Updated
Overview
Taiwan has 2.0 times the population of Belgium: 23.30 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Taiwan's economy is 27% larger than Belgium's, at $920.05B versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $39,489 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Taiwan | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $920.05B | $725.47B | 2025 | $611.39B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $39,489 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.7% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.7% | 2.5% | 2025 | 2.2% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.4% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 81 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $7,044 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,387 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.42 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 23.30 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 23.60 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | — | 0.7% | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.8 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.86 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | — | 82.3 yrs | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | — | 88% | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | — | 96% | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 36,193 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 643.7/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 262 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | — | $8.56B | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | — | 1.3% | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | — | 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
Taiwan is growing much faster: 8.7% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in Taiwan and 2.5% in Belgium.
People and society
Belgium is the younger society: median age 41.9 versus 44.8 years.
Geography
By land area, Taiwan is 19% larger than Belgium: 36,193 km² versus 30,528 km².
Frequently asked
- Is Taiwan bigger than Belgium?
- Taiwan is larger by land area. Taiwan covers 36,193 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Taiwan is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Taiwan or Belgium?
- Taiwan has the larger population: 23.30 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Taiwan richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $39,489. Total GDP tells a different story: $920.05B for Taiwan versus $725.47B for Belgium.