Updated
Overview
Belgium has 17 times the population of Luxembourg: 11.94 million people against 686,970 (2025).
Belgium's economy is 7.2 times the size of Luxembourg's, at $725.47B versus $101.16B.
Per person, Luxembourg is the wealthier of the two: $147,252 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | Luxembourg | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $725.47B | $101.16B | 2025 | $664.56B / $93.20B |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 | Higher: $147,252 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.5% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 3.1% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.9% | 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $7,044 | Higher: $9,150 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | Higher: $3,056 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 686,970 | 2025 | 11.96 million / 671,254 |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 39.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 1.40 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 95% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 99% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 2,586 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 265.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 85 Mt | Lower: 7.04 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.3 t | 10.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $871.64M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 1,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Belgium, 0.6% for Luxembourg).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Belgium and 2.3% in Luxembourg.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belgium: a price level of 81 versus 94 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Luxembourg: $9,150 against $7,044 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Luxembourg is the younger society: median age 39.5 versus 41.9 years.
Geography
By land area, Belgium is 12 times the size of Luxembourg: 30,528 km² versus 2,586 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Belgium spends 9.8 times as much on defence as Luxembourg: $8.56B versus $871.64M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Belgium fields the larger armed forces: 24,000 personnel against 1,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than Luxembourg?
- Belgium is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while Luxembourg covers 2,586 km², so Belgium is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or Luxembourg?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 686,970 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than Luxembourg?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Luxembourg is richer: $147,252 against $60,750. Total GDP tells a different story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $101.16B for Luxembourg.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or Luxembourg?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $871.64M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).