Belgium

Belgium falls into the middle ranks (rank 14) in the category of vertical accountability.

The country has a proportional representation system with two main linguistic groups, Flemish- and French-speaking. Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and above, but abstention is not punished. Electoral lists have strong gender balance constraints.

The consociational political system typically involves a grand coalition and mutual veto rights. No party has held a majority since World War I, and the country’s political landscape is highly fragmented. Polarization and personalization have made coalition governance more difficult.

Decentralization has given considerable power to the regions, which represent different linguistic communities. A constitutional provision grants access to government documents, but the Freedom of Information law applies only to administrative functions in the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Belgium falls into the middle ranks (rank 13) in the area of diagonal accountability.

Media freedom in Belgium is constitutionally protected and widely respected in practice. The media market is divided between Flemish- and French-speaking submarkets. Public broadcasters are partly managed by political appointees, but their journalists operate independently.

The private media sector is highly concentrated. Newspapers are facing severe financial difficulties, restricting reporting capacities. Civil liberties are broadly respected, although the COVID-19 era saw instances of violence both from and against police at protests.

Belgium’s policymaking follows a consensual model. Employers’ organizations and trade unions help negotiate policy. Large noneconomic civil society groups also influence policy, and are often tied to political parties. Environmental groups often draw popular support, but with inconsistent political follow-up.

In the category of horizonal accountability, Belgium falls into the middle ranks internationally (rank 13).

The Court of Audit is independent and autonomous, but its recommendations are rarely followed by political action. The Data Protection Authority has faced governance issues, with efforts to reform the body having stalled. The judiciary operates without interference, but is underfunded.

Political and civil liberties are broadly respected. Immigration policies have become stricter, eroding the rights of refugees, while prison overcrowding has drawn criticism from Amnesty International.

Financial disclosure regulations for politicians are extensive, but oversight is weak. Corruption risks are rising, driven especially by the presence of organized crime. Parliament has sufficient resources and powers to monitor the executive, but legislative proposals tend to be offered by the government rather than by lawmakers.

Belgium falls into the lower-middle ranks internationally (rank 18) in the category of coordination.

All government proposals go through the Prime Minister’s Office, where they are discussed by the prime minister, the proposing minister and coalition party leaders. The PMO also has a policy-evaluation body with advisers specializing in specific fields.

Unofficial coordination takes place through ministerial cabinets, which include experts from at least two parties, as well as through political parties.

Many responsibilities are delegated to regions, provinces and linguistic communities. There is no formal hierarchy between the federal and regional levels. Regions can even block international treaties, as Wallonia did with CETA in 2016. Although there are few formal mechanisms to enforce common standards, EU regulations and regional ties help ensure coordination.

In the category of consensus-building, Belgium falls into the middle ranks internationally (rank 17).

Belgium’s executive and parliament occasionally draw on scientific knowledge. In politically sensitive areas like tax reform, academic and international experts have minimal influence.

Employers’ organizations and trade unions are deeply integrated into decision-making processes at both federal and regional levels, and can negotiate directly with the government. Other CSOs also play an important role, though environmental groups tend to be involved in policymaking only on a case-by-case basis.

Belgium’s data publication practices are rated below the OECD average, with data accessibility being a major issue. Data aggregations and digitalized public services are helpful, but do not help citizens hold the government accountable.

Belgium falls into the lower-middle ranks internationally (rank 18) in the area of sensemaking.

Belgium lacks a strong culture of anticipatory innovation and strategic foresight. The state works with external organizations like the OECD and European institutions for economic forecasting, but these external bodies are not fully integrated into Belgian government processes.

Regulatory impact assessments are often superficial. Environmental impact assessments are required, but their quality varies. There is no systematic ex post policy evaluation system, but individual bodies conduct reviews in some policy areas.

The complex federal system complicates sustainability policy. Regional and federal bodies often fail to agree on how to implement targets associated with policies such as the Green Deal. This can produce varying interpretations of “sustainable” across different levels.

In the area of economic sustainability, Belgium performs relatively poorly in international comparison (rank 22).

The country is a leader in circular economy policy, with high recycling rates. Financial difficulties have hampered infrastructure investment, leading to a decline in the government’s net capital stock. While Belgium is a pioneer in offshore wind power, it still relies heavily on fossil fuels.

The labor market lacks flexibility, partly due to its neocorporatist structure and strong labor market institutions. The wage-setting mechanism reduces inequality but may hinder job reallocation. The labor market performs poorly with regard to integrating migrants. Social welfare benefits are generous.

Tax revenues are high, but the tax base is narrow, placing excessive pressure on labor income. The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains worryingly high. Structural consolidation will be needed to stabilize public debt. Escalating debt ratios at the regional levels are also a concern.

Belgium performs well in international comparison (rank 6) in the area of social sustainability.

Education-system test scores have shown a decline, with growing inequalities in outcomes. Public goods and services such as higher education and healthcare are accessible and affordable, with significant support for retirees and low-income populations. Unemployment benefits cover basic living costs and are typically not time-limited.

Healthcare coverage is broad and funded through social security contributions and taxes, resulting in high levels of public satisfaction. Quality is high. However, past overspending in the healthcare sector has led to concerns about long-term sustainability.

Family support policies provide universal access to affordable childcare. Gender-based labor market segregation is an issue. Pensions are capped, but the system elicits sustainability concerns. Labor market integration for non-EU immigrants continues to be a weakness. Support for a complete halt to immigration is rising, particularly in Flanders.

Belgium falls into the middle ranks internationally (rank 14) with regard to environmental sustainability.

Disagreements between federal and regional bodies have hampered climate policies. For example, Brussels and Wallonia accepted the EU’s revised greenhouse gas reduction target of 47% by 2030, while Flanders capped its commitment at 40%. Implementation of plans has been slow.

Efforts to address environmental health risks largely derive from European decisions. Each region manages its own environmental strategy, complicating nationwide coordination. A recent contamination scandal raised concerns about water quality and public health.

The country faces major biodiversity challenges, with many species at risk. Biodiversity conservation is primarily a regional responsibility. Climate issues are largely addressed via regulations imposed by the European Union.