Country profile
Belgium
A logistics gateway to Europe through the port of Antwerp-Bruges, with large pharmaceutical, chemical and vehicle exports.
Updated 11 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Brussels
- Population
- 11.9 million (2026)
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- GDP, 2026
- US$773 billion
- Exports, 2025
- US$568.7 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (10 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
0.7%Real GDP growth, 2026
1.1%Real GDP growth, 2027
3.8%Inflation, 2026
6.2%Unemployment, 2026
109.8% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
-2.8% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Compare Belgium with other countries →
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- Germany (15.2%)
- Netherlands (12.9%)
- France (12.7%)
- United States (7.9%)
- United Kingdom (6.3%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Pharmaceuticals (14.2%)
- Vehicles (11.3%)
- Mineral fuels, refined products (9.6%)
- Machinery, including computers (7.2%)
- Plastics (5.8%)
Main trade agreements
- EU single market
- EU agreements including CETA (Canada), EU–Japan, EU–Korea, EU–Mexico and EU–Vietnam
- EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union
Trade policy to watch
- EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): in its definitive phase since 1 January 2026 for imports into the EU of iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen.
- EU trade policy: no tariffs inside the EU; trade with non-EU countries is set at EU level.
- Nuclear power: Belgium extended two reactors to 2035 and in 2025 repealed its nuclear phase-out law.
Energy
Nuclear power and natural gas produce most of Belgium's electricity, and offshore wind is growing. Belgium imports its oil and gas; Zeebrugge is a major LNG terminal.
What it means for your supply chain
- Antwerp-Bruges is a common EU entry point, so EU customs and CBAM rules often apply there.
- Belgium is a major source of vaccines, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
- Many goods shipped from Belgium are made elsewhere; check the country of origin.
Belgium in the Supplier Hub
3 companies in the Supplier Hub are listed under Belgium.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections; updated automatically).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- World’s Top Exports: export markets (2024 data) and main exports.
- Bank of Canada, daily exchange rates (cross rates calculated from CAD rates; updated daily).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
- European Commission, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.