Avoid sneezing and blowing your nose in close proximity to others. Resolution of insolvency has been made easier. Corruption is relatively rare in Belgium and is most serious in government procurement and public works contracting. Tax Burden 46.7 Create a Graph using this measurement, Government Spending 17.2 Create a Graph using this measurement, Fiscal Health 77.0 Create a Graph using this measurement. Belgium’s economy has been trapped in the moderately free category for nearly a decade, having fallen from the mostly free rank it held earlier. Its overall score has increased by 1.6 points, led by an increase in the government integrity score. Belgium held federal, regional, and European elections in May 2019. 1. Between 1970 and 1993, the country evolved into a more efficient federal structure. The second line of state reform was historically inspired by economic interests. See how Belgium compares to another country using any of the measures in the Index. The country is further divided into 10 provinces and 581 municipal councils. We divulge 12 fun facts about Belgium’s tricolour. Home | Country Rankings | Graph The Data | Heat MapExplore the Data | Downloads | FAQs| About The Index. The monarch is hereditary. The redistribution of power occurred along two lines. It was formally designated as a constitutional court in 2007. There's much more to Belgium than beer, chocolate, and waffles. Its overall score has increased by 1.6 points, led by an increase in the government integrity score. The political and economic situation is good. © 2020 by The Heritage Foundation. Belgium became independent in 1830. Belgium sits across the fault line that separates German and Latin cultures. The Belgian Franc was replaced by the Euro in 2002. Belgium … A basically stable and efficient business environment nonetheless leaves room for improvement. A symbol of independence. The banking sector has undergone restructuring, and the overall financial system remains stable. Education in Belgium is compulsory up to 18 years of age. It is a tricolor with black, yellow and red vertical strips. Belgium Facts. Belgium’s economic freedom score is 68.9, making its economy the 48th freest in the 2020 Index. The services sector accounts for a large portion of GDP in the export-driven economy. Significant fragmentation of the labor market continues. Between 1970 and 1993, the country evolved into a more efficient federal structure. Belgium is ranked 26th among 45 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score almost matches the regional average and is well above the world average. So no worries, I didn't forget about Adolphe Sax. However, the communities and the regions also have the power to establish and maintain foreign relations. In the federal elections, the center-right New Flemish Alliance won the most seats in a fractured parliament. Belgium boasts a dense network of rails and roadways and Europe’s second-busiest port, Antwerp. Belgium is a federal state with three culturally different regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and the capital city of Brussels, which hosts the headquarters of NATO and the European Union. Business Freedom 75.2 Create a Graph using this measurement, Labor Freedom 61.1 Create a Graph using this measurement, Monetary Freedom 80.5 Create a Graph using this measurement. As a result, Belgium today, has three communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community. This treasure of Belgium facts is proof of that. Public officials can face heavy fines and imprisonment for corruption.