Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 8.5 times the population of Belgium: 101.60 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is about 40% larger than Vietnam's, at $725.47B versus $514.70B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $725.47B | 2025 | $476.39B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 3.6% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 81 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $7,044 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $8.56B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.3% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 7.6 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 74.7).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 11 times the size of Belgium: 331,212 km² versus 30,528 km².
Military
Belgium spends about 55% more on defence than Vietnam: $8.56B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Belgium?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Vietnam is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Belgium?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Belgium?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).