Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has about 50% more people than Belgium: 18.09 million against 11.94 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is about 85% larger than Belgium's, at $1.33T versus $725.47B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $60,750 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $725.47B | 2025 | $1.23T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.9% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,402 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,538 | $2,387 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 97% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 115 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.3 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in the Netherlands and 2.5% in Belgium.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $6,402 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.5 (the Netherlands) and 41.9 (Belgium).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 37% larger than Belgium: 41,850 km² versus 30,528 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
The Netherlands spends 2.7 times as much on defence as Belgium: $23.18B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Netherlands fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than Belgium?
- The Netherlands is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so the Netherlands is 37% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or Belgium?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $60,750. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or Belgium?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).