Belgium: economy and key statistics
Belgium is number 22 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $725.5 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $60,750. The economy grew by 1.0% in 2025. Unemployment is 5.9%. The economy is 71% services, 19% industry, 1% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 64 R&D labs, 8 startups, 11 investors, 12 Titans.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Belgium is number 23 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 54.7 out of 100: economic 74, technology 45, military 38 and human capital 63.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $725.5 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $891.8 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $60,750 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +1.0% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.5% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | 2025 |
| Population | 11.9 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 5.5 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 71% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 19% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 11% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 1% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 75% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | -4.0% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 20% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 3.27% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 96% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Largest companies in Belgium
- Anheuser-Busch InBev (#123)
- Ageas (#325)
- KBC Group (#476)
- D'Ieteren Group (#630)
- UCB (#657)
- Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (#766)
- SYENSQO (#791)
- Ackermans & van Haaren (#792)
Startups in Belgium
Investors in Belgium
Main export industries
Belgium exported goods worth about $375.4bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Pharmaceutical products: $59.6bn (15.9% of goods exports)
- Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation: $43.6bn (11.6% of goods exports)
- Vehicles: $40.1bn (10.7% of goods exports)
- Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors: $25.3bn (6.7% of goods exports)
- Plastics and articles thereof: $19.7bn (5.3% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Europe
- Germany (#3)
- United Kingdom (#5)
- France (#7)
- Russia (#8)
- Italy (#9)
- Spain (#12)
- Türkiye (#16)
- Netherlands (#18)
- Switzerland (#20)
- Poland (#21)
- Ireland (#23)
- Sweden (#25)
- Austria (#28)
- Norway (#31)
- Denmark (#35)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Belgium?
Belgium had a GDP of $725.5 billion in 2025, ranking number 22 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Belgium?
GDP per person in Belgium was $60,750 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Belgium growing?
The economy of Belgium grew by 1.0% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.