Belgium - Market OverviewBelgium - Market Overview
Belgium is a compact and diverse market, sitting on the cultural and linguistic border of Germanic and Latin Europe. It is composed of the francophone Wallonia region to the south, the Dutch speaking Flanders region in the north, and the bilingual capital region of Brussels. There is also a small enclave of German speakers. This diversity makes it an ideal market for many U.S. firms to test their products before expanding distribution throughout Europe. With a population of 11.35 million people in a territory comparable in size to the state of Maryland, it is densely populated. It enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in Europe, with a relatively balanced income distribution, resulting in widely distributed purchasing power.
Belgium GDP was a total of $533 billion in 2018. Bilateral trade was worth over $56.1 billion for the year 2017. With its major ports (Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe) and excellent logistical infrastructure, a significant portion of bilateral trade either originates in, or is destined for, other countries in Europe. The U.S. ranked as Belgium’s fifth principal and most important non-EU trading partner; with Belgium ranking as the 10th largest recipient of U.S. exports in 2017.
Often referred to as “the capital of Europe”, the Belgian capital of Brussels is home to the headquarters of the European Union (EU) and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as hundreds of international institutions, associations and multinational corporations.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Belgium GDP was a total of $533 billion in 2018. Bilateral trade was worth over $56.1 billion for the year 2017. With its major ports (Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe) and excellent logistical infrastructure, a significant portion of bilateral trade either originates in, or is destined for, other countries in Europe. The U.S. ranked as Belgium’s fifth principal and most important non-EU trading partner; with Belgium ranking as the 10th largest recipient of U.S. exports in 2017.
Often referred to as “the capital of Europe”, the Belgian capital of Brussels is home to the headquarters of the European Union (EU) and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as hundreds of international institutions, associations and multinational corporations.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.