Updated
Overview
Belgium has 2.0 times the population of Singapore: 11.94 million people against 6.11 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is 20% larger than Singapore's, at $725.47B versus $603.87B.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $725.47B | $603.87B | 2025 | $664.56B / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $60,750 | Higher: $98,814 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.5% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.1% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $7,044 | $3,483 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 11.96 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 96% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 85 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.3 t | 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $15.06B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 59,000 | 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
Singapore is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Belgium and 0.9% in Singapore.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Singapore: a price level of 60 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $3,483 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Singapore is the younger society: median age 36.2 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in Singapore (83.3 vs 82.3).
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 88%.
Geography
By land area, Belgium is 42 times the size of Singapore: 30,528 km² versus 719 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 391.
Military
Singapore spends about 75% more on defence than Belgium: $15.06B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Singapore carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Singapore fields the larger armed forces: 59,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than Singapore?
- Belgium is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so Belgium is 42 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or Singapore?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $60,750. Total GDP tells a different story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or Singapore?
- Singapore spends more: $15.06B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).