Photo: Gf uip · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Belgium: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Belgium is placed 32nd of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 126.93 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 35.2 (2024).
Share
Energy
32nd
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Belgium on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
126.93
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Belgium: 126.93. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Western Europe
- 40.34 France
- Land neighbours
- France 40.34 · Luxembourg 125.83 · Netherlands 250.77
35.2
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Belgium: 35.2. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Western Europe
- 90.73 Luxembourg
- Land neighbours
- France 27.53 · Luxembourg 90.73 · Netherlands 50.74
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
77.1
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 16th of 99 by World Energy Council
Belgium: 77.1. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Western Europe
- 82.1 Switzerland
- Land neighbours
- Germany 80.2 · France 80.6 · Luxembourg 77.3 · Netherlands 77.6
02Over time
Which way Belgium is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
BelgiumWorld median
Belgium fell from 269.71 in 2000 to 126.93 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Belgium World median 2024 127 433.7 2023 135 452.7 2022 139 476.3 2021 132 469.0 2020 167 482.0 2019 157 488.2 2018 187 500.4 2017 160 506.3 2016 159 521.9 2015 215 524.8 2014 190 522.3 2013 184 508.8 2012 203 525.4 2011 193 521.4 2010 213 515.5 2009 217 533.6 2008 218 517.2 2007 224 535.3 2006 232 537.5 2005 241 521.4 2004 248 523.1 2003 249 543.1 2002 250 551.3 2001 253 559.3 2000 270 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
BelgiumWorld median
Belgium rose from 1.268 in 2000 to 35.2 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Belgium World median 2024 35.21 32.062 2023 33.44 28.000 2022 25.90 28.881 2021 22.89 28.286 2020 26.56 27.125 2019 20.98 26.296 2018 23.23 25.505 2017 18.51 24.023 2016 16.90 22.218 2015 21.10 21.915 2014 17.15 21.151 2013 14.30 21.593 2012 12.89 19.869 2011 9.36 18.584 2010 7.06 18.572 2009 6.06 17.886 2008 5.32 15.923 2007 4.02 15.586 2006 3.55 15.392 2005 2.50 16.438 2004 1.81 16.445 2003 1.44 16.339 2002 1.41 13.826 2001 1.37 14.023 2000 1.27 15.612
03In context
Belgium beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Belgium and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Luxembourg | 14th | 125.83 | 90.73 | 77.3 |
 France | 26th | 40.34 | 27.53 | 80.6 |
 Netherlands | 31st | 250.77 | 50.74 | 77.6 |
| Belgium | 32nd | 126.93 | 35.2 | 77.1 |
 Germany | not placed | — | — | 80.2 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Belgium in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Belgium is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Belgium does better than the middle country measured.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2384.4848.23▼ Worsened since 2013
Belgium: 84.48 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2680.5933.26▼ Worsened since 2013
Belgium: 80.59 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27929.735.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Belgium: 29.73 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8510.3124.85No earlier reading
Belgium: 10.31 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3276.3437.32No real change since 2014
Belgium: 76.34 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 39th of 162 · derived.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Belgium does worse than the middle country measured.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7383.6392.738▲ Improved since 2014
Belgium: 3.639 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7737.3125.77No earlier reading
Belgium: 37.31 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 47th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.217.283.21No real change since 2014
Belgium: 7.28 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 37th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Belgium: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Belgium: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000▲ Improved since 2014
Belgium: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 041.130No real change since 2014
Belgium: 41.13 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1449.7520.144Moved since 2014
Belgium: 9.752 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.5192.549.5No real change since 2014
Belgium: 192.5 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1003,966100No earlier reading
Belgium: 3,966 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 013.610Moved since 2014
Belgium: 13.61 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04911.273.049Moved since 2014
Belgium: 11.27 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.4430.077No real change since 2014
Belgium: 0.443 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58518.652.585Moved since 2014
Belgium: 18.65 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 00.0150Moved since 2014
Belgium: 0.015 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.850.72412.85No real change since 2014
Belgium: 0.724 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Belgium: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
Belgium: 0 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2732.9164.273No earlier reading
Belgium: 2.916 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
No current reading for Belgium
Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2022), RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Belgium’s 16 topics
Energy is Belgium’s 12th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Development & Human Capital7th of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality6th of 1593/3 keys
- Gender & Equality7th of 1834/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation9th of 1764/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties21st of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade22nd of 1774/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing26th of 2004/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions28th of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge29th of 1983/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture30th of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 35th of 1934/4 keys
- Energy32nd of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology39th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 46th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 54th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability155th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Belgium can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysHighest in Western Europe
Austria7th3/3 keysThis page
Belgium32nd3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Belgium on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Belgium rank on energy?
Belgium is placed 32nd of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Belgium?
126.93 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Belgium?
35.2 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Belgium compare with Germany on energy?
Germany is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and Belgium 32nd. World Energy Trilemma Index: Germany 80.2, Belgium 77.1.
How have Belgium’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 269.71 in 2000 to 126.93 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 1.268 in 2000 to 35.2 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Belgium?
No current reading is published for Belgium on Primary Schools with Electricity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Belgium’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Belgium (banner) — Gf uip, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Belgium: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/belgium/energy