Belgium vs Ireland

Ireland scores 80.4 in the NationsTree Index (5th in the world) and Belgium scores 77.9 (9th), a gap of 2.5 points. Their trees are 20 m and 20 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

Belgium has 2.2 times the population of Ireland. Ireland is 2.3 times larger than Belgium by land area. Belgium and Ireland have economies of similar size (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Belgium 11.9 million and Ireland 5.5 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $155,089 in Ireland and $74,676 in Belgium (2025, international dollars). People in Ireland live on average 0.7 years longer (83.0 vs 82.3 years).

Of 36 indicators reported by both countries, Belgium ranks higher in the world on 12 and Ireland on 24. Belgium is clearly stronger in military, science & innovation and society & health. Ireland is clearly stronger in economy, main industries and institutions & safety.

As a nation, Belgium is the older of the two (statehood since 1830, 196 years), compared with Ireland (since 1937). Over the last five years Ireland improved faster (direction score 86 vs 47 out of 100).