Area Total | 30,528 sq km |
Climate | temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy |
Natural Resources | construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land |
Imports | Netherlands 17.3%, Germany 13.8%, France 9.5%, US 7.1%, UK 4.9%, Ireland 4.2%, China 4.1% (2017) – raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products |
Government | federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy |
Capital | Brussels |
Population | 11.6 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.) |
Language | Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1% |
Exports | GGermany 16.6%, France 14.9%, Netherlands 12%, UK 8.4%, Italy 4.9%, US 4.8% (2017) – chemicals, machinery and equipment, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs |
News about Belgium
- Don’t kill equal treatment at work bill, EU countries and MEPs tell Commissionby Giedrė Peseckytė, Mathieu Pollet (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 4, 2025
More than a dozen EU countries and a parliamentary committee have urged the European Commission not to axe the bill.
- ‘She’s pretty much alone’: The EU’s greenest leader fights the tideby Karl Mathiesen, Zia Weise (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 3, 2025
The European Commission’s second-most powerful politician is isolated, beleaguered and under attack — just like the green policy she has vowed to protect.
- Europe’s politicians suffer through heat wave — with or without air conditioningby Joe Stanley-Smith (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 1, 2025
While some politicians go red in the face trying to make their contemporaries pay attention to climate change, others are trying to make political hay while the sun is shining.
- Top of Eiffel Tower closed due to extreme heatby Elena Giordano (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 1, 2025
Paris landmark's highest level shut as France swelters.
- Brussels’ Atomium closes early because its balls are too hotby Elena Giordano (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 1, 2025
Belgian landmark cuts hours as Europe melts under heat wave.
- Europe’s heat wave in picturesby Ellen Boonen (Belgium – POLITICO) on July 1, 2025
Europe is sweltering under one of the most intense heatwaves in recorded history, as a punishing heat dome drives temperatures well above 40 °C across much of the continent.
- German conservative leader calls for European nuclear deterrent ‘independent’ from USby Nette Nöstlinger (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 30, 2025
"If you can't provide a nuclear deterrent, you become a pawn in world politics," said Jens Spahn, the conservatives' parliamentary group leader.
- Belgium issues new travel advice for Hungary ahead of Budapest Prideby Elena Giordano (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 27, 2025
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of "legal consequences" for those who defy the government's ban on Pride parades.
- European Parliament to stop Belgium ‘tarnishing’ MEPs’ reputationsby Max Griera (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 26, 2025
"I will not accept the targeting and tarnishing of MEPs without a solid basis," says Parliament President Metsola.
- NATO clinches defense spending deal in big win for Trumpby Victor Jack, Chris Lunday, Laura Kayali (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 25, 2025
Leaders signed off on a new 5 percent of GDP defense spending target by 2035.
- Frontline NATO countries put on brave face as Trump casts doubt on collective defenseby Laura Kayali, Victor Jack (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 25, 2025
Trump's comments have shown the U.S. doesn't have to leave NATO to undermine the alliance's credibility.
- UK to join NATO nuclear aircraft mission as it buys 12 fighter jetsby Esther Webber, Laura Kayali (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 24, 2025
Move has been welcomed by NATO boss Mark Rutte.
- Germany backs major NATO defense spending boost — but not to please Trumpby Chris Lunday (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 24, 2025
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government will boost defense spending to €153 billion in 2029, up from €86 billion this year.
- Spain’s NATO spending deal under fireby Csongor Körömi, Laura Kayali (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 23, 2025
NATO chief says he's convinced Spain will have to spend 3.5 percent, even if Madrid doesn't want to.
- Israel in breach of EU deal over Gaza human rights, report signalsby Jacopo Barigazzi, Gabriel Gavin, Jakob Weizman (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 20, 2025
EU leaders will now have to decide whether there is sufficient support to take action.
- Europe can’t reduce US weapons reliance ‘overnight,’ warns missile bossby Laura Kayali (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 20, 2025
Turning to European alternatives instead will take time and political will, MBDA CEO Éric Béranger tells four outlets including POLITICO.
- What’s really behind Europe’s 5% defense pushby Sarah Wheaton, Dionisios Sturis, Anne McElvoy (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 20, 2025
Presented by Equinor.
- Italy’s ex-PM Conte calls for NATO counter-summitby Csongor Körömi, Max Griera (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 19, 2025
Left-leaning party representatives from 10 EU countries set to attend.
- EU weighs sperm donor cap to curb risk of accidental incestby Giedrė Peseckytė (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 19, 2025
Donations are booming, increasing the health and psychological risks to donor children.
- Mark Rutte DOGEs NATO with dozens of job cutsby Seb Starcevic (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 19, 2025
Transatlantic military chief slashes roles and eliminates divisions as U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctant commitment overshadows the alliance.
- EU devises scheme to squeeze more profit from Russian frozen assetsby Gregorio Sorgi (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 19, 2025
Putting €200 billion of Russian funds in riskier investments would boost payments to Ukraine without touching the underlying capital.
- Baltic countries team up on mass evacuation plans as Russian threat growsby Giedrė Peseckytė (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 13, 2025
“Clear procedures are crucial, as is the rapid exchange of information,” says Lithuanian interior minister.
- Hundreds of Belgian cops protest against officer’s arrest after boy killed in chaseby Seb Starcevic (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 13, 2025
"They may have been careless, but that arrest was a big surprise," Brussels police chief says.
- Brussels police officer accused of killing 11-year-old boy during pursuit is arrestedby Hanne Cokelaere (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 11, 2025
Law enforcement unions are furious over the officer's detention.
- X, Bluesky and Reddit in France’s crosshairs amid porn clampdownby Émile Marzolf, Eliza Gkritsi (Belgium – POLITICO) on June 11, 2025
The government wants platforms to remove adult content or implement stricter age verification controls.