Updated
Overview
China has 118 times the population of Belgium: 1.41 billion people against 11.94 million (2025).
China's economy is 27 times the size of Belgium's, at $19.50T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $725.47B | 2025 | $18.74T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.5% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $7,044 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 11.94 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 96% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Belgium runs the hotter price environment: 2.5% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 41.9 (Belgium).
Life expectancy is 4.3 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 78.0).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 314 times the size of Belgium: 9,596,960 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 147.
Military
China spends 37 times as much on defence as Belgium: $313.66B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Belgium?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so China is 314 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Belgium?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Belgium?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).