Updated
Overview
Belgium has 2.0 times the population of Denmark: 11.94 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is about 55% larger than Denmark's, at $725.47B versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $725.47B | $462.53B | 2025 | $664.56B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.5% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | Lower: 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $7,044 | $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 11.96 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 85 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.3 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 15,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Belgium and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belgium: a price level of 81 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $6,992 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.9 (Belgium) and 41.3 (Denmark).
Geography
By land area, Belgium is 29% smaller than Denmark: 30,528 km² versus 43,094 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 139.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $8.56B (Belgium) and $9.96B (Denmark).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Belgium fields the larger armed forces: 24,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than Denmark?
- Denmark is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Denmark is 41% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or Denmark?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $60,750. Total GDP tells a different story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).