Belgium Belgium vs Croatia Croatia development indicators, 2024

Indicator
Belgium
Belgium, Value
Croatia
Croatia, Value
Belgium
Belgium, Rank
Croatia
Croatia, Rank
Belgium Belgium as % of
Croatia Croatia
Current account balance (% of GDP) -0.855 -1.13 61 63 75.4 %
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 79.2 49.8 13 39 159 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) -5.35 5.04 104 21
GDP per capita (current US$) 55,955 23,931 16 50 234 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 72,126 48,575 19 46 148 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 79.2 52.9 12 52 150 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 3.14 2.97 76 80 106 %
Net migration 36,243 -5,186 30 139
Population, total 11,876,844 3,866,300 81 129 307 %

Demography and Health

The demographic indicators of Belgium and Croatia reveal distinct characteristics that may reflect their differing cultural and economic environments. Belgium has a crude birth rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people and a death rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people, resulting in a balanced population dynamic. In contrast, Croatia exhibits a lower birth rate at 8.3 and a higher death rate of 13.3, indicating potential demographic challenges related to an aging population. Life expectancy at birth diverges notably; Belgians can expect to live 82.4 years, while Croatians have a lower life expectancy at 78.5 years. Belgium also excels in child health, with a lower under-5 mortality rate of 3.6 per 1,000 live births compared to Croatia's 4.6. Net migration appears to differ significantly as well, with Belgium witnessing a positive inflow of 36,243 individuals, whereas Croatia faces negative migration, losing 5,186 residents. Both countries have a low prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of the population, showcasing food security in both nations. Health expenditure is notably higher in Belgium at 10.8% of GDP compared to Croatia's 7.2%, which could translate into better health outcomes and services.

Economy

When analyzing the economy, Belgium boasts a GDP per capita of $55,955, significantly outpacing Croatia's $23,931. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), Belgium again leads with $72,126 compared to Croatia's $48,575, which emphasizes the higher standard of living in Belgium. The country's reliance on exports is substantial, with exports representing 79.2% of GDP, in stark contrast to Croatia's exports making up 49.8% of GDP. However, both nations experience comparable inflation rates, with Belgium at 3.1% and Croatia at 3.0%. Belgium demonstrates a robust environment for high-technology exports, valued at $50.6 billion, while Croatia lags significantly with $1.7 billion. This disparity in technological advancement suggests Belgium has a more diverse and innovative economic landscape.

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment dynamics illustrate Belgium's strong international trade presence compared to Croatia. With imports and exports both accounting for 79.2% of GDP, Belgium's trade activities contribute significantly to its economy. Croatia, on the other hand, registers lower import and export percentages at 52.9% and 49.8% respectively. Foreign direct investment (FDI) reflects a contrasting situation where Belgium experiences negative net inflows of -5.4% of GDP, indicative of challenges attracting foreign investors, while Croatia has a more favorable FDI scenario with net inflows of 5% of GDP. Overall, Belgium's higher reliance on trade positions it as a more integrated player in the global economy.

Governance and Institutions

In the area of governance and institutions, Belgium generally performs better than Croatia in terms of key indicators. Belgium's control of corruption index stands at 1.3, indicating a relatively positive governance environment, while Croatia's score of 0.2 suggests greater challenges related to corruption. Furthermore, government effectiveness is rated at 1 for Belgium compared to 0.7 for Croatia. The rule of law is also more strongly upheld in Belgium with a score of 1.3, compared to Croatia's 0.4. This reflects stronger institutional integrity and respect for legal frameworks in Belgium, likely contributing to higher investor confidence and better public services.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology show Belgium as a leader in several metrics. The logistics performance index, which measures trade and transport-related infrastructure quality, is rated at 4.1 for Belgium and 3.0 for Croatia, suggesting superior logistical capabilities in Belgium. Additionally, internet accessibility is more advanced in Belgium with 94.6% of the population using the internet versus 83.2% in Croatia, showcasing better digital infrastructure and connectivity. Belgium’s investment in research and development at 3.4% of GDP significantly surpasses Croatia’s 1.4%, indicating a commitment to innovation and technology that could support future economic growth and competitiveness.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental indicators reveal differing approaches to sustainability between Belgium and Croatia. Belgium’s renewable energy consumption, at 11.7% of total energy consumption, is lower than Croatia’s impressive 34.1%, highlighting Croatia's commitment to sustainable energy practices. However, Belgium has a more significant challenge regarding water stress, with freshwater withdrawals at 51.9% of available resources compared to Croatia’s manageable 1.5%. Furthermore, Belgium's total greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 9 t CO2e/capita indicate a higher environmental footprint compared to Croatia's 6.5 t CO2e/capita. These figures reflect the nuanced balance both countries must manage between economic development and environmental sustainability, with Croatia currently exhibiting stronger sustainability efforts through renewable energy adoption.