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Government Stats: compare key data on Belgium & Denmark

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Definitions

  • Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
  • Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
  • Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
  • Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
  • Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
  • Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
  • Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
  • Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
  • Political pressure groups and leaders: Organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election.
  • Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
  • International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
  • Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Civil law system: Description.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
  • National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
  • Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
  • Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
  • Government spending > Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP: Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP. Figures are according to 2011 Index of Economic Freedom.
  • Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
  • National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
  • Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
  • Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
  • Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
    Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
    Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
  • National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
  • Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
  • Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Politics: Country politics.
  • International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
  • Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
  • Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel: Date on which Israel was officially recognized as a state. Note that some countries had a “de facto” recognition in place long before the legal recognition.
  • Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
    Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
  • UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
  • Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Legal origin: Legal origin identifies the origin of the Company Law or Commercial Code in each country
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout: The proportion of registered voters who actually voted.
  • Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
  • Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • International relations: Country international relations.
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
  • Democracy > Female ministers: Women in government at ministerial level in 2000 (as % of total). Data were provided by states based on their definition of national executive and may therefore include women serving as ministers and vice ministers and those holding other ministerial positions, including parliamentary secretaries.
  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Role of head of state: Head of state.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Administrative divisions > Note: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest  elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council: Date on which the Syrian National Council was recognized, at least as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people. For more information, please see http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Government/Foreign-relations/International-recognition-of-the-Syrian-National-Council-notes
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
  • Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
  • Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote: The total number of votes cast in the relevant election. Total vote includes valid and invalid votes, as well as blank votes in cases where these are separated from invalid votes. More information on valid, invalid and blank votes can be found at aceproject.org
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration: The number of registered voters. The figure represents the number of names on the voters' register at the time that the registration process closes, as reported by the electoral management body.
  • Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Democracy and rights > Electoral system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of electoral system (First Past the Post electoral system; Single-Member District Plurality, also known as First Past the Post (FPTP): There is one seat per district, the candidate with the most votes wins it; Proportional Representation: There are multiple seats for each voting district, allocation is based on either party lists, multi-member proportional (MMP), single transferable vote (STV) or semi-PR; FrenchTtwo-RoundSsystem; Alternative Vote (AV)).
  • Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
  • Democracy and rights > Party system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of party system (two-party or multi-party).
  • Democracy and rights > Structure: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of structure (presidential or parliamentary).
  • Secession attempts: Lists groups or areas that have mounted major unilateral secession attempts in selected nations since 1945.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
  • Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
  • Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes: January 1, 2003
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes: The number of invalid votes, as reported by each country.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader: January 1, 2002
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader: January 1, 2001
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
  • Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader: January 1, 2002
  • Trademarks > Residents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes: January 1, 2001
  • Trademarks > Residents per million: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
  • Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Ruling party: In power now.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
  • Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of judicial review, which is the power to declare unconstitutional laws duly passed by parliament and/or signed by the president. (As distinct from the ability to strike down acts of subordinate governments, such as states or provinces. (Strong judicial review or no strong judicial review).
  • Democracy and rights > Strongly federal?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of federalism (strongly federal or not strongly federal).
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of bicameralism, determing if there are two houses in the legislature, both with substantial powers. (Strongly bicameral or not strongly bicameral).
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
  • Trademarks > Residents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
  • Leaders > Prime Minister: Government > Leaders > Prime Minister
  • Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
  • Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader: January 1, 2004
  • Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China: The date on which each country established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
  • Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
  • Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
  • Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
  • Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Leaders > Prime Minister > Profile: Government > Leaders > Prime Minister > Profile
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
  • Leaders > Prime Minister > Summary: Government > Leaders > Prime Minister > Summary
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo: Date on which Kosovo was officially recognized as a state.
STAT Belgium Denmark HISTORY
Administrative divisions 3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark
Capital city > Geographic coordinates 50 55
Capital city > Name Brussels Copenhagen
Constitution drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state); amended many times, last in 2012 5 June 1953
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 Unit 5280, DPO, AE 09716
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch Council of State appointed by the monarch
Executive branch > Chief of state King PHILIPPE (since 21 August 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH, daughter of the monarch Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968)
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 22 October 2012); Joelle MILQUET (since 20 March 2008); Laurette ONKELINX (since 30 December 2008); Didier REYNDERS (since 30 December 2008); Pieter DE CREM (since 5 March 2013) Prime Minister Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT (since 3 October 2011)
Government type federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch Constitutional Court (12 judges, 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking, appointed by the King); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Legal system civil law system based on the French Civil Code civil law; judicial review of legislative acts
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing
Political parties and leaders <strong>Flemish parties: </strong><br />Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Wouter BEKE]<br />Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Gwendolyn RUTTEN]<br />Groen! [Wouter VAN BESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens)<br />Libertarian, Direct, Democratic or LDD (formerly Dedecker's List) [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]<br />New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]<br />Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Bruno TOBBACK]<br />Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Gerolf ANNEMANS]<br /><strong>Francophone parties:</strong><br />Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Olivier DELEUZE, Emily HOYOS]<br />Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN]<br />Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]<br />Reform Movement or MR [Charles MICHEL]<br />Socialist Party or PS [Paul MAGNETTE]<br />other minor parties Conservative People's Party or C [Lars BARFOED]<br />Danish People's Party or DF [Kristian THULESEN DAHL]<br />Liberal Alliance or LA [Anders SAMUELSEN]<br />Liberal Party or V [Lars LOKKE RAMUSSEN]<br />Red-Green Alliance (Unity List) or O [collective leadership, spokesperson Johanne SCHMIDT-NIELSEN]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDP [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]<br />Social Liberal Party or SLP [Margrethe VESTAGER]<br />Socialist People's Party or SF [Annette VILHELMSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders Federation of Belgian Industries<br /><strong>other:</strong> trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn Neergaard LARSEN]<br />Confederation of Danish Industries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]<br />Confederation of Danish Labor Unions (Landsorganisationen) or LO [President Harald BORSTING]<br />Danish Bankers Association [CEO Joergen HORWITZ]<br />DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP]<br />Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN]<br /><strong>other:</strong> environmental groups; humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
International organization participation ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Country name > Conventional long form Kingdom of Belgium Kingdom of Denmark
Civil law system The Napoleonic Code is still in use, although it is heavily modified (especially concerning family law) Scandinavian-German civil law
Executive branch > Elections the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
National symbol(s) lion lion; mute swan
Flag description three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field) red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days 4
Ranked 178th.
5.5
Ranked 167th. 38% more than Belgium

Country name > Conventional short form Belgium Denmark
Constitutional form Constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International none Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission
Government spending > Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP 50%
Ranked 5th.
51.8%
Ranked 3rd. 4% more than Belgium
Total businesses registered > Number 687,762
Ranked 21st. 40% more than Denmark
492,540
Ranked 24th.

National anthem <strong>name: </strong>"La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT <strong>name: </strong>"Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown
FAX 32 45
Legislative branch > Election results Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, SP.A 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%; seats by party - N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, SP.A 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, SP.A 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%; seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular Party 1 percent of vote by party - V 26.7%, SDP 24.9%, DF 12.3%, SLP 9.5%, SF 9.2%, O 6.7%, LA 5%, C 4.9%, other 0.8%; seats by party - V 47, SDP 44, DF 22, SLP 17, SF 16, O 12, LA 9, C 8
Legislative branch > Elections Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014) last held on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015)
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index 12.94
Ranked 19th. 83% more than Denmark
7.08
Ranked 30th.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage 38%
Ranked 17th.
39.11%
Ranked 13th. 3% more than Belgium

Independence 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne) ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace Special Court of Indictment and Revision; 2 High Courts; Maritime and Commercial Court; county courts
Basis of executive legitimacy Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Country name > Local short form Belgique/Belgie/Belgien Danmark
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press 11
Ranked 191st.
12
Ranked 188th. 9% more than Belgium
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament 34.7%
Ranked 12th.
36.9%
Ranked 6th. 6% more than Belgium

Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy 27 Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen 0
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 3
Ranked 170th.
4
Ranked 163th. 33% more than Belgium

Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote 7.8%
Ranked 2nd.
12.3%
Ranked 7th. 58% more than Belgium
Democracy > Civil and political liberties 5.5
Ranked 18th.
6
Ranked 8th. 9% more than Belgium
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ 85.52 billion$
Ranked 14th. 28% more than Denmark
67.02 billion$
Ranked 16th.

National holiday 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
Capital > Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 20 E 55 40 N, 12 35 E
Democracy > First female parliamentarian 1921 (appointed) 1918 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days 27 days
Ranked 110th. 5 times more than Denmark
5 days
Ranked 168th.

Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment 0.993
Ranked 49th.
1
Ranked 23th. 1% more than Belgium

Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice with the advice of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index 8.05
Ranked 20th.
9.52
Ranked 4th. 18% more than Belgium
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient 4.9
Ranked 26th.
5
Ranked 21st. 2% more than Belgium

Red tape > Time required to register property > Days 64
Ranked 45th. 16 times more than Denmark
4
Ranked 176th.

Politics Socialist PM Elio di Rupo, a French speaker, was appointed in late 2011 to lead a six-party coalition after 18 months of negotiations Social Democrat Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Denmark&#039;s first female PM, took office after 2011 elections ended a decade of centre-right rule
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men 93
Ranked 104th.
109
Ranked 87th. 17% more than Belgium

Country name > Local long form Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie/Koenigreich Belgien Kongeriget Danmark
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years 0.9
Ranked 164th.
1
Ranked 161st. 11% more than Belgium

Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.269
Ranked 140th.
0.716
Ranked 98th. 3 times more than Belgium

Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN (since 17 February 2008) Ambassador Peter TAKSOE-JENSEN (since 1 September 2010)
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery None None
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone [32] (2) 811-4000 [45] 33 41 71 00
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Denise BAUER (since 7 August 2013) Ambassador Rufus GIFFORD (since 15 August 2013)
Parliament > Seats held by women 57
Ranked 46th.
70
Ranked 31st. 23% more than Belgium

Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel None
None
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating 10
Ranked 5th. The same as Denmark
10
Ranked 22nd.
UN membership date 27 Dec. 1945 24 Oct. 1945
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people 0.722
Ranked 17th.
1.7
Ranked 8th. 2 times more than Belgium
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000 66.28
Ranked 20th.
91.37
Ranked 11th. 38% more than Belgium

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 13
Ranked 101st. 63% more than Denmark
8
Ranked 179th.

Capital city Brussels Copenhagen
Capital > Name Brussels Copenhagen
Legal origin <a href=/country/fr>French</a> <a href=/encyclopedia/Nordic-countries>Nordic</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita 8,161.06$ per capita
Ranked 9th.
12,374.13$ per capita
Ranked 4th. 52% more than Belgium

Spending > Expense > Current LCU 146.39 billion
Ranked 49th.
637.2 billion
Ranked 28th. 4 times more than Belgium

Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days 88
Ranked 97th. 2 times more than Denmark
38
Ranked 170th.

Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout 90.6%
Ranked 15th. 4% more than Denmark
87.1%
Ranked 22nd.
Legislature (parliament) > People per member 48,663
Ranked 59th. 58% more than Denmark
30,835
Ranked 80th.
Capital > Time difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitutional monarchy > Current constitutional monarchies > Last constitution established 1831 1849
International relations Brussels is the home of the EU and Nato Denmark has backed key international peacekeeping efforts. Danish soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million 7.9
Ranked 108th. 16% more than Denmark
6.8
Ranked 113th.

Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members 150
Ranked 61st.
179
Ranked 54th. 19% more than Belgium
Democracy > Female ministers 55%
Ranked 1st.
0.0
Ranked 120th.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days 505
Ranked 114th. 23% more than Denmark
410
Ranked 147th.

Democracy > Female parliamentarians 24.9%
Ranked 20th.
38%
Ranked 2nd. 53% more than Belgium
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number 8
Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Denmark
3
Ranked 171st.

Role of head of state Ceremonial Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita 8,161.08$
Ranked 8th.
12,366.24$
Ranked 4th. 52% more than Belgium

Administrative divisions > Note as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote) 7.8%
Ranked 2nd.
12.3%
Ranked 7th. 58% more than Belgium
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 4
Ranked 160th. 33% more than Denmark
3
Ranked 165th.

Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million 0.44
Ranked 72nd.
0.894
Ranked 48th. 2 times more than Belgium

Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong 7
Ranked 44th.
9
Ranked 16th. 29% more than Belgium

Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU 118.09 billion
Ranked 39th. 11% more than Denmark
106.53 billion
Ranked 40th.

Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU 9.84 billion
Ranked 62nd.
85.72 billion
Ranked 35th. 9 times more than Belgium

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP 0.231$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 20th.
0.259$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 13th. 12% more than Belgium

Parliament > Seats held by women per million people 5.46
Ranked 64th.
12.6
Ranked 34th. 2 times more than Belgium

Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment August 19, 1963 December 15, 1967
Democracy > Female suffrage "1919 ,1948" 1915
Political pressure groups and leaders > Other numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days 214
Ranked 42nd. 3 times more than Denmark
67
Ranked 176th.

Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Syrian National Council Verbal support Informal relations Recognised on 9 December 2012 (as legitimate representative)
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 2.33
Ranked 124th.
6.26
Ranked 80th. 3 times more than Belgium

Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million 0.359
Ranked 157th.
0.984
Ranked 119th. 3 times more than Belgium

Constitution codification > Date 1831 1849
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million 5.74
Ranked 79th. 4 times more than Denmark
1.61
Ranked 126th.

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 1.17
Ranked 112th.
1.43
Ranked 103th. 23% more than Belgium

Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million 19.21
Ranked 93th. 60% more than Denmark
11.98
Ranked 110th.

Capital > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita 66.28 per 1,000 people
Ranked 20th.
91.43 per 1,000 people
Ranked 11th. 38% more than Belgium

Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU 12.18 billion
Ranked 41st.
21.05 billion
Ranked 33th. 73% more than Belgium

Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties 506,697
Ranked 14th. 16% more than Denmark
436,726
Ranked 16th.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador Matthysen, Jan Jan Matthysen Petersen, Friis Arne Friis Arne Petersen
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons 3,898
Ranked 25th. 8% more than Denmark
3,623
Ranked 26th.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people 0.35
Ranked 31st.
0.648
Ranked 21st. 85% more than Belgium
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita 5,291.42 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 10th.
7,983.18 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 2nd. 51% more than Belgium

Time required to build a warehouse > Days 184 days
Ranked 84th. 3 times more than Denmark
70 days
Ranked 163th.

Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population 8 million
Ranked 48th. 94% more than Denmark
4.13 million
Ranked 78th.
Failed States Index 30.9
Ranked 19th. 41% more than Denmark
21.9
Ranked 29th.
Democracy > Female candidacy 1,921
Ranked 130th. About the same as Denmark
1,915
Ranked 156th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000 1.04
Ranked 15th. 6 times more than Denmark
0.175
Ranked 21st.

Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita 1.03 per 1,000 people
Ranked 12th. 6 times more than Denmark
0.175 per 1,000 people
Ranked 21st.

Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment March 10, 1992 February 1, 1992
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes 12
Ranked 10th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 17th.
National anthem > Name "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote 6.65 million
Ranked 39th. 91% more than Denmark
3.48 million
Ranked 57th.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration 7.34 million
Ranked 48th. 84% more than Denmark
4 million
Ranked 74th.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days 328 days
Ranked 131st. 73% more than Denmark
190 days
Ranked 161st.

Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita 0.381 per 1 million people
Ranked 127th.
0.553 per 1 million people
Ranked 115th. 45% more than Belgium

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Democracy and rights > Electoral system PR (list) PR (list)
Procedures to register property > Number 7
Ranked 50th. 17% more than Denmark
6
Ranked 90th.

Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 15
Ranked 103th. 2 times more than Denmark
7
Ranked 166th.

Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes 12
Ranked 10th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 16th.
Democracy and rights > Party system Multi Multi
Democracy and rights > Structure Parliamentary Parliamentary
Secession attempts the <a href=/encyclopedia/Flanders>Flemish</a> Faroes
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ 55.45 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 13th. 28% more than Denmark
43.24 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 14th.

Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita 0.668 per 1 million people
Ranked 79th.
1.1 per 1 million people
Ranked 61st. 65% more than Belgium

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita 2.58 per 1 million people
Ranked 101st.
2.76 per 1 million people
Ranked 100th. 7% more than Belgium

Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 26
Ranked 182nd.
35
Ranked 133th. 35% more than Belgium

Spending > Expense > % of GDP 42.47%
Ranked 9th. 16% more than Denmark
36.67%
Ranked 21st.

Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.718
Ranked 86th. 34% more than Denmark
0.537
Ranked 95th.

Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX [32] (2) 811-4500 [45] 35 43 02 23
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes 12
Ranked 11th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 18th.
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes 5
Ranked 7th. 67% more than Denmark
3
Ranked 13th.
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes 6.6%
Ranked 18th. 7 times more than Denmark
1%
Ranked 90th.
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX [1] (202) 338-4960 [1] (202) 328-1470
Capital city > Time difference 1 1
Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader Guy Verhofstadt Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU 60182100000 349487000000
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense 2.65%
Ranked 87th.
8.94%
Ranked 69th. 3 times more than Belgium

Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita 5,291.44 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 9th.
7,978.1 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 2nd. 51% more than Belgium

Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita 2.03 per 1,000 people
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Denmark
0.775 per 1,000 people
Ranked 14th.

Time to resolve insolvency > Years 0.9 years
Ranked 144th.
3 years
Ranked 77th. 3 times more than Belgium

Spending > Interest payments > % of expense 8.32%
Ranked 28th. 3 times more than Denmark
3.3%
Ranked 59th.

Spending > Other expense > Current LCU 3.39 billion
Ranked 53th.
14.7 billion
Ranked 38th. 4 times more than Belgium

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader Yves Leterme Lars LÇ÷kke Rasmussen
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader Yves Leterme Lars LÇ÷kke Rasmussen
Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes 5
Ranked 7th. 67% more than Denmark
3
Ranked 13th.
Trademarks > Residents per million 2,033.33
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Denmark
774.35
Ranked 14th.

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth 1.46%
Ranked 82nd. 15% more than Denmark
1.27%
Ranked 84th.

Time required to register property > Days 132 days
Ranked 32nd. 3 times more than Denmark
42 days
Ranked 98th.

Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.664
Ranked 78th.
1.1
Ranked 60th. 66% more than Belgium

Ruling party Socialist / CDV Social Democrat
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 1.42
Ranked 101st. 10% more than Denmark
1.29
Ranked 106th.

Trademarks > Nonresidents 10,695
Ranked 13th. 11 times more than Denmark
944
Ranked 33th.

Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense 6.72%
Ranked 85th.
13.45%
Ranked 68th. Twice as much as Belgium

Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense 80.67%
Ranked 2nd. 5 times more than Denmark
16.72%
Ranked 75th.

Parliament > Seats held by men per million people 8.9
Ranked 124th.
19.62
Ranked 79th. 2 times more than Belgium

Patent treaties > Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights > Accession date 1/1/1995 1/1/1995
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes 12
Ranked 10th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 17th.
Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes 12
Ranked 9th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 15th.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York Chicago, New York
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia 29.12.2003 10.4.2002
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Votes 5
Ranked 6th. 67% more than Denmark
3
Ranked 12th.
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia 17.12.2003 8.5.2002
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Votes 5
Ranked 6th. 67% more than Denmark
3
Ranked 12th.
Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review? No No
Democracy and rights > Strongly federal? Yes (since 1993) No
Parties in the European Council during 2001 > Leaders > January 1 > 2001 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_and_Flemish">CD&V</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_%28Denmark%29">Venstre</a>
Patent treaties > Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property > Accession date 7/7/1884 10/1/1894
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_and_Flemish">CD&V</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_%28Denmark%29">Venstre</a>
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 770.96
Ranked 24th. 1% more than Denmark
765.86
Ranked 28th.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.379
Ranked 126th.
0.552
Ranked 114th. 45% more than Belgium

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 27
Ranked 116th. 80% more than Denmark
15
Ranked 167th.

Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht called the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia unacceptable and a violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia. He added that Russia has created a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Europe. Foreign Minister Per Stig M\u00f8ller declared "unconditional support for Georgia's territorial integrity".
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader Herman Van Rompuy Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral? No No
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU 68764100000 401907000000
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes 12
Ranked 10th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 17th.
Parties in the European Council during 2000 > Leaders > January 1 > 2000 > Leader Guy Verhofstadt Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members 4
Ranked 116th. The same as Denmark
4
Ranked 154th.
Parties in the European Council between January and April 2004 > Leaders > January 1 > 2004 > Leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
National anthem > Note adopted 1830; Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began; according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million 45.32
Ranked 113th.
73.34
Ranked 90th. 62% more than Belgium

European Union > Council of the European Union votes 12
Ranked 11th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 19th.
Trademarks > Residents 21,010
Ranked 15th. 5 times more than Denmark
4,185
Ranked 25th.

Leaders > Prime Minister Elio di Rupo Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours 160 hours
Ranked 119th. 19% more than Denmark
135 hours
Ranked 129th.

Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita 1.43 per 1 million people
Ranked 102nd. 11% more than Denmark
1.29 per 1 million people
Ranked 107th.

Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU 3.88 billion
Ranked 69th.
56.96 billion
Ranked 33th. 15 times more than Belgium

FAX > Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York New York
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Leader Jean-Luc Dehaene Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Council of EU > January&ndash;April 2004 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China October 25, 1971 May 11, 1950
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes 12
Ranked 10th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 16th.
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Democracy and rights > Last election June 2010 October 2010
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue 8.54%
Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Denmark
3.01%
Ranked 59th.

Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone [1] (202) 333-6900 [1] (202) 234-4300
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Leader Guy Verhofstadt Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Parties in the European Council during 2003 > Leaders > January 1 > 2003 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes 12
Ranked 9th. 71% more than Denmark
7
Ranked 15th.
Democracy and rights > Next election May 2014 September 2015
Spending > Other expense > % of expense 2.32%
Ranked 72nd. About the same as Denmark
2.31%
Ranked 73th.

Leaders > Prime Minister > Profile <p>French-speaking Socialist Elio di Rupo was appointed to lead a six-party coalition in December 2011, finally giving Belgium a government after a record year-and-a-half of tortuous negotiations. </p> <p>His swearing-in put an end the country&#039;s longest political crisis, which had left Belgium increasingly under pressure from the financial markets. Only 10 days before the cabinet was formed, the Standard &amp; Poor&#039;s rating agency cut Belgium&#039;s credit score. </p> <p>The 541 days without a government came after elections - called when the previous government of centre-right Prime Minister Yves Leterme collapsed over a constitutional dispute - failed to produce a clear winner. </p> <p>The New Flemish Alliance (NVA), which calls for even greater autonomy for Flanders, emerged as the largest single grouping from the vote, although the French and Flemish Socialists together had more seats overall. The NVA also became the largest party in Flanders at local elections in October 2012.</p> <p>The dispute over francophone rights in Dutch-speaking areas near Brussels that led to the fall of Mr Leterme&#039;s government was also one of the main sticking points that protracted the formation of the new government. </p> <p>Coming to power nearly half-way through its four-year term, the new coalition faced the daunting task of pushing through an extensive programme of constitutional reform as well as an austerity bugdet that included $15.2bn dollars of savings. </p> <p>French-speaking Socialist</span> <p>The flamboyant Mr Di Rupo will be Belgium&#039;s first French speaking prime minister for more than 30 years, and Europe&#039;s second openly gay government leader after Iceland&#039;s PM, Johanna Sigurdardottir. </p> <p>He faced suspicion from more right-leaning Flemish voters at being led by a French-speaking Socialist, and has been frequently lampooned for his poor Dutch. </p> <p>Born in 1951 the son of poor Italian immigrants, his ascent to power has been portrayed as a rags-to-riches story. </p> <p>A trained chemist, Mr Di Rupo started his political career in the 1980s. He became mayor of the city of Mons in 1982. </p> <p>After serving in several other posts, he became Socialist Party leader in 1999, and was briefly prime minister (minister-president) of the largely French-speaking southern Walloon region of Belgium in 1999-2000 and 2005-7. </p> <p>Belgium&#039;s current political instability was already evident under Mr Di Rupo&#039;s predecessor, Yves Leterme, who held the prime ministerial office twice and offered his resignation three times in the three years since the previous general election of July 2007. </p> <p>Mr Leterme made little headway on the vital issue of devolving more powers to Belgium&#039;s regions, and his premiership saw frequent flare-ups of tensions between the French- and Dutch-speaking communities. </p> <p>Helle Thorning-Schmidt became Denmark&#039;s first female head of government after her alliance secured a narrow majority in parliament following elections in September 2011.</p> <p>The opposition parties ousted the rightist coalition of Lars Lokke Rasmussen in a closely fought election.</p> <p>Ms Thorning-Schmidt was a member of the European Parliament before taking over as leader of the Social Democrats in 2005. She led them to defeat in the 2007 election, having campaigned to relax immigration rules and oppose tax cuts.</p> <p>Taxation and immigration remain controversial issues among the parties of Ms Thorning-Schmidt&#039;s coalition.</p> <p>Born in 1966, Helle Thorning-Schmidt studied political science in Denmark and Belgium before working as a Danish trade union consultant in Brussels. </p> <p>She married Stephen Kinnock, the current head of the World Economic Forum and son of British Labour politicians Neil and Glenys Kinnock, in 1996. They have two daughters.</p> <p>Ms Thorning-Schmidt is known in Denmark for her stylish dress sense, leading some papers to dub her &quot;Gucci Helle&quot;. Less helpful was an official investigation into her tax affairs last year, in which she acknowledged having made a mistake in declaring Mr Kinnock a non-resident. The couple were cleared of wrongdoing.</p>
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % 38%
Ranked 18th.
39.1%
Ranked 13th. 3% more than Belgium

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 2.56
Ranked 101st.
2.76
Ranked 98th. 8% more than Belgium

Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament 221
Ranked 54th. 23% more than Denmark
179
Ranked 61st.
Leaders > Prime Minister > Summary Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo Helle Thorning-Schmidt is Denmark&#039;s first female head of government
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo None
None

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