Updated
Overview
Russia has 12 times the population of Belgium: 143.51 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 3.5 times the size of Belgium's, at $2.56T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $725.47B | 2025 | $2.17T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 81 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $7,044 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 1.0% for Belgium).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 41.9 (Belgium).
Life expectancy is 8.9 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 73.4).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 560 times the size of Belgium: 17,098,242 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 17 times as much on defence as Belgium: $148.97B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Belgium?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Russia is 560 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Belgium?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Belgium?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).