Belgium vs Ireland development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

Belgium and Ireland present notable differences in demographic and health indicators. As of 2023, Belgium has a crude birth rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people, while Ireland has a higher rate at 10.3, ranking Ireland 13th compared to Belgium's 32nd position. On the flip side, the crude death rate in Belgium stands at 9.4 per 1,000 people, considerably higher than Ireland's 6.6, with Belgium ranked 64th and Ireland ranked 80th.

Life expectancy at birth for both countries is relatively high, with Belgium at 82.4 years and Ireland at 82.9 years, placing Belgium 18th and Ireland 12th respectively in global rankings. The mortality rate for children under five years is slightly better in Belgium, at 3.6 per 1,000 live births compared to 3.8 in Ireland. Both countries have the same prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of their populations.

Health care expenditure is comparatively higher in Belgium, with 10.8% of its GDP going towards health compared to Ireland's 6.1%. However, when examining health outcomes, the suicide mortality rate per 100,000 individuals is notably higher in Belgium (18.4) versus Ireland (8.6).

Economy

The economic landscape shows significant contrasts, particularly in GDP metrics. Belgium's GDP per capita stands at $55,955, ranked 21st worldwide, whereas Ireland boasts a much higher GDP per capita of $107,316, placing it 5th globally. A similar pattern is observed with GDP per capita in purchasing power parity (PPP), with Belgium at $72,126 and Ireland at $131,175.

In terms of exports, Belgium's exports of goods and services constitute 79.2% of its GDP, whereas Ireland's figure is significantly higher at 148%, ranking it 5th internationally. Imports follow a similar trend, with Belgium at 79.2% and Ireland at 105%. Inflation rates reflect economic stability, with Belgium experiencing a consumer price inflation of 3.1% as opposed to Ireland’s lower rate of 2.1%.

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment coefficients suggest that Ireland is more export-oriented relative to its GDP, with a significantly higher percentage of exports compared to Belgium. The reliance on high-technology exports is also exemplified with Belgium recording $50.6 billion, while Ireland leads with $91.4 billion. This positions Ireland more favorably in the global market and suggests a progressive technological sector.

Research and development expenditure in Belgium is notably robust at 3.4% of its GDP, greatly surpassing Ireland's 1%. This could point to Belgium's commitment to innovation and maintaining a competitive edge through technological advancements.

Governance and Institutions

When it comes to governance, Belgium’s performance displays challenges, notably in political stability and absence of violence, where it ranked 69th compared to Ireland's 12th. Control of corruption is another significant metric where Belgium ranks 27th, while Ireland is 21st, reflecting a better perception of government integrity in the latter.

Government effectiveness also sees a stark difference, with Belgium positioned at 40th compared to Ireland at 14th. This disparity illuminates Ireland's more efficient public sector and policymaking frameworks. In terms of regulatory quality and rule of law, both countries rank similarly, though Ireland has a slight edge in these areas as well.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure development is pivotal for economic performance, and Belgium surpasses Ireland with a logistics performance index of 4.1, compared to Ireland's 3.5, indicating better quality trade and transport-related infrastructure. Regarding internet usage, both countries show high engagement, with 94.6% of the Belgian population online compared to 96.5% in Ireland, marking a well-connected society.

The presence of patent applications reflects innovation, where Belgium leads with 799 compared to Ireland's 75, showcasing Belgium's innovative prowess in intellectual property.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental metrics present a mixed picture. In terms of renewable energy consumption, Belgium’s 11.7% is slightly behind Ireland’s 12.7%. However, Belgium's level of water stress is notably higher, with 51.9% freshwater withdrawal compared to Ireland's significantly lower rate of 22.2%, indicating a more sustainable approach to water resource management in Ireland.

Greenhouse gas emissions also provide insight into environmental impact, where Belgium emits 9 tons of CO2e per capita, relatively lower than Ireland's 10.9 tons. This indicates Belgium’s somewhat better performance in mitigating climate change impacts, though both countries still have room for improvement in environmental sustainability.