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- country_code: "au"
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- country_name: "Austria"
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- country_affiliation:
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- region_code: "eur"
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- region_name: "Europe"
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- last_updated: 2015-09-24
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- <h2 sectiontitle='Introduction' ccode='be'>Introduction :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Background:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.</div>
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- <h2 sectiontitle='Geography' ccode='be'>Geography :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Location:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Geographic coordinates:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>50 50 N, 4 00 E</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Map references:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Europe</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Area:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>30,528 sq km</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>land: </span><span class=category_data>30,278 sq km</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>water: </span><span class=category_data>250 sq km</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Area - comparative:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>about the size of Maryland</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Land boundaries:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>1,297 km</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>border countries (4): </span><span class=category_data>France 556 km, Germany 133 km, Luxembourg 130 km, Netherlands 478 km</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Coastline:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>66.5 km</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Maritime claims:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>territorial sea: </span><span class=category_data>12 nm</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>contiguous zone: </span><span class=category_data>24 nm</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>exclusive economic zone: </span><span class=category_data>geographic coordinates define outer limit</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>continental shelf: </span><span class=category_data>median line with neighbors</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Climate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Terrain:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Elevation extremes:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>lowest point: </span><span class=category_data>North Sea 0 m</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>highest point: </span><span class=category_data>Botrange 694 m</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural resources:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Land use:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>agricultural land: </span><span class=category_data>44.1%</span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>arable land 27.2%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 16.1%</div>
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- <div><span class=category>forest: </span><span class=category_data>22.4%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>other: </span><span class=category_data>33.5% (2011 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Irrigated land:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>233.5 sq km (2007)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Total renewable water resources:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>18.3 cu km (2011)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>6.22 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>per capita: </span><span class=category_data>589.8 cu m/yr (2007)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural hazards:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Environment - current issues:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Environment - international agreements:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>party to: </span><span class=category_data>Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>signed, but not ratified: </span><span class=category_data>none of the selected agreements</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Geography - note:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO</div>
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- <h2 sectiontitle='People and Society' ccode='be'>People and Society :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Nationality:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>noun: </span><span class=category_data>Belgian(s)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>adjective: </span><span class=category_data>Belgian</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Ethnic groups:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Languages:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Religions:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Population:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>11,323,973 (July 2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Age structure:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>0-14 years: </span><span class=category_data>17.08% (male 990,272/female 943,363)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>15-24 years: </span><span class=category_data>11.59% (male 669,540/female 642,486)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>25-54 years: </span><span class=category_data>40.45% (male 2,308,285/female 2,272,085)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>55-64 years: </span><span class=category_data>12.65% (male 709,347/female 723,696)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>65 years and over: </span><span class=category_data>18.23% (male 893,096/female 1,171,803) (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div><span class='category'>population pyramid:</span>
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- </div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Dependency ratios:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total dependency ratio: </span><span class=category_data>54.2%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>youth dependency ratio: </span><span class=category_data>26.1%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>elderly dependency ratio: </span><span class=category_data>28.1%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>potential support ratio: </span><span class=category_data>3.6% (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Median age:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>41.4 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>40.2 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>42.6 years (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Population growth rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>0.76% (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Birth rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>11.41 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Death rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>9.63 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Net migration rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>5.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Urbanization:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>urban population: </span><span class=category_data>97.9% of total population (2015)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>rate of urbanization: </span><span class=category_data>0.48% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Major urban areas - population:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>BRUSSELS (capital) 2.045 million; Antwerp 994,000 (2015)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Sex ratio:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>at birth: </span><span class=category_data>1.05 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>0-14 years: </span><span class=category_data>1.05 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>15-24 years: </span><span class=category_data>1.04 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>25-54 years: </span><span class=category_data>1.02 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>55-64 years: </span><span class=category_data>0.98 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>65 years and over: </span><span class=category_data>0.76 male(s)/female</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>total population: </span><span class=category_data>0.97 male(s)/female (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Infant mortality rate:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>3.41 deaths/1,000 live births</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>3.81 deaths/1,000 live births</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>3 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Life expectancy at birth:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total population: </span><span class=category_data>80.88 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>78.3 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>83.58 years (2015 est.)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Total fertility rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>1.78 children born/woman (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Contraceptive prevalence rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>70.4%</div>
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- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>percent of women aged 18-49 (2008/10)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Health expenditures:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>11.2% of GDP (2013)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Physicians density:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>3.78 physicians/1,000 population (2010)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Hospital bed density:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>6.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Drinking water source:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>improved: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>urban: 100% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>rural: 100% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>total: 100% of population</div>
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- <div><span class=category>unimproved: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>urban: 0% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>rural: 0% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>total: 0% of population (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Sanitation facility access:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>improved: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>urban: 99.5% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>rural: 99.4% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>total: 99.5% of population</div>
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- <div><span class=category>unimproved: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>urban: 0.5% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>rural: 0.6% of population</div>
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- <div class=category_data>total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>NA</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>NA</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>NA</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Obesity - adult prevalence rate:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>22.1% (2014)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Education expenditures:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>6.5% of GDP (2011)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>16 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>16 years</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>17 years (2012)</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>19.8%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>20.4%</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>19.8% (2012 est.)</span></div>
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- <h2 sectiontitle='Government' ccode='be'>Government :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Country name:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>conventional long form: </span><span class=category_data>Kingdom of Belgium</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>conventional short form: </span><span class=category_data>Belgium</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>local long form: </span><span class=category_data>Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>local short form: </span><span class=category_data>Belgique/Belgie/Belgien</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Government type:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Capital:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>name: </span><span class=category_data>Brussels</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>geographic coordinates: </span><span class=category_data>50 50 N, 4 20 E</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>time difference: </span><span class=category_data>UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>daylight saving time: </span><span class=category_data>+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Administrative divisions:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)</div>
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- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Independence:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>National holiday:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Constitution:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state); amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Legal system:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>International law organization participation:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Suffrage:</div>
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- <div class=category_data>18 years of age; universal and compulsory</div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Executive branch:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>chief of state: </span><span class=category_data>King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>head of government: </span><span class=category_data>Prime Minister Charles MICHEL (since 11 October 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012), Jan JAMBON (since 11 October 2014), Kris PEETERS, Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>cabinet: </span><span class=category_data>Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>elections/appointments: </span><span class=category_data>the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by Parliament</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Legislative branch:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>description: </span><span class=category_data>bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 31 indirectly elected by Community Parliaments; members serve 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>the 1993 constitutional revision that further devolved Belgium into a federal state created three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; changes above occurred since the sixth state reform</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>elections: </span><span class=category_data>Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 May 2014 (next to be held May 2019); note - elections will coincide with the EU's elections</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>election results: </span><span class=category_data>Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 20.3%, PS 11.7%, CD&V 11.6%, Open VLD 9.8%, MR 9.6%, SP.A 8.8%, Groen! 5.3%, CDH 5.0% Workers' Party 3.7%, VB 3.7%, Ecolo 3.3%, FDF 1.8%, the People's Party 1.5%, other 7.2%; seats by party - N-VA 33, PS 23, CD&V 18, Open VLD 14, MR 20, SP.A 13, Groen! 6, CDH 9, Workers' Party 2, VB 3, Ecolo 6, FDF 2, the People's Party 1</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Judicial branch:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>highest court(s): </span><span class=category_data>Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof in Dutch and Cour constitutionelle in French (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie in Dutch and Cour de Cassation in French (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges)</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>judge selection and term of office: </span><span class=category_data>Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life</span></div>
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- <div><span class=category>subordinate courts: </span><span class=category_data>Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace</span></div>
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- <div id='field' class='category'>Political parties and leaders:</div>
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- <div><span class=category>Flemish parties: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Wouter BEKE]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Gwendolyn RUTTEN]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Groen! [Meyren ALMACI] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens)</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Libertarian, Direct, Democratic or LDD (formerly Dedecker's List) [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>People's Party [Mischael MODRIKAMEN]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Bruno TOBBACK]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Tom VAN GRIEKEN]</div>
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- <div><span class=category>Francophone parties: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
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- <div class=category_data>Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Patrick DUPRIEZ and Zakia KHATTABI]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Francophone Federalist Democrats or FDF [Olivier MAINGAIN]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>People's Party [Mischael MODRIKAMEN]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Reform Movement or MR [Olivier CHASTEL]</div>
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- <div class=category_data>Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]</div>
239
- <div class=category_data>Workers' Party [Peter Mertens]</div>
240
- <div class=category_data>other minor parties</div>
241
- <div id='field' class='category'>Political pressure groups and leaders:</div>
242
- <div class=category_data>Belgian General Federation of Labor [Rudy DE LEEUW, Marc GOBLET]</div>
243
- <div class=category_data>Confederation of Christan Trade Unions [Marc LEEMANS, Marie-Helene SKA]</div>
244
- <div class=category_data>Federation of Enterprises in Belgium [Pieter TIMMERMANS, Michele SIOEN]</div>
245
- <div><span class=category>other: </span><span class=category_data>numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; trade unions; various organizations representing the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants</span></div>
246
- <div id='field' class='category'>International organization participation:</div>
247
- <div class=category_data>ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC</div>
248
- <div id='field' class='category'>Diplomatic representation in the US:</div>
249
- <div><span class=category>chief of mission: </span><span class=category_data>Ambassador Johan VERBEKE (since 10 March 2014)</span></div>
250
- <div><span class=category>chancery: </span><span class=category_data>3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008</span></div>
251
- <div><span class=category>telephone: </span><span class=category_data>[1] (202) 333-6900</span></div>
252
- <div><span class=category>FAX: </span><span class=category_data>[1] (202) 333-3079</span></div>
253
- <div><span class=category>consulate(s) general: </span><span class=category_data>Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York</span></div>
254
- <div id='field' class='category'>Diplomatic representation from the US:</div>
255
- <div><span class=category>chief of mission: </span><span class=category_data>Ambassador Denise Campbell BAUER (since 26 September 2013)</span></div>
256
- <div><span class=category>embassy: </span><span class=category_data>27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels</span></div>
257
- <div><span class=category>mailing address: </span><span class=category_data>PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710</span></div>
258
- <div><span class=category>telephone: </span><span class=category_data>[32] (2) 811-4000</span></div>
259
- <div><span class=category>FAX: </span><span class=category_data>[32] (2) 811-4500</span></div>
260
- <div id='field' class='category'>Flag description:</div>
261
- <div class=category_data>three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)</div>
262
- <div id='field' class='category'>National symbol(s):</div>
263
- <div class=category_data>lion; national colors: red, black, yellow</div>
264
- <div id='field' class='category'>National anthem:</div>
265
- <div><span class=category>name: </span><span class=category_data>"La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)</span></div>
266
- <div><span class=category>lyrics/music: </span><span class=category_data>Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT</span></div>
267
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe</span></div>
268
-
269
-
270
- <h2 sectiontitle='Economy' ccode='be'>Economy :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
271
- <div id='field' class='category'>Economy - overview:</div>
272
- <div class=category_data>This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly in Belgium&rsquo;s EU trade partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. In 2014 Belgian GDP grew by 0.9%, the unemployment rate stabilized at 8.5%, and the the budget deficit was 3.2% of GDP. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL&rsquo;s center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to reduce Belgium&rsquo;s high public debt, which remains above 100% of GDP, but such efforts could also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and high unemployment promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue an reform program to improve Belgium&rsquo;s competitiveness, including changes to tax policy, labor market rules, and welfare benefits. These changes risk worsening tensions with trade unions and triggering extended strikes.</div>
273
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP (purchasing power parity):</div>
274
- <div class=category_data>$481.5 billion (2014 est.)</div>
275
- <div class=category_data>$476.5 billion (2013 est.)</div>
276
- <div class=category_data>$475.2 billion (2012 est.)</div>
277
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>data are in 2014 US dollars</span></div>
278
-
279
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP (official exchange rate):</div>
280
- <div class=category_data>$534.7 billion (2014 est.)</div>
281
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP - real growth rate:</div>
282
- <div class=category_data>1% (2014 est.)</div>
283
- <div class=category_data>0.3% (2013 est.)</div>
284
- <div class=category_data>0.1% (2012 est.)</div>
285
-
286
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP - per capita (PPP):</div>
287
- <div class=category_data>$43,000 (2014 est.)</div>
288
- <div class=category_data>$42,500 (2013 est.)</div>
289
- <div class=category_data>$42,400 (2012 est.)</div>
290
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>data are in 2014 US dollars</span></div>
291
-
292
- <div id='field' class='category'>Gross national saving:</div>
293
- <div class=category_data>23.5% of GDP (2014 est.)</div>
294
- <div class=category_data>22.4% of GDP (2013 est.)</div>
295
- <div class=category_data>22.8% of GDP (2012 est.)</div>
296
-
297
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP - composition, by end use:</div>
298
- <div><span class=category>household consumption: </span><span class=category_data>53.7%</span></div>
299
- <div><span class=category>government consumption: </span><span class=category_data>25.5%</span></div>
300
- <div><span class=category>investment in fixed capital: </span><span class=category_data>20.6%</span></div>
301
- <div><span class=category>investment in inventories: </span><span class=category_data>0.4%</span></div>
302
- <div><span class=category>exports of goods and services: </span><span class=category_data>85.9%</span></div>
303
- <div><span class=category>imports of goods and services: </span><span class=category_data>-86%</span></div>
304
- <div class=category_data> (2014 est.)</div>
305
- <div id='field' class='category'>GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div>
306
- <div><span class=category>agriculture: </span><span class=category_data>0.8%</span></div>
307
- <div><span class=category>industry: </span><span class=category_data>21.1%</span></div>
308
- <div><span class=category>services: </span><span class=category_data>78.1% (2014 est.)</span></div>
309
- <div id='field' class='category'>Agriculture - products:</div>
310
- <div class=category_data>sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk</div>
311
- <div id='field' class='category'>Industries:</div>
312
- <div class=category_data>engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum</div>
313
- <div id='field' class='category'>Industrial production growth rate:</div>
314
- <div class=category_data>0.2% (2014 est.)</div>
315
-
316
- <div id='field' class='category'>Labor force:</div>
317
- <div class=category_data>5.225 million (2014 est.)</div>
318
-
319
- <div id='field' class='category'>Labor force - by occupation:</div>
320
- <div><span class=category>agriculture: </span><span class=category_data>1.3%</span></div>
321
- <div><span class=category>industry: </span><span class=category_data>18.6%</span></div>
322
- <div><span class=category>services: </span><span class=category_data>80.1% (2013 est.)</span></div>
323
- <div id='field' class='category'>Unemployment rate:</div>
324
- <div class=category_data>8.5% (2014 est.)</div>
325
- <div class=category_data>8.4% (2013 est.)</div>
326
-
327
- <div id='field' class='category'>Population below poverty line:</div>
328
- <div class=category_data>15.1% (2013 est.)</div>
329
- <div id='field' class='category'>Household income or consumption by percentage share:</div>
330
- <div><span class=category>lowest 10%: </span><span class=category_data>3.4%</span></div>
331
- <div><span class=category>highest 10%: </span><span class=category_data>28.4% (2006)</span></div>
332
- <div id='field' class='category'>Distribution of family income - Gini index:</div>
333
- <div class=category_data>25.9 (2013 est.)</div>
334
- <div class=category_data>28.7 (1996)</div>
335
-
336
- <div id='field' class='category'>Budget:</div>
337
- <div><span class=category>revenues: </span><span class=category_data>$267.9 billion</span></div>
338
- <div><span class=category>expenditures: </span><span class=category_data>$280.8 billion (2014 est.)</span></div>
339
- <div id='field' class='category'>Taxes and other revenues:</div>
340
- <div class=category_data>50.7% of GDP (2014 est.)</div>
341
-
342
- <div id='field' class='category'>Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):</div>
343
- <div class=category_data>-2.5% of GDP (2014 est.)</div>
344
-
345
- <div id='field' class='category'>Public debt:</div>
346
- <div class=category_data>101.9% of GDP (2014 est.)</div>
347
- <div class=category_data>101.2% of GDP (2013 est.)</div>
348
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds</span></div>
349
-
350
- <div id='field' class='category'>Fiscal year:</div>
351
- <div class=category_data>calendar year</div>
352
- <div id='field' class='category'>Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div>
353
- <div class=category_data>0.5% (2014 est.)</div>
354
- <div class=category_data>1.2% (2013 est.)</div>
355
-
356
- <div id='field' class='category'>Central bank discount rate:</div>
357
- <div class=category_data>0.75% (31 December 2013)</div>
358
- <div class=category_data>1.5% (31 December 2010)</div>
359
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area</span></div>
360
-
361
- <div id='field' class='category'>Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div>
362
- <div class=category_data>3.5% (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
363
- <div class=category_data>3.49% (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
364
-
365
- <div id='field' class='category'>Stock of narrow money:</div>
366
- <div class=category_data>$202.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
367
- <div class=category_data>$205.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
368
- <div><span class=category>note: </span><span class=category_data>see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders</span></div>
369
-
370
- <div id='field' class='category'>Stock of broad money:</div>
371
- <div class=category_data>$606.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
372
- <div class=category_data>$630.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
373
-
374
- <div id='field' class='category'>Stock of domestic credit:</div>
375
- <div class=category_data>$568.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
376
- <div class=category_data>$596 billion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
377
-
378
- <div id='field' class='category'>Market value of publicly traded shares:</div>
379
- <div class=category_data>$300.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)</div>
380
- <div class=category_data>$229.9 billion (31 December 2011)</div>
381
- <div class=category_data>$269.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)</div>
382
-
383
- <div id='field' class='category'>Current account balance:</div>
384
- <div class=category_data>$8.71 billion (2014 est.)</div>
385
- <div class=category_data>-$9.661 billion (2013 est.)</div>
386
-
387
- <div id='field' class='category'>Exports:</div>
388
- <div class=category_data>$323.4 billion (2014 est.)</div>
389
- <div class=category_data>$321 billion (2013 est.)</div>
390
-
391
- <div id='field' class='category'>Exports - commodities:</div>
392
- <div class=category_data>chemicals, machinery and equipment, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs</div>
393
- <div id='field' class='category'>Exports - partners:</div>
394
- <div class=category_data>Germany 17.3%, France 16.2%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 8.6%, US 4.9%, Italy 4.5% (2014)</div>
395
- <div id='field' class='category'>Imports:</div>
396
- <div class=category_data>$340.2 billion (2014 est.)</div>
397
- <div class=category_data>$331.2 billion (2013 est.)</div>
398
-
399
- <div id='field' class='category'>Imports - commodities:</div>
400
- <div class=category_data>raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products</div>
401
- <div id='field' class='category'>Imports - partners:</div>
402
- <div class=category_data>Netherlands 20.2%, Germany 13.3%, France 10.3%, US 7.1%, UK 5% (2014)</div>
403
- <div id='field' class='category'>Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div>
404
- <div class=category_data>$26.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
405
- <div class=category_data>$26.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
406
-
407
- <div id='field' class='category'>Debt - external:</div>
408
- <div class=category_data>$1.424 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)</div>
409
- <div class=category_data>$1.417 trillion (31 December 2011)</div>
410
-
411
- <div id='field' class='category'>Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:</div>
412
- <div class=category_data>$1.196 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
413
- <div class=category_data>$1.169 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
414
-
415
- <div id='field' class='category'>Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:</div>
416
- <div class=category_data>$1.077 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)</div>
417
- <div class=category_data>$1.084 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)</div>
418
-
419
- <div id='field' class='category'>Exchange rates:</div>
420
- <div class=category_data>euros (EUR) per US dollar -</div>
421
- <div class=category_data>0.7489 (2014 est.)</div>
422
- <div class=category_data>0.7634 (2013 est.)</div>
423
- <div class=category_data>0.78 (2012 est.)</div>
424
- <div class=category_data>0.7185 (2011 est.)</div>
425
- <div class=category_data>0.755 (2010 est.)</div>
426
-
427
- <h2 sectiontitle='Energy' ccode='be'>Energy :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
428
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - production:</div>
429
- <div class=category_data>74.13 billion kWh (2012 est.)</div>
430
-
431
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - consumption:</div>
432
- <div class=category_data>83.16 billion kWh (2011 est.)</div>
433
-
434
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - exports:</div>
435
- <div class=category_data>7.603 billion kWh (2013 est.)</div>
436
-
437
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - imports:</div>
438
- <div class=category_data>17.24 billion kWh (2013 est.)</div>
439
-
440
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - installed generating capacity:</div>
441
- <div class=category_data>20.79 million kW (2011 est.)</div>
442
-
443
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - from fossil fuels:</div>
444
- <div class=category_data>46.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)</div>
445
-
446
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - from nuclear fuels:</div>
447
- <div class=category_data>30.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)</div>
448
-
449
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:</div>
450
- <div class=category_data>0.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)</div>
451
-
452
- <div id='field' class='category'>Electricity - from other renewable sources:</div>
453
- <div class=category_data>22.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)</div>
454
-
455
- <div id='field' class='category'>Crude oil - production:</div>
456
- <div class=category_data>0 bbl/day (2013 est.)</div>
457
-
458
- <div id='field' class='category'>Crude oil - exports:</div>
459
- <div class=category_data>0 bbl/day (2012 est.)</div>
460
-
461
- <div id='field' class='category'>Crude oil - imports:</div>
462
- <div class=category_data>634,700 bbl/day (2012 est.)</div>
463
-
464
- <div id='field' class='category'>Crude oil - proved reserves:</div>
465
- <div class=category_data>0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)</div>
466
-
467
- <div id='field' class='category'>Refined petroleum products - production:</div>
468
- <div class=category_data>715,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)</div>
469
-
470
- <div id='field' class='category'>Refined petroleum products - consumption:</div>
471
- <div class=category_data>612,800 bbl/day (2013 est.)</div>
472
-
473
- <div id='field' class='category'>Refined petroleum products - exports:</div>
474
- <div class=category_data>442,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)</div>
475
-
476
- <div id='field' class='category'>Refined petroleum products - imports:</div>
477
- <div class=category_data>433,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)</div>
478
-
479
- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural gas - production:</div>
480
- <div class=category_data>0 cu m (2012 est.)</div>
481
-
482
- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural gas - consumption:</div>
483
- <div class=category_data>17.63 billion cu m (2013 est.)</div>
484
-
485
- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural gas - exports:</div>
486
- <div class=category_data>5.613 billion cu m (2013 est.)</div>
487
-
488
- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural gas - imports:</div>
489
- <div class=category_data>23.33 billion cu m (2013 est.)</div>
490
-
491
- <div id='field' class='category'>Natural gas - proved reserves:</div>
492
- <div class=category_data>0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)</div>
493
-
494
- <div id='field' class='category'>Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:</div>
495
- <div class=category_data>139.1 million Mt (2012 est.)</div>
496
-
497
-
498
- <h2 sectiontitle='Communications' ccode='be'>Communications :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
499
- <div id='field' class='category'>Telephones - fixed lines:</div>
500
- <div><span class=category>total subscriptions: </span><span class=category_data>4.7 million</span></div>
501
- <div><span class=category>subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: </span><span class=category_data>42 (2014 est.)</span></div>
502
-
503
- <div id='field' class='category'>Telephones - mobile cellular:</div>
504
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>12.7 million</span></div>
505
- <div><span class=category>subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: </span><span class=category_data>113 (2014 est.)</span></div>
506
-
507
- <div id='field' class='category'>Telephone system:</div>
508
- <div><span class=category>general assessment: </span><span class=category_data>highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities</span></div>
509
- <div><span class=category>domestic: </span><span class=category_data>nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network</span></div>
510
- <div><span class=category>international: </span><span class=category_data>country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)</span></div>
511
- <div id='field' class='category'>Broadcast media:</div>
512
- <div class=category_data>a segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters (2007)</div>
513
- <div id='field' class='category'>Radio broadcast stations:</div>
514
- <div class=category_data>AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)</div>
515
- <div id='field' class='category'>Television broadcast stations:</div>
516
- <div class=category_data>25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)</div>
517
- <div id='field' class='category'>Internet country code:</div>
518
- <div class=category_data>.be</div>
519
- <div id='field' class='category'>Internet users:</div>
520
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>9.5 million</span></div>
521
- <div><span class=category>percent of population: </span><span class=category_data>84.7% (2014 est.)</span></div>
522
-
523
-
524
- <h2 sectiontitle='Transportation' ccode='be'>Transportation :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
525
- <div id='field' class='category'>Airports:</div>
526
- <div class=category_data>41 (2013)</div>
527
-
528
- <div id='field' class='category'>Airports - with paved runways:</div>
529
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>26</span></div>
530
- <div><span class=category>over 3,047 m: </span><span class=category_data>6</span></div>
531
- <div><span class=category>2,438 to 3,047 m: </span><span class=category_data>9</span></div>
532
- <div><span class=category>1,524 to 2,437 m: </span><span class=category_data>2</span></div>
533
- <div><span class=category>914 to 1,523 m: </span><span class=category_data>1</span></div>
534
- <div><span class=category>under 914 m: </span><span class=category_data>8 (2013)</span></div>
535
- <div id='field' class='category'>Airports - with unpaved runways:</div>
536
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>15</span></div>
537
- <div><span class=category>under 914 m: </span><span class=category_data></span></div>
538
- <div class=category_data>15 (2013)</div>
539
- <div id='field' class='category'>Heliports:</div>
540
- <div class=category_data>1 (2013)</div>
541
- <div id='field' class='category'>Pipelines:</div>
542
- <div class=category_data>gas 3,139 km; oil 154 km; refined products 535 km (2013)</div>
543
- <div id='field' class='category'>Railways:</div>
544
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>3,592 km</span></div>
545
- <div><span class=category>standard gauge: </span><span class=category_data>3,592 km 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) (2014)</span></div>
546
-
547
- <div id='field' class='category'>Roadways:</div>
548
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>154,012 km</span></div>
549
- <div><span class=category>paved: </span><span class=category_data>120,514 km (includes 1,756 km of expressways)</span></div>
550
- <div><span class=category>unpaved: </span><span class=category_data>33,498 km (2010)</span></div>
551
-
552
- <div id='field' class='category'>Waterways:</div>
553
- <div class=category_data>2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012)</div>
554
-
555
- <div id='field' class='category'>Merchant marine:</div>
556
- <div><span class=category>total: </span><span class=category_data>87</span></div>
557
- <div><span class=category>by type: </span><span class=category_data>bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7</span></div>
558
- <div><span class=category>foreign-owned: </span><span class=category_data>15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1)</span></div>
559
- <div><span class=category>registered in other countries: </span><span class=category_data>107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)</span></div>
560
-
561
- <div id='field' class='category'>Ports and terminals:</div>
562
- <div><span class=category>major seaport(s): </span><span class=category_data>Oostende, Zeebrugge</span></div>
563
- <div><span class=category>river port(s): </span><span class=category_data>Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River); Brussels (Senne River); Liege (Meuse River)</span></div>
564
- <div><span class=category>container port(s) (TEUs): </span><span class=category_data>Antwerp (8,664,243), Zeebrugge (2,207,257) (2011)</span></div>
565
- <div><span class=category>LNG terminal(s) (import): </span><span class=category_data>Zeebrugge</span></div>
566
-
567
- <h2 sectiontitle='Military' ccode='be'>Military :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
568
- <div id='field' class='category'>Military branches:</div>
569
- <div class=category_data>Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2012)</div>
570
- <div id='field' class='category'>Military service age and obligation:</div>
571
- <div class=category_data>18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)</div>
572
- <div id='field' class='category'>Manpower available for military service:</div>
573
- <div><span class=category>males age 16-49: </span><span class=category_data>2,359,232</span></div>
574
- <div><span class=category>females age 16-49: </span><span class=category_data>2,291,689 (2010 est.)</span></div>
575
- <div id='field' class='category'>Manpower fit for military service:</div>
576
- <div><span class=category>males age 16-49: </span><span class=category_data>1,934,957</span></div>
577
- <div><span class=category>females age 16-49: </span><span class=category_data>1,877,268 (2010 est.)</span></div>
578
- <div id='field' class='category'>Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:</div>
579
- <div><span class=category>male: </span><span class=category_data>59,665</span></div>
580
- <div><span class=category>female: </span><span class=category_data>57,142 (2010 est.)</span></div>
581
- <div id='field' class='category'>Military expenditures:</div>
582
- <div class=category_data>1% of GDP (2013)</div>
583
- <div class=category_data>1.05% of GDP (2012)</div>
584
- <div class=category_data>1.08% of GDP (2011)</div>
585
- <div class=category_data>1.05% of GDP (2010)</div>
586
-
587
-
588
- <h2 sectiontitle='Transnational Issues' ccode='be'>Transnational Issues :: <span class='region'>BELGIUM </span></h2>
589
- <div id='field' class='category'>Disputes - international:</div>
590
- <div class=category_data>none</div>
591
- <div id='field' class='category'>Refugees and internally displaced persons:</div>
592
- <div><span class=category>refugees (country of origin): </span><span class=category_data>5,038 (Afghanistan) (2014)</span></div>
593
- <div><span class=category>stateless persons: </span><span class=category_data>2,554 (2014)</span></div>
594
- <div id='field' class='category'>Illicit drugs:</div>
595
- <div class=category_data>growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy</div>
596
-