Politics and governmentPopulation and FamilyEconomy and industryWorkEducation and mediaScience and technologyEnvironment and energyInternational relations and national identitySecurityHealthAgriculture and FoodLeisure, culture and SportsLife World\nOECD members\nEU27\nEU+Japan\nEurope\n

Australia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n Choose a country to compare\n----------\nAustralia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n

All rankings including Belgium\nRankings in which Belgium is Top\nRankings in which Belgium is Top 1-3\nRankings in which Belgium is Bottom 1-3\nRankings in which Belgium is Bottom\nRankings in which Belgium is either Top or Bottom\nRankings in which Belgium is either Top3 or Bottom3\n

Election and Democracy> Belgium Voter turnout in the national election 88.4% (2019) [3/38countries] % of those who think that voting in elections is very important to be a good citizen 63.0% (2022) [15/17countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to vote in elections 5.33 (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who think that the last national election was fair regarding the opportunities of the candidates and parties to campaign 61.6% (2014) [10/26countries] % of those who think that referendums are a good way to decide important political questions 59.8% (2014) [20/26countries] % of those who are proud of their country in the way democracy works 59.7% (2013) [11/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy works well in their country today 5.47 (2014) [14/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy worked well in their country 10 years ago 5.88 (2014) [13/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy will work well in their country 10 years from now 4.71 (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who think that their country's political system needs major reform 74.7% (2021) [6/15countries] Extent to which people think it important that all citizens have an adequate standard of living 6.41 (2014) [14/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that government authorities respect and protect the rights of minorities 6.14 (2014) [8/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people be given more opportunities to participate in public decision-making 5.52 (2014) [23/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens may engage in acts of civil disobedience when they oppose government actions 4.30 (2014) [19/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that governments respect democratic rights whatever the circumstances 6.03 (2014) [16/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people convicted of serious crimes lose their citizen rights 5.78 (2014) [2/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that long-term residents of a country, who are not citizens, have the right to vote in that country�fs national elections 3.71 (2014) [17/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens have the right not to vote 4.55 (2014) [20/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that health care be provided for everyone 6.53 (2014) [15/26countries] Parliament> Belgium Inhabitants per parliamentarian 53,752 (As of August 2021) [18/38countries] % of women in parliament 42.67% (As of December 31, 2023) [10/38countries] % of MPs 40 years of age or younger 28.00% (As of December 31, 2023) [13/38countries] % of those who think that MPs try to keep the promises they have made during the election 19.0% (2016) [13/25countries] % of those who think that the parliament considers your action if you take action against an unjust or harmful law 11.5% (2014) [21/26countries] Politician> Belgium Women in ministerial positions (% of all ministers) 57.1% (As of 1 January 2023) [4/38countries] Average age of cabinet members 49.93 (2022) [30/38countries] % of those who trust politicians 21.0% (2014) [15/26countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for their own interest 50.5% (2014) [15/26countries] % of those who think that many politicians are involved in corruption 36.1% (2016) [15/25countries] Political party and organization> Belgium % of those who think that political parties encourage people to become active in politics 15.3% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that political parties do not give voters real policy choices 60.0% (2014) [5/26countries] % of those who belong to a political party 6.9% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who think that people who vote for the party/the parties in government have the most influence on the actions of the government 10.8% (2016) [17/25countries] % of those who think that the conflicts between people who support different political parties are strong in their country 55.1% (2022) [13/17countries] % of those who think that the conflicts between people who support different political parties are strong in the United States 83.3% (2022) [9/17countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to be active in social or political associations 3.84 (2014) [17/26countries] Political awareness> Belgium Degree of interest in politics (5 steps) 3.15 (2016) [11/24countries] % of those interested in politics (4 choices) 49.2% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is left 14.4% (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is center 45.9% (2014) [14/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is right 15.5% (2014) [18/26countries] Average of political position 5.11 (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 59.1% (2014) [9/26countries] % of young people (-29) who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 50.4% (2014) [10/26countries] % of those who read the political content of a newspaper every day 31.9% (2014) [7/18countries] % of those who never read the political content of a newspaper 21.0% (2014) [12/18countries] % of those who use the media to obtain political news or information every day 78.5% (2014) [5/26countries] % of those who never use the media to obtain political news or information 4.4% (2014) [12/26countries] % of those who watch political news on television every day 38.7% (2014) [16/18countries] % of those who never watch political news on television 12.7% (2014) [4/18countries] % of those who listen to political news on the radio every day 34.1% (2014) [4/18countries] % of those who never listen to political news on the radio 22.7% (2014) [14/18countries] % of those who use the Internet to obtain political news or information every day 31.7% (2014) [3/17countries] % of those who never use the Internet to obtain political news or information 32.4% (2014) [14/17countries] % of those who think that following what is happening in politics in their country is very important to be a good citizen 39.8% (2022) [15/17countries] % of those who have expressed political views on the internet 14.1% (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes try to persuade your friends, relatives or fellow workers to share their political opinion 41.2% (2014) [6/26countries] % of those who think that others are better informed about politics and government 21.8% (2014) [18/26countries] % of those who think that they understand political issues of the country 54.5% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those who think that people have an influence on politics 25.3% (2022) [15/17countries] % of those who think that citizens in general has the most influence on the actions of the government 6.3% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who do not think that the government cares much what people like them think 61.7% (2014) [9/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to keep watch on the actions of government 4.93 (2014) [23/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to try to understand the reasoning of people with other opinions 5.55 (2014) [17/26countries] Political action> Belgium % of those who would take action when the parliament considers an unjust or harmful law 37.5% (2014) [10/26countries] % of those who have attempted to contact a politician or a civil servant to express their views 24.4% (2014) [6/26countries] % of those who have donated money or raised funds for a social or political activity 44.4% (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who have signed a petition 75.0% (2014) [2/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to choose products for political, ethical or environmental reasons, even if they cost a bit more 4.29 (2014) [22/26countries] % of those who have attended a political meeting 26.6% (2014) [12/26countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise public meetings to protest against the government 89.5% (2016) [11/25countries] % of those who have attended demonstrations 37.4% (2014) [3/26countries] % of those who think that joining demonstrations about issues you think are important is very important to be a good citizen 21.1% (2022) [11/17countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise protest marches and demonstrations 82.7% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to hold public meetings 55.5% (2016) [17/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by force should be allowed to hold public meetings 9.9% (2014) [20/26countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to publish books expressing their views 69.3% (2016) [11/25countries] Public officials> Belgium Employment in general government as % of total employment 18.38% (2021) [15/34countries] % of those who trust in civil servants 25.2% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those who think that the public service is committed to serve the people 63.3% (2014) [11/25countries] % of those who think that few public officials are involved in corruption 49.2% (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who think that many public officials are involved in corruption 22.9% (2016) [14/25countries] % of those who say that they or their family have never come across a public official who hinted/ wanted a bribe in the last five years 81.5% (2016) [17/25countries] Public finance> Belgium General government expenditures as % of GDP 54.8% (2023) [4/38countries] General government primary net lending/borrowing as % of GDP -3.1% (2023) [30/38countries] General government gross debt as % of GDP 104.5% (2023) [8/38countries] % of those who are in favour of cuts in government spending 73.9% (2016) [8/25countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of GDP 1.0% (2022) [22/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of GDP 1.7% (2022) [14/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of GDP 6.4% (2022) [8/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of GDP 1.2% (2022) [2/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of GDP 0.4% (2022) [26/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of GDP 8.1% (2022) [9/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of GDP 1.2% (2022) [13/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of GDP 6.3% (2022) [3/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of GDP 20.3% (2022) [6/32countries] Tax> Belgium General government revenues as % of GDP 50.1% (2023) [4/38countries] Value Added Tax/ General Sales Tax - Rates 21.0% (2022) [13/36countries] Corporate income tax rate (central + sub-central) 25.00% (2024) [16/36countries] Taxes on income, profits and capital gains, % of GDP 15.2% (2021) [9/38countries] Social security contributions, % of GDP 13.0% (2021) [10/38countries] Taxes on property, % of GDP 3.6% (2021) [7/38countries] Taxes on goods and services, % of GDP 10.7% (2021) [23/38countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, never to try to evade taxes 5.88 (2014) [23/26countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often make sure people pay their taxes 87.1% (2016) [3/25countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often treat everyone in accordance with the law, regardless of their contacts or position in society 56.6% (2016) [8/25countries] Social security> Belgium % of those who are proud of their country in its social security system 86.1% (2013) [3/26countries] % of those who would like to see more government spending in old age pensions 62.6% (2016) [14/25countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a decent standard of living for the old 95.5% (2016) [14/25countries] % of those who think "government agencies should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 29.3% (2012) [20/31countries] % of those who think that the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of the help to elderly people 53.3% (2012) [22/31countries] Maternal leave benefits (% of wages) 77 (2017) [24/32countries] % of those who think that 1-6 months of paid parental leave is necessary 45.5% (2012) [10/31countries] % of those who think that 7-12 months of paid parental leave is necessary 23.7% (2012) [21/31countries] % of those who think that 13-36 months of paid parental leave is necessary 5.6% (2012) [21/31countries] % of those who think that the government should pay for parental leave 41.5% (2012) [17/31countries] % of those who think that the employer should pay for parental leave 4.1% (2012) [19/31countries] % of those who think that both the government and the employer should pay for parental leave 51.1% (2012) [13/31countries] % of those who think the employers should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 5.4% (2012) [6/31countries] % of those who think the family itself should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 57.9% (2012) [14/31countries] % of those who think the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 36.7% (2012) [21/31countries] % of those who think government agencies should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 17.5% (2012) [23/31countries] % of those who think that the government should spend less on benefits for the poor 8.5% (2009) [21/30countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing decent housing for those who can't afford it 82.2% (2016) [11/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to help people in the country who are worse off than themselves 5.13 (2014) [22/26countries] Law and Justice> Belgium % of those who think that it is worse to convict an innocent person than to let a guilty person go free 66.2% (2016) [21/25countries] % of those who follow conscience rather than law on occasions (2 choices) 56.6% (2016) [14/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to obey laws and regulations 5.95 (2014) [21/26countries]