Key data about Belgium
![Belgium](https://www.expat.com/upload/guide/1535709619-key-data-on-belgium-news_item_slider-t1535709619.jpg)
Belgium is the country of comic books, French fries, and beer. It is a great place to live in. Despite their rainy climate, Belgians are known for their hospitality, good mood, and optimism.
The Flat Country is full of opportunities for foreigners and a genuine change of scenery. Brussels is the heart of European institutions and has a perfect mix of Flemish and Walloon influences. Bruges is known as Northern Venice, and Anvers and Gand are two cultural cities. Belgium's history makes the country equally multicultural and unified, and it can be your best trip.
Most dynamic cities:
Brussels, Liege
Political regime:
Federal and parliamentary monarchy
Currency:
Euro
Number of inhabitants:
11.7 million (Statbel)
Part of foreigners in the entire population:
13.4% (Statbel)
Number of French-speaking:
8 million (International Organisation of La Francophonie)
Number of Expat.com members:
51,457 (Expat.com)
Life expectancy:
81.7 (Statbel)
Happiness ranking:
17th country on 137 (United Nations)
Human Development Index:
13th country on 191 (United Nations Development Program)
Did you know?
Comic books in Belgium are considered a fully-fledged art. Hergé, Franquin, Edgar P, Jacobs, Peyo, Jean Van Hamme, Hermann, and many more are all Belgian authors.
Quote from one of Expat.com members
Amath: 'Belgium is very surprising: its quality of life, its people's friendliness, and above all, Belgians' sense of humor'.