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Austria vs Czechia
Belgium vs Kazakhstan
Side-by-side comparison of Belgium and Kazakhstan from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Belgium
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 196 years
Kazakhstan
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 561 years
In short
Belgium scores 77.9 in the NationsTree Index (9th in the world) and Kazakhstan scores 62.1 (52nd), a gap of 15.8 points. Their trees are 20 m and 19 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Kazakhstan has 75% more people than Belgium. Kazakhstan is 89 times larger than Belgium by land area. Belgium and Kazakhstan have economies of similar size (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Belgium 11.9 million and Kazakhstan 20.8 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $74,676 in Belgium and $44,293 in Kazakhstan (2025, international dollars). People in Belgium live on average 7.8 years longer (82.3 vs 74.5 years).
Of 36 indicators reported by both countries, Belgium ranks higher in the world on 25 and Kazakhstan on 11. Belgium is clearly stronger in institutions & safety, science & innovation and environment & energy. Kazakhstan is clearly stronger in natural resources and main industries.
As a nation, Kazakhstan is the older of the two (statehood since 1465, 561 years), compared with Belgium (since 1830). Over the last five years Kazakhstan improved faster (direction score 62 vs 47 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Belgium and Kazakhstan.
Belgium
107.9%
175th of 189
Kazakhstanbetter
24.3%
23rd of 189
R&D spendingScience & innovation
Belgiumbetter
3.27%
7th of 110
Kazakhstan
0.16%
90th of 110
GDP growthEconomy
Belgium
1.0%
176th of 210
Kazakhstanbetter
6.5%
25th of 210
Voice & accountabilityInstitutions & safety
Belgiumbetter
83.9
12th of 205
Kazakhstan
40.1
150th of 205
Rule of lawInstitutions & safety
Belgiumbetter
79.5
27th of 207
Kazakhstan
51.9
126th of 207
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Kazakhstan overtook Belgium in GDP (PPP) in 2025, the latest year with data.
Belgium has been ahead of Kazakhstan in the NationsTree Index in every year since 1996.
Belgium has been ahead of Kazakhstan in GDP per person (PPP) and life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Kazakhstan has been ahead of Belgium in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
BelgiumKazakhstan All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Belgium | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 30,689137th/216 · 2024 | 2,724,9029th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 30,494136th/216 · 2024 | 2,699,7009th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 11.9 m81st/217 · 2025 | 20.8 m64th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 0.70%121st/217 · 2025 | 1.21%87th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 388.929th/216 · 2024 | 7.6205th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 87.7%42nd/217 · 2025 | 62.4%119th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 15.7%170th/217 · 2025 | 29.1%75th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 21.0%28th/217 · 2025 | 9.0%107th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $725.47 bn22nd/210 · 2025 | $306.24 bn49th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $891.76 bn37th/199 · 2025 | $923.24 bn36th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $758.16 bn38th/199 · 2025 | $788.95 bn34th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $60,75022nd/210 · 2025 | $14,69289th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $74,67624th/199 · 2025 | $44,29361st/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $59,50021st/201 · 2025 | $13,74081st/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.0%176th/210 · 2025 | 6.5%25th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 2.5%78th/180 · 2025 | 11.4%161st/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 5.9%107th/187 · 2025 | 4.8%81st/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 20.9%6th/55 · 2023 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 107.9%175th/189 · 2025 | 24.3%23rd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -5.2%152nd/192 · 2025 | -3.1%110th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 0.7%176th/197 · 2025 | 3.7%117th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 18.6%134th/200 · 2025 | 32.3%44th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 11.2%87th/192 · 2025 | 12.7%68th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 71.2%31st/200 · 2025 | 57.7%99th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $547.36 bn19th/182 · 2025 | $92.07 bn51st/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $562.00 bn18th/182 · 2025 | $74.54 bn54th/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | 75.5%22nd/183 · 2025 | 31.6%106th/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | 77.5%24th/183 · 2025 | 25.6%149th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 152.9%20th/183 · 2025 | 57.2%133rd/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 10.2%48th/170 · 2025 | 54.5%20th/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 69.4%43rd/171 · 2025 | 19.7%106th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 13.8%94th/171 · 2025 | 8.9%119th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 4.1%71st/171 · 2025 | 15.8%31st/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 19.8%33rd/168 · 2024 | 42.2%11th/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -1.9%99th/191 · 2025 | -4.1%132nd/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | -4.0%194th/196 · 2025 | -0.3%182nd/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 0.0%164th/209 · 2021 | 26.8%16th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.03%91st/197 · 2021 | 14.84%16th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%97th/197 · 2021 | 2.04%22nd/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.85%7th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 9.10%14th/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.01%148th/209 · 2021 | 0.01%158th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 28.3%33rd/206 · 2024 | 11.3%92nd/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 1,027125th/183 · 2022 | 3,21279th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 2.6 m57th/194 · 2020 | 2.0 m64th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $7.45 bn25th/175 · 2020 | $589.0 m90th/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 1.8%135th/168 · 2020 | 1.2%149th/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 5.9 m27th/107 · 2020 | 2.9 m41st/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 82.331st/217 · 2024 | 74.5113th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 3.726th/196 · 2024 | 9.469th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 3.5743rd/174 · 2022 | 3.7537th/174 · 2023 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 5.423rd/145 · 2023 | 6.511th/145 · 2020 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 97%29th/193 · 2024 | 98%20th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 88.9%51st/153 · 2023 | 95.7%27th/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 143.0%2nd/173 · 2023 | 97.6%70th/173 · 2025 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | — | 57.3%23rd/55 · 2021 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 33.1%27th/217 · 2025 | 14.6%101st/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 10.8%19th/193 · 2023 | 3.8%160th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | — | 99.7%2009 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 82.1%22nd/150 · 2023 | 52.9%75th/150 · 2025 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.95110th/193 · 2023 | 0.83760th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 26.89th/108 · 2023 | 29.219th/108 · 2021 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 0.1%10th/108 · 2023 | 0.0%1st/108 · 2021 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 99.5%25th/150 · 2024 | 91.5%57th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 94.9%25th/144 · 2024 | — |
| Internet users % of population | 95.8%20th/186 · 2024 | 93.4%39th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 104134th/210 · 2024 | 12765th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 44.217th/208 · 2024 | 15.3100th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 4.109th/164 · 2022 | 2.5085th/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | 3,61237th/82 · 2021 | 16,00614th/82 · 2021 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 11.4 m46th/161 · 2023 | 11.9 m45th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 7.31173rd/203 · 2024 | 12.57188th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 11.7%136th/212 · 2021 | 2.0%179th/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 8.435th/200 · 2023 | 19.6113th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 22.0%128th/214 · 2024 | 1.3%194th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 4,07721st/149 · 2024 | 3,61923rd/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 79.325th/205 · 2025 | 54.5101st/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 75.623rd/207 · 2025 | 42.8109th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 79.527th/207 · 2025 | 51.9126th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 68.6101st/207 · 2025 | 62.0132nd/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 76.322nd/205 · 2025 | 55.991st/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 83.912th/205 · 2025 | 40.1150th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 1.144th/145 · 2021 | 2.679th/145 · 2022 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $14.53 bn28th/156 · 2025 | $1.31 bn78th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 2.0%64th/156 · 2025 | 0.4%148th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 3.7%119th/154 · 2025 | 2.1%141st/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 24,00096th/170 · 2020 | 71,00059th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.47%120th/168 · 2020 | 0.74%92nd/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 430.0 m25th/163 · 2025 | 18.0 m95th/163 · 2025 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 86.0 m27th/65 · 2025 | 6.0 m2006 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 3.27%7th/110 · 2023 | 0.16%90th/110 · 2024 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 64740th/137 · 2024 | 84135th/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 16,81628th/197 · 2023 | 3,81964th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan has the larger population: 20.8 m (2025) compared with 11.9 m for Belgium (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is larger: 2,724,902 km² (2024) compared with 30,689 km² for Belgium (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $923.24 bn intl. (2025) compared with $891.76 bn intl. for Belgium (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Belgium has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $74,676 intl. (2025) compared with $44,293 intl. for Kazakhstan (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Belgium has the higher life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (2024) compared with 74.5 years for Kazakhstan (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Belgium spends more on the military: $14.53 bn (2025) compared with $1.31 bn for Kazakhstan (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Belgium or Kazakhstan?
Belgium: 77.9 points (9th in the world); Kazakhstan: 62.1 points (52nd). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Ireland
Netherlands
Romania
Sweden
SwitzerlandSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Belgium vs Kazakhstan — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/belgium-vs-kazakhstan. Data as of 26 October 2026.