Belgium vs Netherlands
Every indicator for Belgium and Netherlands side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Belgium | Netherlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 11,941,781 | 18,087,633 | −34.0% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 725 | 1,333 | −45.6% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 60,750 | 73,684 | −17.6% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 82.3 | 82.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 30,689 | 41,540 | −26.1% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 389 | 435 | −10.6% |
| Median age (years) | 41.9 | 42.2 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.8 | 97.0 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.9 | 3.9 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.5 | 3.3 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 87.7 | 95.9 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 8,562 | 23,179 | −63.1% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.28 | 1.92 | −33.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.36 | 4.34 | −45.6% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 717 | 1,281 | −44.1% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 24,000 | 41,000 | −41.5% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.0 | 2.3 | −11.3% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.47 | 0.42 | +11.9% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Belgium relative to Netherlands; a positive value favors Belgium. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Netherlands is higher on 11 of the 12 indicators, while Belgium leads on the remaining 1. The widest separation is in military expenditure (2024), about 2.7 times; they are closest on population density.
Key differences
- Netherlands's military expenditure (2024) (23,179) is about 2.7 times Belgium's (8,562).
- On military expenditure as a share of government spending, Netherlands is %84 higher than Belgium: 4.34 against 2.36.
- On gdp (nominal), Netherlands is %84 higher than Belgium: 1,333 against 725.
- On military expenditure per capita, Netherlands is %79 higher than Belgium: 1,281 against 717.
- On armed forces personnel (2020), Netherlands is %71 higher than Belgium: 41,000 against 24,000.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Belgium and Netherlands differ most?
Where are Belgium and Netherlands most alike?
On how many indicators is Belgium ahead of Netherlands?
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 Netherlands.
Belgium profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Netherlands profile →
All statistics, series, and details.