http://www.tradingeconomics.com/RSS Feed60http://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/business-confidenceIn Belgium, business confidence declined to -11.2 in May of 2012 from -10.7 in April of 2012. Historically, from 1980 until 2012, Belgium Business Confidence averaged -7.6 reaching an all time high of 9.2 in March of 2000 and a record low of -31.8 in March of 2009. In Belgium, the business confidence survey measures the level of optimism that people who run companies have about the current economic situation and how they feel about their organizations’ prospects in the next three months. Every month, a panel of around 6000 business leaders is contacted. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Business Confidence. National Bank of BelgiumThu, 24 May 2012 16:24:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/gdp-growth-annualThe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Belgium expanded 0.50 percent in the first quarter of 2012 since the same quarter on the previous year. Historically, from 1981 until 2012, Belgium GDP Annual Growth Rate averaged 2.4 Percent reaching an all time high of 19.4 Percent in March of 1995 and a record low of -4.1 Percent in June of 2009. The annual growth rate in Gross Domestic Product measures the increase in value of the goods and services produced by an economy over the period of a year. Therefore, unlike the commonly used quarterly GDP growth rate the annual GDP growth rate takes into account a full year of economic activity, thus avoiding the need to make any type of seasonal adjustment. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium GDP Annual Growth Rate.National Bank of BelgiumThu, 10 May 2012 13:32:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/gdp-growthThe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Belgium expanded 0.30 percent in the first quarter of 2012 over the previous quarter. Historically, from 1980 until 2012, Belgium GDP Growth Rate averaged 0.6 Percent reaching an all time high of 15.8 Percent in March of 1995 and a record low of -2.2 Percent in December of 2008. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate provides an aggregated measure of changes in value of the goods and services produced by an economy. Belgium is among the most highly industrialized countries in Europe. Poor in natural resources, it imports raw materials in great quantity and processes them largely for export. Exports equal around two thirds of GDP, and about three-quarters of Belgium's foreign trade is with other European Union countries. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium GDP Growth Rate.National Bank of BelgiumThu, 10 May 2012 13:31:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/retail-salesRetail Sales in Belgium decreased 0.50 percent in March of 2012 over the previous month. Historically, from 1998 until 2012, Belgium Retail Sales averaged 0.1 Percent reaching an all time high of 2.5 Percent in June of 2010 and a record low of -2.5 Percent in October of 2008. A Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods over a specific time period. Retail sales are both seasonal and volatile and their importance to the overall gross domestic product varies with each country. However, the retail sales data is widely followed by investors because is only a few weeks old. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Retail Sales.EurostatFri, 04 May 2012 16:40:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/retail-sales-annualRetail Sales in Belgium increased 2.90 percent in March of 2012 over the same month in the previous year. Historically, from 1992 until 2012, Belgium Annual Retail Sales averaged 1.3 Percent reaching an all time high of 12.7 Percent in February of 1992 and a record low of -6.5 Percent in September of 2002. A Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods over a specific time period. Retail sales are both seasonal and volatile and their importance to the overall gross domestic product varies with each country. However, the retail sales data is widely followed by investors because is only a few weeks old. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Annual Retail Sales.EurostatFri, 04 May 2012 16:38:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/government-debt-to-gdpBelgium recorded a Current Account equivalent to 98.00 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2011. Historically, from 1980 until 2011, Belgium Government Debt To GDP averaged 109.2 Percent reaching an all time high of 133.1 Percent in December of 1993 and a record low of 74.1 Percent in December of 1980. Generally, Government debt as a percent of GDP is used by investors to measure a country ability to make future payments on its debt, thus affecting the country borrowing costs and government bond yields. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Government Debt To GDP.EurostatFri, 04 May 2012 14:17:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/government-budgetBelgium reported a Government Budget deficit equal to 3.70 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2011. Historically, from 1995 until 2011, Belgium Government Budget averaged -1.7 Percent of GDP reaching an all time high of 0.4 Percent of GDP in December of 2001 and a record low of -5.6 Percent of GDP in December of 2009. Government Budget is an itemized accounting of the payments received by government (taxes and other fees) and the payments made by government (purchases and transfer payments). A budget deficit occurs when an government spends more money than it takes in. The opposite of a budget deficit is a budget surplus. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Government Budget.EurostatFri, 04 May 2012 14:14:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/inflation-cpiThe inflation rate in Belgium was recorded at 3.20 percent in April of 2012. Historically, from 1921 until 2012, Belgium Inflation Rate averaged 6.0 Percent reaching an all time high of 222.8 Percent in January of 1947 and a record low of -18.1 Percent in October of 1921. Inflation rate refers to a general rise in prices measured against a standard level of purchasing power. The most well known measures of Inflation are the CPI which measures consumer prices, and the GDP deflator, which measures inflation in the whole of the domestic economy. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Inflation Rate.BelgoStatMon, 30 Apr 2012 19:29:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/unemployment-rateThe unemployment rate in Belgium was last reported at 7.2 percent in February of 2012. Historically, from 1983 until 2012, Belgium Unemployment Rate averaged 8.4 Percent reaching an all time high of 11.0 Percent in November of 1983 and a record low of 6.2 Percent in July of 2001. The unemployment rate can be defined as the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Unemployment Rate.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:51:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/current-accountBelgium reported a current account deficit equivalent to 4.3 Billions USD in December of 2011. Historically, from 1995 until 2011, Belgium Current Account averaged 4121.0 Billion EUR reaching an all time high of 12321.0 Billion EUR in December of 1999 and a record low of -7657.0 Billion EUR in December of 2008. Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Current Account.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:29:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/balance-of-tradeBelgium reported a trade deficit equivalent to 119 Million EUR in December of 2011. Historically, from 1993 until 2011, Belgium Balance of Trade averaged 1046.0 Million EUR reaching an all time high of 2485.1 Million EUR in September of 2003 and a record low of -972.4 Million EUR in August of 2008. Foreign trade accounts for approximately 70 percent of the Belgium's economy. About 80% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. The major export commodity in Belgium is the automobile, medicament mixtures put in dosage, not mounted or set diamonds. Belgium imports mainly machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment and oil products. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Balance of Trade.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/importsBelgium imports were worth 26551 Million EUR in December of 2011. Historically, from 1993 until 2011, Belgium Imports averaged 17383.5 Million EUR reaching an all time high of 31240.0 Million EUR in March of 2011 and a record low of 6976.0 Million EUR in July of 1993. Belgium imports mainly machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment and oil products. It major import partners are: European Union members (Germany, Netherlands, France, UK, Ireland) , United States and China. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Imports.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:11:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/exportsBelgium exports were worth 26432 Million EUR in December of 2011. Historically, from 1993 until 2011, Belgium Exports averaged 18429.5 Million EUR reaching an all time high of 32448.0 Million EUR in March of 2011 and a record low of 7331.0 Million EUR in August of 1993. Foreign trade accounts for approximately 70 percent of Belgium’s economy. About 80% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. The major export commodity in Belgium is the automobile, medicament mixtures put in dosage, and not mounted or set diamonds. Belgium’s largest exports markets are European Union and United Sates. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Exports.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:09:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/consumer-confidenceIn Belgium, consumer confidence improved to -12 in March of 2012 from -20 in February of 2012. Historically, from 1988 until 2012, Belgium Consumer Confidence averaged -6.1 reaching an all time high of 16.0 in August of 2000 and a record low of -27.0 in July of 1993. In Belgium, the consumer confidence indicator supplies concise information on consumers’ confidence regarding the progress of the economy. The survey is based on a sample of 1600 consumers and is conducted by the National Bank of Belgium. The questions concern both the overall macroeconomic situation in Belgium and the financial position and spending patterns of the interviewees. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Consumer Confidence.National Bank of BelgiumWed, 11 Apr 2012 14:52:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/industrial-productionIndustrial Production in Belgium increased 3.90 percent in November of 2011. Historically, from 1991 until 2011, Belgium Industrial Production averaged 0.5 Percent EUR reaching an all time high of 17.6 Percent EUR in May of 2000 and a record low of -20.3 Percent EUR in December of 2001. Industrial production measures changes in output for the industrial sector of the economy which includes manufacturing, mining, and utilities. Industrial Production is an important indicator for economic forecasting and is often used to measure inflation pressures as high levels of industrial production can lead to sudden changes in prices. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Industrial Production.Belg. Inst Nat'l Stat.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:26:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/gdp-per-capitaThe Gross Domestic Product per capita in Belgium was last reported at 24533.97 US dollars in 2010, according to a report published by the World Bank. The GDP per Capita in Belgium is equivalent to 198 percent of the world's average. Historically, from 1960 until 2010, Belgium GDP per capita averaged 16696.7 USD reaching an all time high of 25082.0 USD in December of 2008 and a record low of 7485.9 USD in December of 1960. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium GDP per capita.World BankWed, 04 Jan 2012 19:04:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/gdp-per-capita-pppThe Gross Domestic Product per capita in Belgium was last reported at 37600.44 US dollars in 2010, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP), according to a report published by the World Bank. The GDP per Capita, in Belgium, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 171 percent of the world's average. Historically, from 1980 until 2010, Belgium GDP per capita PPP averaged 23108.8 USD reaching an all time high of 37600.4 USD in December of 2010 and a record low of 10248.2 USD in December of 1980. The GDP per capita PPP is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by purchasing power parity, by the total population. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium GDP per capita PPP.World BankWed, 04 Jan 2012 19:02:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/population Historically, from 1960 until 2010, Belgium Population averaged 9.9 Million reaching an all time high of 10.9 Million in December of 2010 and a record low of 9.1 Million in December of 1960. The total population in Belgium was last reported at 10.9 million people in 2010 from 9.1 million in 1960, changing 18 percent during the last 50 years. Belgium has 0.16 percent of the world´s total population which means that one person in every 640 people on the planet is a resident of Belgium. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium's Total Population. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Population.World BankFri, 28 Oct 2011 13:56:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/interest-rateThe benchmark interest rate in Belgium was last reported at 1.00 percent. Historically, from 2011 until 2011, Belgium Interest Rate averaged 1.0 Percent reaching an all time high of 1.0 Percent in February of 2011 and a record low of 1.0 Percent in February of 2011. Belgium is a member of the Euro Area, an economic and monetary union (EMU) of European Union (EU) member states that have adopted the euro. The Euro Area benchmark interest rate stands at 1.00 percent. in the Euro Area, interest rate decisions are taken by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. The primary objective of the ECB’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability. The ECB’s Governing Council has defined price stability as "a year-on-year increase in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for The Euro Area of below 2%. The European Central Bank is the sole issuer of banknotes and bank reserves. That means it has the monopoly supplier of the monetary base. By virtue of this monopoly, it can set the conditions at which banks borrow from the Central Bank. Therefore it can also influence the conditions at which banks trade with each other in the money market. in the short run, a change in money market interest rates induced by the Central Bank sets in motion a number of mechanisms and actions by economic agents. Ultimately the change will influence developments in economic variables such as output or prices. This page includes: Belgium Interest Rate chart, historical data and news. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium Interest Rate.Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:56:00 GMThttp://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/gdpThe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Belgium was worth 467.47 billion US dollars in 2010, according to a report published by the World Bank. The GDP value of Belgium is roughly equivalent to 0.75 percent of the world economy. Historically, from 1960 until 2010, Belgium GDP averaged 165.6 billion USD reaching an all time high of 505.4 billion USD in December of 2008 and a record low of 11.7 billion USD in December of 1960. The gross domestic product (GDP) measures of national income and output for a given country's economy. The gross domestic product (GDP) is equal to the total expenditures for all final goods and services produced within the country in a stipulated period of time. This page includes a chart with historical data for Belgium GDP.The World Bank GroupFri, 28 Oct 2011 13:56:00 GMT