Belgium Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Belgium's trade balance was $-10.2B in 2025, ranked 158th globally. This represents a 293.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Belgium's trade balance stood at $-10.2B in 2025, a decline of +$7.6B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-10.2B by 2025. Belgium ranked 158th globally.
Belgium’s trade balance has swung from a modest surplus of 583,597,418.31 in 1970 to a pronounced deficit of –10,184,729,693.20 in 2025, ranking 158th globally. The most expansive surplus occurred in 2007, when exports exceeded imports by 19,473,396,554.82, reflecting the pre‑financial‑crisis boom in intra‑EU trade and strong demand for high‑value Belgian goods such as pharmaceuticals and machinery. The deepest deficit was recorded in 2022 at –13,809,785,145.33, a trough that coincided with pandemic‑induced supply‑chain disruptions, higher energy import costs, and a slowdown in the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector. Belgium’s current deficit is comparable to that of the Dominican Republic (–9,803,453,888.30) and Kyrgyz Republic (–10,224,541,822.58), underscoring a broader shift among small open economies toward larger import bills. Continued diversification of export markets and a rebound in domestic industrial production will be crucial to narrowing the deficit and reversing the recent downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $-17.0B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $-13.6B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-10.2B | - | - |
| 2025 | $-10.2B | −$7.6B | #158 |
| 2024 | $-2.6B | −$240.8M | #45 |
| 2023 | $-2.3B | +$11.5B | #50 |
| 2022 | $-13.8B | −$25.0B | #21 |
| 2021 | $11.2B | +$3.5B | #149 |
| 2020 | $7.6B | +$5.1B | #150 |
| 2019 | $2.5B | +$9.6B | #134 |
| 2018 | $-7.1B | −$7.0B | #25 |
| 2017 | $-76.5M | −$923.4M | #102 |
| 2016 | $846.9M | −$2.3B | #127 |
| 2015 | $3.2B | +$2.0B | #151 |
| 2014 | $1.2B | −$114.8M | #132 |
| 2013 | $1.3B | +$2.7B | #127 |
| 2012 | $-1.4B | −$247.7M | #72 |
| 2011 | $-1.2B | −$8.4B | #75 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgium's trade balance was $-10.2B in 2025. Ranked 158th globally. This represents a 293.4% decrease from the previous year.
Belgium's trade balance peaked at $19.5B in 2007.
The lowest trade balance in Belgium was $-13.8B in 2022.
Belgium ranks 158th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belgium's trade balance is projected to reach $-10.2B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Belgium in 2025 was $-10.2B. This ranks 158th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_trade-balance,
title = {Belgium Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}