Belgium
- Abstract
- Summary
- Comparative Statistical Analysis
- Strengths and Weakness
- Instruments ratifications
- Historical Data
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Wikipedia Country Information
Belgium (Dutch: België [ˈbɛlɣijə] (listen); French: Belgique [bɛlʒik] (listen); German: Belgien [ˈbɛlɡi̯ən] (listen)), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Western Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,689 km2 (11,849 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe, with a density of 376 per square kilometre (970/sq mi). The capital and largest city is Brussels; other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.
Belgium is a sovereign state and a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Its institutional organization is complex and is structured on both regional and linguistic grounds. It is divided into three highly autonomous regions: the Flemish Region (Flanders) in the north, the Walloon Region (Wallonia) in the south, and the Brussels-Capital Region. Brussels is the smallest and most densely populated region, as well as the richest region in terms of GDP per capita.
Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups or communities: the Dutch-speaking Flemish Community, which constitutes about 60 percent of the population, and the French-speaking Community, which constitutes about 40 percent of the population. A small German-speaking Community, numbering around one percent, exists in the East Cantons. The Brussels-Capital Region is officially bilingual in French and Dutch, although French is the dominant language. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its political history and complex system of governance, made up of six different governments.
Belgium is part of an area known as the Low Countries, a somewhat larger region than the current Benelux group of states that also historically included parts of northern France and western Germany. Its modern name is derived from the Latin word Belgium, used in Julius Caesar's "Gallic Wars", to describe the region in the period around 55 BCE. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, the area of Belgium was a prosperous and cosmopolitan centre of commerce and culture. Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Belgium served as the battleground between many European powers, earning the moniker the "Battlefield of Europe", a reputation strengthened in the 20th century by both world wars. The country emerged in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution, when it seceded from the Netherlands.
Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa. The second half of the 20th century was marked by rising tensions between the Dutch-speaking and the French-speaking citizens fuelled by differences in language and culture and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia. This continuing antagonism has led to several far-reaching reforms, resulting in a transition from a unitary to a federal arrangement during the period from 1970 to 1993. Despite the reforms, tensions between the groups have remained, if not increased; there is significant separatism particularly among the Flemish; controversial language laws exist such as the municipalities with language facilities; and the formation of a coalition government took 18 months following the June 2010 federal election, a world record. Unemployment in Wallonia is more than double that of Flanders, which boomed after the war.Belgium is one of the six founding countries of the European Union and its capital, Brussels, hosts the official seats of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council, as well as one of two seats of the European Parliament (the other being Strasbourg). Belgium is also a founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD, and WTO, and a part of the trilateral Benelux Union and the Schengen Area. Brussels hosts the headquarters of many major international organizations such as NATO.Belgium is a developed country, with an advanced high-income economy. It has very high standards of living, quality of life, healthcare, education, and is categorized as "very high" in the Human Development Index. It also ranks as one of the safest or most peaceful countries in the world.
Instruments ratified: | 199 / 282 |
---|---|
World Average Ratifications: | 114 / 282 |
Ratification rate: | 70.16% |
World Average Rate: | 41.25% |
Weighted score: | 73.67% |
World Average Weighted Score: | 41.25% |
World rank: | 3 / 194 |
Developed country rank: | 3 / 30 |
Developed country Avg. Ratifications: | 159 / 282 |
Europe Union rank: | 3 / 28 |
Europe Union Avg. Ratifications: | 180 / 282 |
Western Europe rank: | 2 / 10 |
Western Europe Avg. Ratifications: | 169 / 282 |
CONTRACTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agency | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 8 | Weak |
Conflict of laws | 1/7 (14.29%) | 0.00% | 3.00% | 27 | Weak |
E-commerce | 0/3 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 70 | Weak |
Franchising | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Leasing/Factoring | 1/2 (50.00%) | 50.00% | 5.00% | 8 | Strong |
Principles, trade usages and standards | 0/2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Procurement | 0/4 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 31 | Weak |
Sale of Goods | 5/5 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 25.00% | 1 | Strong |
Travel contracts | 0/1 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 7 | Weak |
Total | 7 | 20.29% | 9.00% | 20 | Strong |
CUSTOMS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Customs Codification | 2/3 (66.67%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Customs Cooperation | 2/6 (33.33%) | 40.00% | 26.00% | 48 | Strong |
Exemption from Duties | 6/9 (66.67%) | 66.67% | 30.00% | 23 | Strong |
Temporary Admission | 9/11 (81.82%) | 91.18% | 28.00% | 9 | Strong |
Transit | 3/4 (75.00%) | 100.00% | 28.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 22 | 77.17% | 31.00% | 12 | Strong |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Arbitration | 5/6 (83.33%) | 75.00% | 32.00% | 2 | Strong |
Judicial cooperation | 3/5 (60.00%) | 57.89% | 36.00% | 55 | Strong |
Recognition of foreign judgments | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 6 | Weak |
State court jurisdiction | 2/4 (50.00%) | 100.00% | 14.00% | 1 | Strong |
State court procedure | 0/1 | 0.00% | 6.00% | 12 | Weak |
State immunities | 0/1 | 0.00% | 11.00% | 22 | Weak |
Total | 10 | 62.00% | 29.00% | 27 | Strong |
ENVIRONMENT AND PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air | 4/5 (80.00%) | 80.00% | 86.00% | 59 | Weak |
Chemicals | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Energy | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 25.00% | 1 | Strong |
Flora and fauna | 9/10 (90.00%) | 93.48% | 68.00% | 4 | Strong |
Foodstuff | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 79.00% | 1 | Strong |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
International watercourses | 0/1 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 36 | Weak |
Maritime and Law of the Sea | 22/26 (84.62%) | 82.61% | 46.00% | 21 | Strong |
Protected geographical areas | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 27.00% | 1 | Strong |
Waste | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 43 | 86.98% | 61.00% | 14 | Strong |
FINANCE, PAYMENTS AND INSOLVENCY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Assignment of receivables | 0/1 | 0.00% | 1.00% | 2 | Weak |
Bankruptcy and insolvency | 0/1 | 0.00% | 21.00% | 41 | Weak |
Bills of exchange and promissory notes | 3/4 (75.00%) | 50.00% | 8.00% | 1 | Strong |
Cheques | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 13.00% | 1 | Strong |
Credit transfers | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
International guarantees | 0/3 | 0.00% | 20.00% | 75 | Weak |
Total | 6 | 24.39% | 12.00% | 32 | Strong |
GOOD GOVERNANCE | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Corruption | 3/4 (75.00%) | 75.00% | 50.00% | 6 | Strong |
Cultural Property | 3/4 (75.00%) | 68.75% | 54.00% | 38 | Strong |
Drugs | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
Insider Trading | 0/1 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 9 | Weak |
Organized crime | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 80.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 11 | 82.69% | 68.00% | 30 | Strong |
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOUR STANDARDS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Human Rights | 7/7 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 96.00% | 1 | Weak |
Labour Standards | 8/8 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 86.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 15 | 100.00% | 91.00% | 1 | Average |
INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Dispute Resolution | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 39.00% | 1 | Strong |
International Trade Law | 10/10 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 73.00% | 1 | Strong |
Trade support institutions | 6/6 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 51.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 17 | 100.00% | 63.00% | 1 | Strong |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Broadcasting | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 47.00% | 1 | Strong |
Copyright | 2/3 (66.67%) | 90.91% | 65.00% | 48 | Strong |
Industrial designs | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 31.00% | 1 | Strong |
Integrated circuits | 0/1 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 4 | Weak |
Neighboring Rights | 2/3 (66.67%) | 76.92% | 46.00% | 61 | Strong |
Origin | 0/3 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 51 | Weak |
Patents | 4/5 (80.00%) | 85.71% | 57.00% | 30 | Strong |
Trademarks | 5/6 (83.33%) | 95.45% | 33.00% | 10 | Strong |
Varieties of plants | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 37.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 17 | 81.05% | 42.00% | 27 | Strong |
INVESTMENTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Investment disputes | 1/2 (50.00%) | 50.00% | 39.00% | 2 | Strong |
Investment guaranty | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 66.67% | 57.00% | 2 | Strong |
PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Marine Resources | 0/1 | 0.00% | 24.00% | 48 | Weak |
Timber | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 31.00% | 1 | Strong |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 92.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 76.92% | 53.00% | 23 | Strong |
TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air transport | 5/7 (71.43%) | 90.48% | 59.00% | 4 | Strong |
Aircrafts and civil aviation | 7/9 (77.78%) | 92.00% | 74.00% | 11 | Strong |
Maritime shipping and load lines | 11/13 (84.62%) | 94.29% | 66.00% | 11 | Strong |
Maritime transport | 7/12 (58.33%) | 54.17% | 27.00% | 9 | Strong |
Multi modal transport | 0/2 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 15 | Weak |
Rail transport | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 22.00% | 1 | Strong |
Road transport | 4/4 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 31.00% | 1 | Strong |
Space | 4/4 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 40.00% | 1 | Strong |
Telecommunications | 1/2 (50.00%) | 83.33% | 47.00% | 26 | Strong |
Total | 42 | 86.49% | 50.00% | 2 | Strong |
TREATIES LAW | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
General | 2/4 (50.00%) | 66.67% | 30.00% | 11 | Strong |
Total | 2 | 66.67% | 30.00% | 11 | Strong |
WTO | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Plurilateral Agreements | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 18.00% | 1 | Strong |
WTO Agreements | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 81.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 3 | 100.00% | 47.00% | 1 | Strong |
Strong | |
---|---|
Contracts | Leasing/Factoring |
Contracts | Sale of Goods |
Customs | Customs Codification |
Customs | Customs Cooperation |
Customs | Exemption from Duties |
Customs | Temporary Admission |
Customs | Transit |
Dispute resolution | Arbitration |
Dispute resolution | Judicial cooperation |
Dispute resolution | State court jurisdiction |
Environment and products | Chemicals |
Environment and products | Energy |
Environment and products | Flora and fauna |
Environment and products | Foodstuff |
Environment and products | Maritime and Law of the Sea |
Environment and products | Protected geographical areas |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bills of exchange and promissory notes |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Cheques |
Good Governance | Corruption |
Good Governance | Cultural Property |
Good Governance | Organized crime |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Labour Standards |
Institutional Participation | Dispute Resolution |
Institutional Participation | International Trade Law |
Institutional Participation | Trade support institutions |
Intellectual property | Broadcasting |
Intellectual property | Copyright |
Intellectual property | Industrial designs |
Intellectual property | Neighboring Rights |
Intellectual property | Patents |
Intellectual property | Trademarks |
Intellectual property | Varieties of plants |
Investments | Investment disputes |
Products | Timber |
Transport and telecommunications | Air transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Aircrafts and civil aviation |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime shipping and load lines |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Rail transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Road transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Space |
Transport and telecommunications | Telecommunications |
Treaties law | General |
WTO | Plurilateral Agreements |
WTO | WTO Agreements |
Average | |
Contracts | Franchising |
Contracts | Principles, trade usages and standards |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Credit transfers |
Weak | |
Contracts | Agency |
Contracts | Conflict of laws |
Contracts | E-commerce |
Contracts | Procurement |
Contracts | Travel contracts |
Dispute resolution | Recognition of foreign judgments |
Dispute resolution | State court procedure |
Dispute resolution | State immunities |
Environment and products | Air |
Environment and products | General |
Environment and products | International watercourses |
Environment and products | Waste |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Assignment of receivables |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bankruptcy and insolvency |
Finance, payments and insolvency | International guarantees |
Good Governance | Drugs |
Good Governance | Insider Trading |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Human rights |
Intellectual property | Integrated circuits |
Intellectual property | Origin |
Investments | Investment guaranty |
Products | General |
Products | Marine Resources |
Transport and telecommunications | Multi modal transport |
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