Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Belgium instead of Maryland, you would:

Health

live 5.1 years longer

In Maryland, the average life expectancy is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In Belgium, that number is 82 years (79 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

be 48.9% more likely to be unemployed

In Maryland, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Belgium, that number is 5.5% as of 2023.

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be 36.7% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Maryland, 9.0% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Belgium, however, that number is 12.3% as of 2022.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), The World Factbook.

Compare further: Maryland vs. Belgium
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Belgium is 1.5% more expensive than Maryland
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Size Comparison · See true size
Maryland is about 1.2 times smaller than Belgium.
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Belgium: At a glance

Belgium is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 30,278 sq km. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
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How big is Belgium compared to Maryland? See an in-depth size comparison.

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