Updated
Overview
Italy has 4.9 times the population of Belgium: 58.92 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 3.5 times the size of Belgium's, at $2.55T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $725.47B | 2025 | $2.37T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 2.5% | 2025 | 1.0% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,387 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 (0.5% for Italy, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Italy: a price level of 69 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $3,994 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Belgium is the younger society: median age 41.9 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 82.3).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 9.9 times the size of Belgium: 301,336 km² versus 30,528 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 196.
Military
Italy spends 4.4 times as much on defence as Belgium: $37.96B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Belgium?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Italy is 9.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Belgium?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Belgium?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).