Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia has 3.1 times the population of Belgium: 36.97 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is about 75% larger than Belgium's, at $1.28T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $34,537 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.28T | $725.47B | 2025 | $1.24T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $34,537 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.5% | 2025 | 1.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,799 | Higher: $7,044 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,067 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 79.0 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing much faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $1,799 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.3 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 79.0).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 70 times the size of Belgium: 2,149,690 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 9.4 times as much on defence as Belgium: $80.33B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than Belgium?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Saudi Arabia is 70 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or Belgium?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $34,537. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or Belgium?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).