Belgium, located in Western Europe, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and strategic location at the heart of the continent. The country is famous for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, and as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. Economically, Belgium benefits from a well-developed infrastructure and a strong industrial base, particularly in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries.
But what do global rankings and indices have to say about Belgium – its economic competitiveness, sustainability, soft power, country brand strength, and reputation?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Belgium’s soft power and country brand strength
- Its appeal to skilled labour, investors, and visitors
- The country’s global contribution to peace and well-being
- How well it fares in terms of happiness and sustainability
Belgium’s Soft Power and Brand Strength
In the Global Soft Power Index 2023 by Brand Finance, Belgium ranks 20th, maintaining its position from the previous year with a score increase of 4.00 points, indicating a stable and strong soft power presence.
In the U.S. News Best Countries 2023 ranking, Belgium is positioned 18th, showcasing strengths in Quality of Life (11th), Social Purpose (10th), and Open for Business (15th). However, it ranks lower in categories such as Movers (76th) and Heritage (42nd).
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brand Index (NBI) calculates its ranking based on averaging the scores of six factors: exports, governance, culture, people and immigration, and tourism. According to the NBI 2023 edition, Belgium secures the 19th position, maintaining its strong position from the previous ranking.
The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2023 shows that Belgium’s FDI Inflows for 2023 were valued at 23,019.00 million USD, marking an increase of 11,468.00 million USD. Meanwhile, FDI Outflows were 12,072.00 million USD, with a decrease of 8,239.00 million USD. These figures highlight Belgium’s dynamic role in global investment flows, both as a recipient and a source of foreign direct investment.
Appeal to Business, Trade, and Travel
The Expat Insider 2023 ranks Belgium 38th overall, with notable strengths in Healthcare (14th) and Working Abroad (21st). The country also performs well in Travel & Transit (31st) and Salary & Job Security (19th), making it an attractive destination for expatriates.
The Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking Trade Edition 2024-2025 places Belgium 56th globally and 22nd regionally, reflecting its competitive trade environment. In the Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking Tourism Edition 2024-2025, the country ranks 37th worldwide and 18th in Europe, indicating its appeal as a tourist destination.
In the IMD 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking, Belgium is positioned 18th. Despite dropping 5 positions, it remains notably strong in Economic Performance (17th) and Business Efficiency (17th), though it faces challenges in Government Efficiency (35th).
Belgium is classified as an Innovation Leader with a performance score of 14.09 in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023. The country excels in areas such as public-private co-publications, innovative SMEs collaborating with others, foreign doctorate students, international scientific co-publications, and government support for business R&D. However, it faces weaknesses in design applications, environment-related technologies, medium and high-tech goods exports, lifelong learning, and non-R&D innovation expenditures.
How “Good” is Belgium?
In the CAF World Giving Index 2023, Belgium ranked 55th, with 52% of the population helping a stranger and 50% donating money, but only 24% volunteering.
The Good Country Index places Belgium 7th overall, excelling in Culture (1st) and Prosperity and Equality (4th). However, it faces challenges in International Peace and Security (58th) and Planet and Climate (26th).
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2023, Belgium ranks 36th, ahead of Cyprus and Latvia (tied 37th), maintaining its position and reflecting a stable democratic environment.
The 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks Belgium 16th, indicating a strong performance in combating corruption despite a slight decline of two positions.
Peace and Happiness
The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks Belgium 16th, falling by two positions but still indicating a high level of peace and security. Regionally, Belgium is 11th.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 places Belgium at 51st, an improvement of 11 positions, highlighting its efforts in counter-terrorism.
The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks Belgium 16th, rising by one position, with overall life satisfaction within specific population groups being high. The highest levels of satisfaction are seen in the Lower Middle (15th) and the Upper Middle (13th).
Sustainability Performance
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 ranks Belgium 14th, with a score of 66.7, indicating strong environmental policies. Regionally, the country is ranked 12th.
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks Belgium 17th, a rise of two positions, highlighting stability and its achievements in SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The country still has challenges in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Talent Attraction and Competitiveness
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 ranks Belgium 16th, an improvement of one position, reflecting its attractiveness for talent in the high-income group.
Belgium has numerous prestigious universities according to the World University Rankings 2024 with one in the world’s Top 100. KU Leuven is ranked 45th, while Ghent University (115th) and the University of Antwerp (168th) maintain strong positions.
Last updated in July 2024. Explore more country profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Belgium’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
