Updated
Overview
France has 5.8 times the population of Belgium: 68.72 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
France's economy is 4.6 times the size of Belgium's, at $3.37T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $725.47B | 2025 | $3.16T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 2.5% | 2025 | 2.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $5,024 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,036 | Higher: $2,387 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 264 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.8% for France, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.9% in France and 2.5% in Belgium.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $5,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.3 (France) and 41.9 (Belgium).
Geography
By land area, France is 21 times the size of Belgium: 643,801 km² versus 30,528 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends 7.6 times as much on defence as Belgium: $64.68B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Belgium?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so France is 21 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or Belgium?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $48,986. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.37T for France versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Belgium?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).