Belgium vs Portugal
Every indicator for Belgium and Portugal side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Belgium | Portugal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 11,941,781 | 10,804,871 | +10.5% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 725 | 347 | +108.9% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 60,750 | 32,082 | +89.4% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 82.3 | 82.4 | — |
| Area (km²) | 30,689 | 92,230 | −66.7% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 389 | 117 | +232.2% |
| Median age (years) | 41.9 | 46.9 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.8 | 88.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.9 | 6.2 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.5 | 2.3 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 87.7 | 61.5 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 8,562 | 4,642 | +84.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.28 | 1.53 | −16.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.36 | 3.57 | −33.9% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 717 | 430 | +66.9% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 24,000 | 52,000 | −53.8% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.0 | 4.8 | −58.2% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.47 | 1.01 | −53.5% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Belgium relative to Portugal; 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, Portugal on 6. The widest separation is in population density (about 3.3×); they are closest on population (2025).
Key differences
- Belgium's population density (389) is about 3.3 times Portugal's (117).
- Portugal's area (92,230) is about 3.0 times Belgium's (30,689).
- Portugal's armed forces per 1,000 people (4.8) is about 2.4 times Belgium's (2.0).
- Portugal's armed forces personnel (2020) (52,000) is about 2.2 times Belgium's (24,000).
- Portugal's armed forces as a share of the labor force (1.01) is about 2.1 times Belgium's (0.47).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Belgium and Portugal differ most?
In population density. Belgium records 389 against Portugal's 117 — a ratio of roughly 3.3 to one.
Where are Belgium and Portugal most alike?
In population (2025), at 11,941,781 and 10,804,871 — a gap of only %11.
On how many indicators is Belgium ahead of Portugal?
Belgium is higher on 6 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Portugal on 6. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
BelgiumPortugal
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 Portugal.
Belgium profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Portugal profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI