Different lifestyles and opinions
Belgium lives to the rhythm of the differences that made it what it is. The socio-linguistic divide extends to almost all of the kingdom's subjects. Only the national soccer team, the Diables Rouges, is able to unite the three communities in a single patriotic spirit. The peculiarities of these different communities make it difficult to describe a unique way of life and characteristics of the population. The majority of Flemish voters are more conservative and traditional, while the Walloons are more progressive. The upsurge of the xenophobic and separatist far right in Flanders at the last elections in 2019 also shows that some Flemings have chosen to turn in on themselves, while the Walloons have stayed the course of socialism or are now leaning more towards the communist far left. There are, however, a number of character traits common to most Belgians.
Firstly, the standard of living and comfort of Belgians is generally good... despite obvious disparities. Belgian society is based on solidarity. Despite an ageing population, the social security system works. Family allowances, pensions, health insurance, unemployment benefits and paid vacations are distributed to those entitled to them. And healthcare is among the best in the world.
The Belgian compromise
Thus, Belgians are generally modest and moderate. Like their country, most of them have adopted a behaviour of peaceful conflict resolution. This is the famous Belgian-style compromise (which is nevertheless in the process of disappearing). Belgians are also good hosts and, above all, good people. You only have to look at the number of cafés and restaurants in the country to be convinced of this. The language is generally very familiar, in the good sense of the word, and the use of metaphors, more or less good, is commonplace. In contrast to the French, who are reputed to be the world champions of complainers, the Belgians are patient and courteous. They can wait for hours in an administration without blowing, stomping, banging their fists. But they can also go to a concert or the cinema, queuing calmly.
Beer, an age-old social tradition
Since the 14th century, brewers in Bruges, Lièges and Brussels have been working together to brew Belgium's favorite malt beverage. The country boasts over 200 breweries and more than 2,500 varieties of beer. Even at school fairs, it flows freely! You'll find it everywhere and in all shapes and sizes, summer and winter alike. Average annual per capita consumption has fallen to 68 liters in Belgium today, compared with 202 liters in the 1930s. That's a long way from Germany's 104 liters per capita, but more than double the French average of 33 liters per capita! But if Belgians are drinking less, they're drinking "better". While lager is still their favorite beer, consumption of specials accounts for 35% of the total. Since 2016, Belgian beer has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco under the title "Beer culture in Belgium". Quite a program.
Humor the Belgian way
While the French have been making heavy-handed jokes about Belgians and their French fries for decades, the Belgians have an unbridled, refined and impertinent sense of humor. Belgians have a marvellous sense of irony, especially the inhabitants of Brussels, who have a cheeky, insolent, politically incorrect sense of humour and a naturally wicked wit. In a nutshell: the zwanze. The famous statue on the Manneken Pis fountain in Brussels ("the little man who pisses") is the city's best-known symbol, and also personifies its sense of humor. Actors and comedians Benoît Poelvoorde and Yolande Moreau, or journalist Charline Vanhoenacker and columnist Alex Vizorek, well known in France, are perfect examples.
The bicycle, the train, the tramway
Although Belgium is highly urbanized, it can boast of having developed environmentally-friendly means of public transport in a number of cities, especially the Flemish towns influenced by the Netherlands. The most emblematic means of transport in the flat country is, of course, the bicycle. Just look at the forests of two-wheelers parked outside train stations! Bicycle paths have been developed in both town and country. The electric tramway network in major cities like Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent is highly developed. The train is an easy way to get around all the towns in this small country, as is taking your bike on board the train! Last but not least, the canals, which have existed since the Middle Ages, have segmented some towns into quiet, green pedestrian areas, as in Bruges. In the south of the country, less urbanized and more hilly, rail and public transport remain less developed, and the car is still the preferred means of transport.
The family, a well-established value
Although the number of marriages in the country continues to fall, the family remains one of the essential values of Belgian society. More than one in two newborns has unmarried parents. In the same spirit, Belgians are also renowned for investing heavily in their homes (over 75% of households are homeowners), and love to entertain friends and family there. Belgians are said to have "a brick in the belly".
The LGBTQIA+ community is well accepted
Belgium's homosexual community is sizeable, visible (especially in Antwerp, Brussels and, to a lesser extent, Liège) and well-accepted. In 2003, Belgium became the second country, after the Netherlands, to legalize same-sex marriage. Between 1,800 and 2,200 such unions take place every year. The same applies to transgender people. The appointment of Petra De Sutter, a transgender politician, to the post of Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Civil Service, was welcomed without a hitch, and the law makes it relatively easy to change one's name and gender at the civil registry office.
Expanded MAP
Since April 20, 2006, homosexual couples and single women have been authorized to adopt a child on the same basis as heterosexual couples. In practice, however, there are numerous difficulties linked to the number of children available for adoption in Belgium, and to countries refusing adoption to homosexual couples. In the case of MAP within lesbian couples, authorized since 2015, if the homosexuals are married at the time of the child's birth, the status of "legal mother" is automatically given to the spouse of the child's biological mother. Refusing to "privilege one family model over another", the legislator then authorized access to this technique to any "author of a parental project", including lesbian and single women. Here again, Belgium is a pioneer in this type of legislation.
Declining births
The birth rate is down for the 10th year running. In 2022, around 113,800 babies were born in Belgium, down 2.4% on the 2018-2021 average. It is also unbalanced on both sides of the language border. The total fertility rate will therefore fall further to 1.56 children per woman in 2022. This is insufficient to renew the population (a rate of 2.1 children per woman would be needed). Since 2021, it has also been lower in the capital (1.57) than in the other regions: 1.60 in Wallonia and 1.61 in Flanders. The average age at childbirth is 29.6. This is significantly higher in Brussels (31.8) than in Flanders and Wallonia (30.6 and 30.5). The proportion of births to foreign mothers remains in the majority in Brussels, at 51.6%! This figure is only 21.8% in the Flemish Region and 18.5% in Wallonia. The most frequently used first names also differ according to community affiliation.
A high life expectancy
Life expectancy at birth rose in Belgium in 2021 to 81.7 years for the population as a whole, according to data from Statbel, the Belgian statistics office. Life expectancy for women was 84 years, and 79.2 years for men. The longest life expectancy is found in Flanders (82.7 years). Brussels follows (81.3 years), ahead of Wallonia (79.9 years).
Legalized euthanasia
In 2002, so-called "active" euthanasia was passed after two years of debate. Active euthanasia is defined as "an act, carried out by a third party, which intentionally ends a person's life at his or her request". It is authorized only in the case of an adult patient who has voluntarily, thoughtfully and repeatedly expressed his or her wish to die in a hopeless medical situation, without external pressure. A rarity in Europe, where the debate on euthanasia is lively and regularly comes to the fore. Belgium adopted euthanasia 15 years ago, whereas today only five countries in the world practise it: Colombia, but also Belgium's neighbors with whom it shares this openness and freedom, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and recently, Spain.
An efficient education system
Belgium's education system is one of the best in Europe, ranking third. Only 15% of 18-year-olds do not go on to further education. School attendance is compulsory from age 6 to 16. For simplicity's sake, education is divided into two categories: the official or public network, organized by the State, and the free or private network, where schools are generally denominational, the majority Catholic, although there are a few Protestant and Jewish religious schools. It is interesting to note, however, that many non-practicing parents, atheists or even those who have adopted another religion, prefer to enroll their children in a Catholic school, as it has a better reputation. Today, public and free education each account for around 50% of pupils enrolled. Schooling is divided into two six-year stages (one grade is passed every two years), and the range of curricular choices is quite varied, from general education to artistic, technical or vocational training. The Belgian education system is highly decentralized, much more so than in France, both in terms of subjects and staff recruitment.
