Overview of belgium's economy
Belgium's economy relies on foreign trade. Foreign trade accounts for 70% of Belgium's economy. The nation's main trading partners are in the European Union. Belgium's GDP is $511.53 Billion in U.S. dollars. Belgium's GNP is $432.57 Billion PPP dollars. Belgium doesn't have many natural resources, so it imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufacturing products.
Jobs offered in belgium
Over 62% of people aged 15 to 64 in Belgium have a paid job. Belgium's major industries are metal products, engineering, motor vehicle assembly,chemicals, petroleum, processed food, textiles, and glass. Industry jobs import raw materials and semi-finished goods which are further processed and made ready for re-export. Nearly 75% of the workforce in Belgium is employed in a service job. Fewer than 25% were employed in an industrial job, and less than 1% of workers in Belgium work in the agriculture field. Chemical, High-tech, and service jobs dominate the Flanders. The unemployment rate in Belgium is 7.4%.
Literacy rate and education
Belgium's literacy rate is 99%. Pre-school is the first level of education here, and it is free. You can go to pre-school at the age of 2 years and 6 months old. Pre-school's aim is to develop a child's cognitive skills in a playful way. More than 90% of children in the age category attend pre-school. The next level of education is primary school, which is from 6 years old to 12 years old. Primary school is free and the only entrance requirement is age. It concentrates on reading, writing and basic mathematics, but also touches already a very broad range of topics (biology, music, religion, history, etc.). School starts at 8:30 and ends at 3:30. There are also some private schools set up to serve various international communities in Belgium. Secondary education is given from the ages of 12-18, and students can pick their courses depending on their skill level and interest. 71% of adults aged 25-64 have earned the equivalent of a high-school degree in Belgium. Higher education is going to universities.
Average household income
Belgium ranks among the top ten countries in many different topics in the Better Life Index, so you are sure to like it here! The average Belgian person earns $26,734 a year, which is more than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average. The life expectancy rate in Belgium is 80 years old.