Belgium

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  In Flemish which is the more frequently used language Merry Christmas is ‘Vrolik Kerstfeest,’ pronounced ‘vraw-lick kurst-feast’ and in the Walloon, which is the second official language, Merry Christmas is ‘djoyeus Noye,’ pronounced ‘joyous Noy.’ In Flemish, Christmas Eve is ‘Kerstavond,’ pronounced ‘kurstavond’ and in Walloon, it is ‘le reveillion de Noel,’ pronounced ‘le-re-vay-yawn.’ Though they are not often visited by Santa Claus on December 24th, children in Belgium enjoy two visits from St. Nicholas (Kertsman pronounced ‘kurts-man’). He visits each village for the first time on December 4th to check on each child’s behavior, he then returns on the eve of his birthday December 6th with treats for those who have been good and switches for those who have not been good. These gifts are left in baskets in front of the doorways in return for hay, water, and carrots that children put out for St. Nicholas’ horse.

  The Christmas Eve meal consists of Aarappel Kroketjes (fried potato croquettes), and Speculoos (cookies made with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves). Favorite pastries include cougnou (sweet bread shaped like the Christ child), speculoos (spiced cookies shaped like St Nicholas), marzipan and klaasjes (flat hard cakes). On Christmas Day Christmas lunch includes fresh bakes crusty rolls, Danish pastries called ‘koffiekoek’ which means coffee cake and butter and cold meats. One popular treat is the Bread of Jesus Recipe which is bread kneaded and formed in the shape of the baby Jesus.

  In smaller villages, the three kings sing carols from door to door on January 6th. In keeping with the holiday spirit, they are rewarded with food and drink at each home.

  Plays and scenes depicting the nativity are popular in Belgium, and many date back to the 16th century. In some villages three men are appointed to portray the three Maji. Dressed in period costumes that resemble those found in the works of Flemish painter Jan Brueghel (1568-1625), they parade from door to door singing carols and collecting for charities.

  Christmas trees are a recent addition to Belgian Christmas traditions. Families who choose to decorate trees for the holidays use a variety of ornaments. Many families hang spiced cookies from the branches of their tree. Crèches (Nativity scene) are common and it is traditional to leave a gift for the poor when passing and outdoor crèche.

Dates of Interest

• December 25th

  In Flemish, which is the more frequently used language, Merry Christmas is 'Vrolik Kerstfeest,' pronounced 'vraw-lick kurst-feast' and in the Walloon, which is the second official language, Merry Christmas is 'djoyeus Noye,' pronounced 'joyous Noy.' In Flemish, Christmas Eve is 'Kerstavond' pronounced 'kurstavond' and in Walloon, it is 'le reveillion de Noel,' pronounced 'le-re-vay-yawn.' Though they are not often visited by Santa Claus on December 24th, children in Belgium enjoy two visits from St. Nicholas (Kertsman pronounced 'kurts-man'). He visits each village for the first time on December 4th to check on each child's behavior, he then returns on the eve of his birthday (December 6th) with treats for those who have been good and switches for those who have not been good.

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 100 BCE

   Belgae

   Celtic tribes, called Belgae, settled in the area of Belgium.

2. 200 – 400

   The Franks

   The Franks, a Germanic tribe, settled in the region of Belgium.

3. 496

   Christianity as the state religion

   Clovis, king of the Franks, founded a kingdom which included Belgium. He also established Christianity as the state religion.

4. 768

   The Carolingian Family

   The Carolingian family began to rule the Frankish kingdom.

5. 800

   Charlemagne

   Charlemagne helped to make Belgium the center of the Frankish kingdom, after he was made king.

6. 900 – 1100

   Feudal States -- Major Families

   The Carolingians lost most of their power. Feudal states became important in the area. Several families emerged as strong rulers of their provinces. These families included Flanders, Brabant, Hainaut, Limburg, and Namur.

7. 1302

   Feudal States

   A French army tried to take control of the Flanders are. The local peasants and workers defeated the French army.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Dutch
• French
• German

Population

Population

11,822,592

Population in Major Urban Areas

BRUSSELS (capital) 1.949 million; Antwerp 959,000

Nationality Noun

Belgian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Language Note

Belgium has two official languages: Flemish, which is a form of Dutch, and French. Flemish is spoken in the northern region known as Flanders. French is spoken in the southern region known as Wallonia. As a result of having two languages, many cities have two or three names, and some Belgians cannot speak with other Belgians. The language is also reflected in the media, which offers both French and Flemish versions of TV, news, and radio. Many Belgians speak more than one language and are therefore sought after as employees for international companies.

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Belgium ranks among the highest in the world, reflecting the country's advanced healthcare system, high standard of living, and strong social welfare infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, the overall life expectancy at birth in Belgium stands at approximately 82 years. Women in Belgium typically live longer than men, with female life expectancy averaging around 84 years compared to approximately 80 years for males — a gender gap consistent with broader European trends. Belgium benefits from a universal healthcare system that provides broad access to medical services, preventive care, and specialist treatment for residents. The country spends a significant portion of its GDP on health expenditure, contributing to strong outcomes in areas such as cardiovascular disease management, cancer survival rates, and infant mortality reduction. The infant mortality rate in Belgium is very low, at roughly 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, which further supports favorable overall life expectancy figures. Over the past several decades, life expectancy in Belgium has risen steadily. In the 1960s, average life expectancy hovered around 70 years, meaning Belgians today can expect to live more than a decade longer than their counterparts from that era. This improvement has been driven by advances in medical technology, better nutrition, reduced smoking rates, and improvements in workplace safety and living conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in life expectancy figures in 2020 and 2021, as it did across much of Europe, though Belgium has since recovered toward pre-pandemic levels. Regional differences exist within Belgium. Residents of the Flemish region in the north tend to have slightly higher life expectancy than those in Wallonia in the south, a disparity linked to differences in income levels, employment rates, and health behaviors. The Brussels-Capital Region presents a more complex picture due to its urban demographics and higher levels of socioeconomic inequality. Belgium's aging population presents ongoing challenges for the healthcare and pension systems, as a growing proportion of citizens are living into their 80s and 90s. The government continues to invest in elder care infrastructure and preventive health programs to sustain and improve these life expectancy gains for future generations.

Infant Mortality Rate

Belgium maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong social welfare systems, and high standard of living. As of the most recent available data, Belgium's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among the top-performing nations globally in this key public health indicator. Infant mortality is measured as the number of deaths occurring in children under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year. Belgium's consistently low figures are the result of several interconnected factors, including universal access to prenatal and postnatal care, a well-trained medical workforce, and robust public health programs that support maternal and child health throughout pregnancy and early infancy. The country's healthcare system provides expectant mothers with comprehensive prenatal monitoring, including regular ultrasounds, screenings for chromosomal abnormalities, and nutritional guidance. After birth, newborns receive systematic health screenings and vaccinations as part of a nationally coordinated program. Belgium also benefits from a strong network of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) capable of supporting premature or at-risk infants. Regional differences exist within the country. Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region each manage aspects of health policy through their respective regional governments, and slight variations in infant mortality rates can be observed across these regions, though all remain well below the global average. Belgium's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over the past several decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, rates were considerably higher, but sustained investment in healthcare access, improved obstetric care, and advances in neonatal medicine have driven the rate down steadily over time. For context, the global average infant mortality rate is roughly 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, making Belgium's rate approximately nine times lower than the worldwide figure. This places Belgium alongside countries such as Finland, Japan, and Norway as global leaders in infant survival outcomes.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Belgium ranks among the highest in the world, reflecting the country's advanced healthcare system, high standard of living, and strong social welfare infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, the overall life expectancy at birth in Belgium stands at approximately 82 years. Women in Belgium typically live longer than men, with female life expectancy averaging around 84 years compared to approximately 80 years for males — a gender gap consistent with broader European trends. Belgium benefits from a universal healthcare system that provides broad access to medical services, preventive care, and specialist treatment for residents. The country spends a significant portion of its GDP on health expenditure, contributing to strong outcomes in areas such as cardiovascular disease management, cancer survival rates, and infant mortality reduction. The infant mortality rate in Belgium is very low, at roughly 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, which further supports favorable overall life expectancy figures. Over the past several decades, life expectancy in Belgium has risen steadily. In the 1960s, average life expectancy hovered around 70 years, meaning Belgians today can expect to live more than a decade longer than their counterparts from that era. This improvement has been driven by advances in medical technology, better nutrition, reduced smoking rates, and improvements in workplace safety and living conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in life expectancy figures in 2020 and 2021, as it did across much of Europe, though Belgium has since recovered toward pre-pandemic levels. Regional differences exist within Belgium. Residents of the Flemish region in the north tend to have slightly higher life expectancy than those in Wallonia in the south, a disparity linked to differences in income levels, employment rates, and health behaviors. The Brussels-Capital Region presents a more complex picture due to its urban demographics and higher levels of socioeconomic inequality. Belgium's aging population presents ongoing challenges for the healthcare and pension systems, as a growing proportion of citizens are living into their 80s and 90s. The government continues to invest in elder care infrastructure and preventive health programs to sustain and improve these life expectancy gains for future generations.

Infant Mortality Rate

Belgium maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong social welfare systems, and high standard of living. As of the most recent available data, Belgium's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among the top-performing nations globally in this key public health indicator. Infant mortality is measured as the number of deaths occurring in children under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year. Belgium's consistently low figures are the result of several interconnected factors, including universal access to prenatal and postnatal care, a well-trained medical workforce, and robust public health programs that support maternal and child health throughout pregnancy and early infancy. The country's healthcare system provides expectant mothers with comprehensive prenatal monitoring, including regular ultrasounds, screenings for chromosomal abnormalities, and nutritional guidance. After birth, newborns receive systematic health screenings and vaccinations as part of a nationally coordinated program. Belgium also benefits from a strong network of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) capable of supporting premature or at-risk infants. Regional differences exist within the country. Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region each manage aspects of health policy through their respective regional governments, and slight variations in infant mortality rates can be observed across these regions, though all remain well below the global average. Belgium's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over the past several decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, rates were considerably higher, but sustained investment in healthcare access, improved obstetric care, and advances in neonatal medicine have driven the rate down steadily over time. For context, the global average infant mortality rate is roughly 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, making Belgium's rate approximately nine times lower than the worldwide figure. This places Belgium alongside countries such as Finland, Japan, and Norway as global leaders in infant survival outcomes.

Country Identity

Country Name

Belgium

Full Country Name

Kingdom of Belgium

Local - Long

Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

Local - Short

Belgique/Belgie

Government Structure

Government Type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

Legal System

civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Executive Branch

chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Queen Consort MATHILDE; Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 1 October 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch note: government coalition - Open VLD, MR, PS, sp.a (now Vooruit), CD&V, cdH (now Les Engagés), and Ecolo-Groen elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat (Dutch), Sénat (French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments, and 10 co-opted senators; members serve five-year terms) and a Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (Dutch), Chambre des Représentants (French) (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms). Elections: Senate and Chamber of Representatives — last held on 9 June 2024 (next to be held in June 2029). Election results: Chamber of Representatives — percent of vote by party — Vlaams Belang (VB) 13.7%, Mouvement Réformateur (MR) 10.9%, Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA) 10.1%, Les Engagés 9.5%, Vooruit 8.9%, Parti Socialiste (PS) 7.6%, Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) 6.5%, Partij van de Arbeid van België/Parti du Travail de Belgique (PVDA-PTB) 7.0%, Open VLD 5.5%, Ecolo 3.2%, Groen 3.1%; seats by party — VB 24, MR 20, N-VA 20, Les Engagés 17, Vooruit 13, PS 16, CD&V 11, PVDA-PTB 10, Open VLD 7, Ecolo 6, Groen 6. Note: Following the 1993 constitutional revision that transformed Belgium into a federal state, there are three levels of government — federal, regional, and linguistic community — with a complex division of responsibilities. This structure encompasses six distinct governments, each with its own legislative assembly. The Senate was substantially reformed in 2014, transitioning from a directly elected body to one composed primarily of members delegated from the regional and community parliaments, reflecting Belgium's ongoing commitment to federal devolution.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Constitution

7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state

Independence

4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne

National Holiday

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Capital City

Capital Name

Brussels

Capital - geographic coordinate

50 50 N, 4 20 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

GDP — official exchange rate

$350,300,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

1.2%

GDP by Sector

agriculture: 1.6% industry: 26.8% services: 71.6%

Gini Index

25