Updated
Overview
Brazil has 18 times the population of Belgium: 212.81 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 3.1 times the size of Belgium's, at $2.28T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $725.47B | 2025 | $2.18T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 24,000 | 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
Brazil is growing faster: 2.3% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the younger society: median age 34.8 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.3 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 76.0).
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 279 times the size of Belgium: 8,515,767 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Belgium: $20.95B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Belgium?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Brazil is 279 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Belgium?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Belgium?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).