₇. It does better than average when it comes to its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₈. But, things could still be better. Belgium does worse than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₉, reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₀ (still good for Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₅₁.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Belgium's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Belgium's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)₅₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₂
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
4	Sweden	10.4
5	Norway	11.1
6	Switzerland	11.2
7	Belgium	11.4
8	Germany	12.8
9	Netherlands	13.1
10	Austria	14.0
11	Czechia	19.7
12	Luxembourg	20.8
13	France	21.1
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₅₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₂
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
4	Sweden	10.4
5	Norway	11.1
6	Switzerland	11.2
7	Belgium	11.4
8	Germany	12.8
9	Netherlands	13.1
10	Austria	14.0
11	New Zealand	18.2
12	Czechia	19.7
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

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, Iceland and Denmark₅₃. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₃. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₄.

“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)₅₅

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, 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 Europe₅₃, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₃.

For more, see:

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

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₆
2	Israel	4.11₅₆
3	Japan	3.58₅₆
	...
9	Switzerland	2.96₅₇
10	Germany	2.84₅₆
11	USA	2.74₅₈
12	Belgium	2.46₅₆
13	Slovenia	2.39₅₆
14	France	2.26₅₆
15	Australia	2.25₅₉
16=	Singapore	2.00₅₈
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

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.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2025 %₆₀
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
1=	Romania	100
1=	Finland	100
1=	San Marino	100
1=	Iceland	100
1=	Belgium	100
1=	Liechtenstein	100
1=	Austria	100
1=	France	100
1=	Australia	100
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Belgium officially adopted metric in 1820₆₁. Progression:

1960 (100%): Fully metric in law, commerce and daily life.
1970 (100%).
1980 (100%).
2000 (100%).
2025 (100%).

Religiosity Lower is better₆₂
Pos.		2018 %₆₂
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
10=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
11=	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 better₆₃
Pos.		2006₆₃
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
23=	Czechia	98
23=	Spain	98
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#australia #belgium #education #english #maths #science

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.₆₄

Secondary Education Higher is better₆₅
Pos.		2018₆₅
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 better₆₆
Pos.		2021 Years₆₆
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₆₇
Pos.		2015 Score₆₇
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.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#belgium #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
24	Hong Kong	94%
25	Andorra	94%
26	Bahamas	94%
27	Belgium	94%
28	Canada	94%
29	Netherlands	93%
30	Finland	93%
31	Austria	93%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₆₈
Pos.		2017 Ratio₆₈
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 better₆₉
Pos.		2024₆₉
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)₇₀.

8. Belgium's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)₇₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₇₁
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
9	Luxembourg	19.0
10	Ireland	20.2
11	Iceland	22.4
12	Belgium	24.2
13	UK	25.3
14	Slovenia	29.0
15	France	30.3
16	Malta	31.8
17	Czechia	36.5
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₇₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₇₁
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
12	Ireland	20.2
13	Canada	20.9
14	Iceland	22.4
15	Belgium	24.2
16	Australia	25.1
17	UK	25.3
18	Hong Kong	28.6
19	Slovenia	29.0
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

"Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#belgium #charity #corruption #democracy #finland #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #NATO #norway #politics #sweden

Corruption Higher is better₇₂
Pos.		2022 Points₇₂
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
17=	Canada	74.0
18=	UK	73.0
18=	Japan	73.0
18=	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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

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 Augusta₇₃ 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 NATO₇₄. Now, the majority of party funding must come directly from the state through a central system based on previous electoral votes₇₄. This severely limits the ability of rich individual power-mongers or corporations to interfere in politics.

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.

Happiness Higher is better₇₅
Pos.		2024 Score₇₅
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. Also scored for 2010s.

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.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₇₆
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₇₆
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
13=	Sweden	188.3
14	Ireland	188.2
15	Portugal	187.7
16	Belgium	187.2
17=	Norway	186.8
17=	Switzerland	186.8
17=	UK	186.8
20	New Zealand	186.7
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better₇₇
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score₇₇
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
14	Austria	8.59
15	UK	8.58
16	Norway	8.57
17	Belgium	8.51
18	Ireland	8.46
19	Taiwan	8.44
20	Canada	8.42
21	Portugal	8.42
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better₇₈
Pos.		2022 %₇₈
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. Also scored for 2010s.

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 (2025).

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better₇₉
Pos.		2023 Score₇₉
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. Also scored for 2010s.

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 better₈₀
Pos.		2019 Score₈₀
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.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#belgium #capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better₈₁
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %₈₁
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
4	Thailand	0.03%
5	Ukraine	0.03%
6	Czechia	0.03%
7	Kazakhstan	0.04%
8	Russia	0.04%
9	Belgium	0.06%
10	Netherlands	0.07%
11	France	0.08%
12	Moldova	0.09%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₈₂
Pos.		2019₈₂
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
17=	Portugal	3.50
17=	Greece	3.50
17=	Switzerland	3.50
20=	Belgium	3.60
20=	Estonia	3.60
20=	Montenegro	3.60
20=	Cyprus	3.60
20=	Denmark	3.60
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₈₃
Pos.		2023 %₈₃
1	Slovakia	24.1%₈₄
2	Slovenia	24.3%₈₄
3	Belarus	24.4%₈₅
	...
10=	UAE	26.4%₈₆
11=	Syria	26.6%₈₇
11=	Azerbaijan	26.6%₈₈
11=	Belgium	26.6%₈₄
14	Tonga	27.1%₈₄
15	Algeria	27.6%₈₉
16=	Finland	27.7%₈₄
16=	Norway	27.7%₉₀
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

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

From 2010 to 2020, 1 in 6 of Belgium's Christians stopped describing themselves as Christian (from 61% to 51%) and in the population as a whole, 7.0% fewer said they belonged to a religion.

Religiosity (2018)₆₂
Pos.		Lower is better %₆₂
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
10=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
11=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20=	Australia	18
20=	Vietnam	18
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)₉₁
Pos.		Higher is better %₉₁
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.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₉₂:

	2010	2020
Christian	61.1%	51%
Unaffiliated	32%	39%
Muslim	5.11%	6.81%
Other	1.23%	2.57%
Jewish	0.277%	0.251%
Hindu	0.118%	0.232%
Buddhist	0.145%	0.178%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 58% 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 61% 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%₉₃.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Belgium₉₄. 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"₉₅. 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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