Compare countries · Belgium vs Netherlands
Belgium vs Netherlands
Belgium(Europe)·
Netherlands(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Belgium leads on 2, Netherlands on 7, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Belgium
68.6
Worse than 88% of countries
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Belgium: 7% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Belgium
23.8
Worse than 79% of countries
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Belgium: 39% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Belgium
1.50
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands
1.53
Better than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Belgium
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Belgium
0.942
Better than 93% of countries
Netherlands
0.946
Better than 95% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Belgium
$74,676
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: 17% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Belgium
82.3 yrs
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Belgium
76.4
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 76.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Belgium
140 Mbps
Better than 66% of countries
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands: 70% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Belgium
81/100
Better than 91% of countries
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 81 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Belgium
6.93
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.93).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Belgium
608
Better than 87% of countries
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Netherlands: stronger English proficiency (624 vs 608).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Belgium
86.5
Better than 64% of countries
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Belgium and Netherlands for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.