Belgium vs Bulgaria
Every indicator for Belgium and Bulgaria side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Belgium | Bulgaria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 11,941,781 | 6,433,302 | +85.6% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 725 | 131 | +453.4% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 60,750 | 20,328 | +198.8% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 82.3 | 75.8 | — |
| Area (km²) | 30,689 | 110,997 | −72.4% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 389 | 58 | +571.4% |
| Median age (years) | 41.9 | 46.0 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.8 | 82.4 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.9 | 3.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.5 | 4.6 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 87.7 | 74.2 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 8,562 | 2,330 | +267.5% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.28 | 2.15 | −40.5% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.36 | 5.49 | −57.0% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 717 | 362 | +98.0% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 24,000 | 37,000 | −35.1% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.0 | 5.8 | −65.1% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.47 | 1.18 | −60.2% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Belgium relative to Bulgaria; a positive value favors Belgium. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Neither side dominates: Belgium is higher on 6 of 12 indicators, Bulgaria on 6. The widest separation is in population density (about 6.7×); they are closest on armed forces personnel (2020).
Key differences
- Belgium's population density (389) is about 6.7 times Bulgaria's (58).
- Belgium's gdp (nominal) (725) is about 5.5 times Bulgaria's (131).
- Belgium's military expenditure (2024) (8,562) is about 3.7 times Bulgaria's (2,330).
- Bulgaria's area (110,997) is about 3.6 times Belgium's (30,689).
- Belgium's gdp per capita (60,750) is about 3.0 times Bulgaria's (20,328).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Belgium and Bulgaria differ most?
In population density. Belgium records 389 against Bulgaria's 58 — a ratio of roughly 6.7 to one.
Where are Belgium and Bulgaria most alike?
In armed forces personnel (2020), at 37,000 and 24,000 — a gap of only %54.
On how many indicators is Belgium ahead of Bulgaria?
Belgium is higher on 6 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Bulgaria on 6. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
BelgiumBulgaria
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving Belgium or Bulgaria.
Belgium profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Bulgaria profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI