Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Belgium
Belgium: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 37.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Belgium, 1995–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 37.9% for central government revenues as a share of gdp in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.9% on the previous year and down 10.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Belgium peaked at 42.8% in 1998 and was at its lowest, 36.9%, in 2020.
That places Belgium 24th out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 30 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Belgium, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 41.4% | — |
| 1996 | 42.0% | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 42.2% | +0.6% |
| 1998 | 42.8% | +1.4% |
| 1999 | 42.5% | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 42.4% | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 42.4% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 41.4% | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 40.5% | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 40.5% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 40.5% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 40.1% | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 39.7% | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 40.8% | +2.8% |
| 2009 | 39.7% | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 40.3% | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 40.9% | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 42.1% | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 42.6% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 42.4% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 40.5% | -4.4% |
| 2016 | 38.5% | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 38.9% | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 39.2% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 37.6% | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 36.9% | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 37.7% | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 37.2% | -1.5% |
| 2023 | 37.2% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 37.9% | +1.9% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 37.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 1.1× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 37.9% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 35.0%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 42.2% | 41.4% | 42.8% | 5 |
| 2000s | 40.8% | 39.7% | 42.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.3% | 37.6% | 42.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.4% | 36.9% | 37.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More economy & growth data for Belgium
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.04 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.25 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -19.31 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0266 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -1,617 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -28.79 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 30.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0397 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -2,411 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 33.22 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Belgium?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Belgium was 37.9% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 42.8% in 1998.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.9% in 2020.
- How does Belgium rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Belgium ranks 24th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.