Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 5.8 times the population of Belgium: 69.49 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 5.5 times the size of Belgium's, at $4.00T versus $725.47B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $725.47B | 2025 | $3.64T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,532 | $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 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 (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 2.5% in Belgium.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $3,567 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (the United Kingdom) and 41.9 (Belgium).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 8.0 times the size of Belgium: 242,900 km² versus 30,528 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 9.6 times as much on defence as Belgium: $81.76B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Kingdom carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than Belgium?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so the United Kingdom is 8.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Belgium?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Belgium?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).