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Economy of Belgium vs Sweden compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has a GDP of $671B compared to $604B for Sweden, ranking 23/197 and 26/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belgium has $703B in government debt (104.7% of GDP), compared to $199B (33% of GDP) in Sweden.

Belgium vs Sweden GDP by year

Belgium
Sweden
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belgium Sweden
2024 $671,370,081,636 $603,715,224,266
2023 $651,330,595,110 $578,990,915,246
2022 $591,085,783,326 $575,071,237,641
2021 $598,522,422,242 $631,693,331,301
2020 $529,694,473,502 $544,265,668,452
2019 $536,726,344,405 $530,894,124,494
2018 $542,638,913,428 $549,649,344,043
2017 $500,908,767,352 $535,172,356,785
2016 $474,271,566,740 $513,058,312,951
2015 $461,044,767,545 $501,602,351,912
2014 $537,987,419,164 $577,727,767,304
2013 $524,097,026,599 $584,125,353,119
2012 $498,414,364,945 $549,739,674,655
2011 $527,196,649,049 $570,538,581,144
2010 $481,556,503,720 $492,750,897,239
2009 $485,014,525,992 $434,311,714,442
2008 $517,328,087,920 $514,614,100,833
2007 $470,922,156,309 $490,047,789,548
2006 $408,259,840,869 $422,528,394,459
2005 $385,714,762,230 $391,688,455,929
2004 $369,214,712,443 $384,545,442,175
2003 $318,082,528,507 $334,072,443,516
2002 $258,383,599,375 $267,371,907,447
2001 $236,746,141,604 $242,497,797,485
2000 $236,792,460,312 $262,903,560,280
1999 $258,245,733,221 $274,318,357,862
1998 $258,528,339,631 $270,887,306,759
1997 $252,708,051,421 $268,249,616,891
1996 $279,201,433,225 $291,949,597,375
1995 $288,025,588,396 $267,050,453,507
1994 $244,884,129,491 $228,699,066,874
1993 $224,721,795,709 $212,644,602,616
1992 $234,781,652,447 $283,908,914,454
1991 $210,510,999,409 $273,831,464,572
1990 $205,331,747,948 $261,466,577,009
1989 $164,221,056,511 $217,632,340,195
1988 $162,299,103,675 $206,686,590,776
1987 $149,394,404,106 $182,744,315,974
1986 $120,018,787,249 $150,279,869,729
1985 $86,268,264,148 $113,958,084,357
1984 $83,349,530,159 $109,043,045,407
1983 $87,184,239,053 $104,862,109,663
1982 $92,095,926,188 $114,214,731,799
1981 $104,730,018,470 $129,498,921,476
1980 $126,829,314,388 $141,886,067,004
1979 $116,315,456,797 $123,207,527,699
1978 $101,246,526,194 $104,290,933,496
1977 $82,839,905,459 $94,331,782,622
1976 $71,113,882,968 $89,232,517,046
1975 $65,678,189,097 $82,765,232,648
1974 $56,033,077,879 $65,917,634,590
1973 $47,743,801,490 $59,318,842,992
1972 $37,209,418,019 $48,883,173,400
1971 $29,821,661,870 $41,506,151,115
1970 $26,706,196,047 $38,037,226,668
1969 $24,019,653,475 $33,967,301,561
1968 $21,654,856,965 $31,277,871,669
1967 $20,252,508,995 $29,474,881,506
1966 $18,894,891,312 $27,154,716,721
1965 $17,597,783,297 $24,963,947,415
1964 $16,168,044,450 $22,685,490,195
1963 $14,445,805,381 $20,342,131,882
1962 $13,436,827,167 $18,794,066,990
1961 $12,561,701,694 $17,329,620,585
1960 $11,810,619,368 $15,930,075,467

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belgium vs Sweden by year

Belgium
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belgium Sweden
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,615 $73,514 $57,117 $71,845
2023 $55,291 $71,946 $54,950 $69,226
2022 $50,606 $69,128 $54,837 $67,076
2021 $51,658 $60,669 $60,648 $62,732
2020 $45,906 $56,120 $52,569 $57,489
2019 $46,717 $56,712 $51,649 $57,046
2018 $47,487 $52,467 $54,018 $53,122
2017 $44,035 $50,256 $53,210 $51,474
2016 $41,855 $48,415 $51,704 $50,290
2015 $40,894 $46,072 $51,188 $48,772
2014 $47,996 $45,148 $59,583 $46,841
2013 $46,965 $43,864 $60,844 $46,098
2012 $44,874 $42,484 $57,750 $45,207
2011 $47,761 $41,245 $60,379 $44,333
2010 $44,197 $39,840 $52,543 $41,951
2009 $44,923 $37,906 $46,708 $40,094
2008 $48,303 $37,883 $55,817 $41,907
2007 $44,319 $36,798 $53,568 $40,813
2006 $38,705 $35,251 $46,531 $37,672
2005 $36,810 $33,178 $43,378 $34,198
2004 $35,429 $32,060 $42,758 $33,805
2003 $30,655 $30,931 $37,292 $31,788
2002 $25,006 $30,282 $29,958 $30,987
2001 $23,015 $28,794 $27,259 $29,946
2000 $23,099 $27,794 $29,633 $29,636
1999 $25,253 $25,441 $30,969 $27,496
1998 $25,338 $24,370 $30,605 $25,897
1997 $24,821 $23,733 $30,324 $24,817
1996 $27,490 $22,745 $33,022 $23,952
1995 $28,414 $22,446 $30,254 $23,084
1994 $24,209 $21,518 $26,046 $21,835
1993 $22,284 $20,473 $24,390 $20,700
1992 $23,373 $20,272 $32,753 $20,767
1991 $21,042 $19,601 $31,777 $20,663
1990 $20,600 $18,688 $30,549 $20,357
1989 $16,525 - $25,625 -
1988 $16,391 - $24,499 -
1987 $15,136 - $21,761 -
1986 $12,170 - $17,955 -
1985 $8,751 - $13,647 -
1984 $8,457 - $13,080 -
1983 $8,846 - $12,590 -
1982 $9,344 - $13,719 -
1981 $10,623 - $15,564 -
1980 $12,864 - $17,073 -
1979 $11,811 - $14,856 -
1978 $10,290 - $12,602 -
1977 $8,427 - $11,432 -
1976 $7,243 - $10,853 -
1975 $6,701 - $10,103 -
1974 $5,734 - $8,078 -
1973 $4,901 - $7,291 -
1972 $3,832 - $6,018 -
1971 $3,083 - $5,125 -
1970 $2,766 - $4,729 -
1969 $2,490 - $4,263 -
1968 $2,251 - $3,953 -
1967 $2,114 - $3,746 -
1966 $1,983 - $3,478 -
1965 $1,860 - $3,228 -
1964 $1,724 - $2,961 -
1963 $1,555 - $2,675 -
1962 $1,457 - $2,485 -
1961 $1,368 - $2,304 -
1960 $1,290 - $2,128 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

Belgium's GDP per capita is $56,615, ranking 18/197, compared to $57,117 in Sweden, ranking 17/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belgium ranks 21st at $73,514, while Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845.

Economic indicators

Belgium Sweden
Gross domestic product
$671B
2024
$604B
2024
GDP rank
23/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP growth
1.07%
2023-2024
0.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,615
2024
$57,117
2024
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,514
2024
$71,845
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
21/197
2024
23/197
2024
Government debt
$703B
2024
$199B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
104.7%
2024
33%
2024
Government debt per person
$59,278
2024
$18,842
2024
Government debt per person rank
5/185
2024
32/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,259
2026
$42,066
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$321B
2018
$290B
2003
Number of millionaires
549,000
2025
490,000
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
45
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.2%
2023
22.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
49.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.14%
2023-2024
2.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.7%
2024
8.31%
2024
Population
11902714
10680056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belgium
Spending

Debt
Sweden
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belgium Sweden
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 54.5% 104.7% 49.3% 33%
2023 53.3% 103.2% 48.9% 31.8%
2022 52.3% 102.7% 48.3% 33.9%
2021 54.9% 108.5% 49.3% 37%
2020 58.5% 111.2% 52% 40.2%
2019 51.8% 97.6% 48.8% 35.8%
2018 52.5% 100.1% 49.8% 39.9%
2017 52.3% 102.5% 49.2% 41.6%
2016 53.4% 105.5% 49.5% 42.9%
2015 53.9% 105.6% 49.4% 44.5%
2014 55.4% 106.6% 50.7% 45.7%
2013 55.9% 105% 51.4% 40.8%
2012 56.2% 104.3% 50.2% 38%
2011 55% 102.7% 49.1% 37.7%
2010 53.9% 100.2% 49.7% 38.6%
2009 54.5% 99.9% 51.7% 41.2%
2008 50.8% 93.2% 49.4% 38%
2007 48.6% 87.3% 48.5% 39.2%
2006 48.8% 91.5% 50.1% 43.8%
2005 51.9% 95.1% 51.2% 48.9%
2004 49.3% 97.2% 51.7% 48.7%
2003 51% 101.7% 53% 49.4%
2002 49.9% 105.4% 52.7% 49.8%
2001 49.4% 108.2% 51.7% 52%
2000 49.4% 109.6% 52.2% 50.4%
1999 50.5% 115.4% 55.2% 60.3%
1998 51% 119.2% 55.6% 65.4%
1997 51.6% 124.3% 57.9% 67.7%
1996 53.1% 129% 60% 68.9%
1995 52.6% 131.3% 62.1% 68.7%
1994 54.7% 137.1% 65.3% 68.6%
1993 57.1% 138.9% 67.9% 66.1%
1992 55.9% 134.7% 66.5% 45.7%
1991 55.6% 131.8% 61.2% 40.2%
1990 54.4% 130.3% 57.5% 40.3%
1989 52.3% 126.4% 35.8% 44.8%
1988 53.9% 129.7% 37.9% 50.3%
1987 55.8% 129.2% 40.9% 56%
1986 57.6% 124.7% 42.1% 59.5%
1985 58.4% 119.4% 47.6% 61.2%
1984 59.1% 114.6% 46.7% 57.5%
1983 62.2% 110.3% 48.6% 54.5%
1982 59.6% 99.6% 46.4% 47.9%
1981 61.5% 89.7% 46.1% 41.5%
1980 54.9% 76.8% 41% 34.4%
1979 54.8% 69.2% 39.9% 28.3%
1978 52.8% 65.2% 39.1% 24%
1977 52.2% 61.6% 35.7% 21%
1976 50.4% 61.4% 32.3% 19%
1975 50.2% 59.5% 30.6% 19.9%
1974 44.5% 61.7% 30.1% 19.4%
1973 45% 63.7% 31.1% 18%
1972 45% 64.9% 31.9% 17.2%
1971 43.9% 63.5% 29.8% 16.9%
1970 42.7% 66.6% 29.5% 16.9%
1969 26.5% 51.6% 28.7% 17.6%
1968 26.7% 54.5% 28.3% 17.6%
1967 25.5% 54.1% 27.7% 16.1%
1966 25.1% 55.6% 26.5% 15.3%
1965 23.4% 57.6% 24.6% 17%
1964 22.5% 59.4% 23.4% 18.7%
1963 23.1% 64.1% 24.4% 20.7%
1962 22.5% 65.3% 23.4% 23%
1961 22.1% 67.8% 23.7% 26%
1960 23.7% 69.4% 24.4% 28.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government spending was $366B, accounting for 54.5% of its GDP, while Sweden spent $298B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 104.7% in Belgium and 33% in Sweden, ranking 19/185 and 148/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belgium

Sweden
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belgium Sweden
2024 -4.52% -1.72%
2023 -4.1% -0.63%
2022 -3.62% 1%
2021 -5.4% -0.15%
2020 -9.03% -3.18%
2019 -2.05% 0.44%
2018 -1.05% 0.67%
2017 -0.76% 1.29%
2016 -2.43% 0.86%
2015 -2.48% -0.27%
2014 -3.18% -1.84%
2013 -3.16% -1.63%
2012 -4.35% -1.19%
2011 -4.44% -0.41%
2010 -4.13% -0.14%
2009 -5.45% -0.89%
2008 -1.1% 1.87%
2007 0.07% 3.37%
2006 0.24% 2.2%
2005 -2.72% 2.08%
2004 -0.24% 0.17%
2003 -1.86% -1.25%
2002 -0.04% -1.46%
2001 0.23% 1.37%
2000 -0.08% 3.11%
1999 -0.65% 0.6%
1998 -1.03% 0.82%
1997 -2.15% -1.57%
1996 -4% -3.11%
1995 -4.51% -7.01%
1994 -5.29% -8.77%
1993 -7.71% -10.9%
1992 -8.42% -8.51%
1991 -7.67% 0.28%
1990 -6.99% 3.7%
1989 -7.58% 1.5%
1988 -7.28% -0.64%
1987 -7.89% -2%
1986 -9.96% -6.21%
1985 -10.1% -9.91%
1984 -10.8% -12.1%
1983 -14.5% -15.1%
1982 -12.3% -13.4%
1981 -15.5% -12.8%
1980 -9.43% -11.5%
1979 -8.33% -9.95%
1978 -6.51% -7.32%
1977 -6.51% -3.32%
1976 -6.61% -1.27%
1975 -6.45% -4.05%
1974 -3.87% -4.12%
1973 -5.02% -3.28%
1972 -6.07% -2.17%
1971 -4.45% -1.67%
1970 -3.51% -2.64%
1969 -3.34% -2.03%
1968 -3.69% -2.37%
1967 -2.76% -1.41%
1966 -3.08% -0.33%
1965 -2.9% -0.17%
1964 -2.27% -0.1%
1963 -2.8% 0.41%
1962 -2.12% 0.7%
1961 -2.34% 0.56%
1960 -4.89% -2.67%
1959 -5.21% -2.53%
1958 -4.33% -2.31%
1957 -1.27% -2.1%
1956 1.85% -1.21%
1955 -1.05% -1.72%
1954 2.34% -1.52%
1953 0.14% -2.47%
1952 -0.26% -0.16%
1951 0.59% -0.9%
1950 -2.01% -1.64%
1949 -2.05% -0.74%
1948 -2.29% 0.29%
1947 -14.5% -1.08%
1946 1.87% -0.61%
1945 - -8.04%
1944 - -8.66%
1943 -5.81% -10.7%
1942 - -11.8%
1941 - -13.1%
1940 - -8.16%
1939 -6.86% -1.13%
1938 -5.17% -0.07%
1937 -4.71% 0.46%
1936 -4.92% -0.64%
1935 -5.94% -2.19%
1934 -2.78% -1.88%
1933 -1.69% -4.1%
1932 - -1.56%
1931 - -0.05%
1930 -2.48% 0.09%
1929 - -0.39%
1928 - -0.06%
1927 3.06% -1.14%
1926 - -1.11%
1925 - -1.44%
1924 -5.53% -0.99%
1923 - -1.65%
1922 - -3.17%
1921 - -3.55%
1920 - -0.6%
1919 - 0.17%
1918 - -8.59%
1917 - -0.26%
1916 - -0.23%
1915 - -0.94%
1914 - -0.55%
1913 -1.4% -0.17%
1912 -1.39% -0.51%
1911 -0.92% -0.87%
1910 -0.18% -0.81%
1909 0.13% -2.08%
1908 -0.95% -2.27%
1907 -0.81% -0.68%
1906 -1.35% -0.66%
1905 1.23% -0.34%
1904 0.004% -0.56%
1903 0.08% 0.08%
1902 0.22% -1.57%
1901 0.55% -1.34%
1900 -0.54% -0.32%
1899 -1.64% 0.57%
1898 -0.28% 0.91%
1897 -0.25% 1.09%
1896 0.94% -0.59%
1895 -0.33% 1%
1894 0.06% 0.47%
1893 0.07% -0.49%
1892 0.17% -0.68%
1891 -0.005% -0.6%
1890 -0.83% 0.33%
1889 0.3% 0.19%
1888 -0.21% -0.05%
1887 -0.12% -1.5%
1886 0.54% -0.98%
1885 -0.43% -0.08%
1884 -0.26% 0.24%
1883 -0.54% 0.16%
1882 -0.3% 0.36%
1881 0.08% -0.17%
1880 0.12% -0.47%
1879 -1.51% -1.89%
1878 -1.78% -2.04%
1877 -2.52% -1.21%
1876 -0.77% -1.07%
1875 -0.88% -1.26%
1874 -1.02% -1.05%
1873 -2.08% 0.06%
1872 -0.7% -0.15%
1871 -0.64% 0.22%
1870 -0.58% -0.42%
1869 -0.35% -1.52%
1868 -0.39% -1.67%
1867 -0.49% -1.17%
1866 -0.87% -3.01%
1865 -0.55% -2.02%
1864 -0.62% -2.3%
1863 -0.72% -1.58%
1862 -0.49% -1.35%
1861 -0.22% -1.11%
1860 -0.13% -2.03%
1859 0.1% -2.17%
1858 0.35% -2.36%
1857 0% -0.62%
1856 -0.26% -0.08%
1855 -0.28% -0.09%
1854 -0.4% -0.19%
1853 -0.3% 0.17%
1852 -0.44% -0.31%
1851 -0.05% -0.07%
1850 -0.11% 0.004%
1849 0.11% 0.09%
1848 -1.41% 0.12%
1847 -0.69% 0.08%
1846 -0.52% 0.13%
1845 -1.17% 0.04%
1844 -4.92% 0.009%
1843 -0.86% 0.05%
1842 -0.89% -0.12%
1841 -0.75% 0.06%
1840 0.16% -0.01%
1839 -0.43% -0.006%
1838 0.23% 0.09%
1837 -0.11% -0.38%
1836 0.18% -0.08%
1835 0.27% 0.08%
1834 - -0.12%
1833 - 0.09%
1832 - 0.01%
1831 - -0.1%
1830 - -0.45%
1829 - 2.7%
1828 - 0.03%
1827 - -0.16%
1826 - 0.37%
1825 - 0.18%
1824 - -0.23%
1823 - 0.37%
1822 - -0.03%
1821 - -0.49%
1820 - 0.26%
1819 - 0.09%
1818 - 0.35%
1817 - 0.35%
1816 - 0.16%
1815 - 2.34%
1814 - -0.45%
1813 - -0.37%
1812 - 3.47%
1811 - -0.48%
1810 - -3.05%
1809 - -7.65%
1808 - -5.04%
1807 - 0.1%
1806 - 0.55%
1805 - 0.52%
1804 - -0.25%
1803 - 11.6%
1802 - 2.17%
1801 - 0.01%
1800 - -0.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

In 2024, Belgium's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.3B, equivalent to 4.52% of GDP. This compares to Sweden's deficit of $10.4B, or 1.72% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Belgium recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 45 years. On average, Belgium posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for Sweden.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belgium

Sweden
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belgium Sweden
2024 3.14% 2.84%
2023 4.05% 8.55%
2022 9.6% 8.37%
2021 2.44% 2.16%
2020 0.74% 0.5%
2019 1.44% 1.78%
2018 2.05% 1.95%
2017 2.13% 1.79%
2016 1.97% 0.98%
2015 0.56% -0.05%
2014 0.34% -0.18%
2013 1.11% -0.04%
2012 2.84% 0.89%
2011 3.53% 2.96%
2010 2.19% 1.16%
2009 -0.05% -0.49%
2008 4.49% 3.44%
2007 1.82% 2.21%
2006 1.79% 1.36%
2005 2.78% 0.45%
2004 2.1% 0.37%
2003 1.59% 1.93%
2002 1.65% 2.16%
2001 2.47% 2.41%
2000 2.54% 0.9%
1999 1.12% 0.46%
1998 0.95% -0.27%
1997 1.63% 0.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belgium has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.76% in Sweden. In 2024, inflation was 3.14% in Belgium and 2.84% in Sweden.

Top exports between countries

Belgium
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.26B
Chemicals & pharma $2.24B
Raw materials & minerals $856M
Textiles & consumer goods $527M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $519M
Transport & tourism services $489M
Business & finance services $484M
Metals $373M
Wood & paper products $161M
Raw agricultural goods $129M
Sweden
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.37B
Raw materials & minerals $1.67B
Chemicals & pharma $1.06B
Metals $877M
Transport & tourism services $648M
Business & finance services $538M
Wood & paper products $502M
IT & IP services $396M
Textiles & consumer goods $175M
Miscellaneous $157M

Balance of trade

Belgium Sweden
Current account balance
-$2.54B
2024
$35.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
151/190
2024
17/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.38%
2024
+5.92%
2024
Goods imports
$370B
2024
$188B
2024
Goods exports
$382B
2024
$218B
2024
Service imports
$164B
2024
$126B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2024
$116B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
51.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.3%
2024
54.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Belgium Sweden
Economic freedom 69.2 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 42/197 14/197
Property rights 91.1 96.2
Government integrity 78.2 91.6
Judicial effectiveness 91.6 95.6
Tax burden 50.6 51.6
Government spending 14.6 28.4
Fiscal health 53.4 97.5
Business freedom 82.5 84.8
Labor freedom 57.5 65.8
Monetary freedom 76.8 78.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 85 85
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belgium
Sweden
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belgium Sweden
2026 69.2 77.8
2025 69 77.9
2024 65.6 77.5
2023 67.1 77.5
2022 69.6 77.9
2021 70.1 74.7
2020 68.9 74.9
2019 67.3 75.2
2018 67.5 76.3
2017 67.8 74.9
2016 68.4 72
2015 68.8 72.7
2014 69.9 73.1
2013 69.2 72.9
2012 69 71.7
2011 70.2 71.9
2010 70.1 72.4
2009 72.1 70.5
2008 71.7 70.8
2007 72.5 69.3
2006 71.8 70.9
2005 69 69.8
2004 68.7 70.1
2003 68.1 70
2002 67.6 70.8
2001 63.8 66.6
2000 63.5 65.1
1999 62.9 64.2
1998 64.7 64
1997 64.6 63.3
1996 66 61.8
1995 - 61.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belgium is 69.2, ranking 42/197, compared to 77.8 for Sweden, ranking 14/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belgium Sweden
Services, % of GDP
71%
2024
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
21.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.79%
2024
1.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$656B
2024
$615B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,770
2024
$75,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$41.4B
2024
$62.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
49/177
2024
37/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$46.1B
2024
$2.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4B
2024
$27B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.71B
2024
$29.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.3%
2022
16.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
25.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belgium/sweden | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.