Belgians

Belgians are people from Belgium, or citizens of Belgian nationality. Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with a federal system that allocates powers to communities and regions. The country has about 11.5 million residents. Official languages are Dutch, French, and German. The population is organized into three linguistic communities: the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region in the north (Dutch-speaking), the French Community and the Walloon Region in the south (French-speaking), and the Brussels-Capital Region, which is officially bilingual and predominantly Francophone.

Belgium emerged as an independent kingdom in 1830 and later developed a federal framework to address linguistic and regional differences. The modern state comprises three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and multiple communities, with political life characterized by coalition governments and ongoing debates over language policy and regional autonomy.

Belgian culture and the economy are notable features of the country. Belgians are associated with a high-quality economy in Western Europe. The country is known for chocolate, beer, waffles, and culinary traditions, as well as medieval towns, architecture, and the arts. Major sectors include services, manufacturing, and research, with Brussels hosting European Union institutions and other international bodies.

Identity and diaspora: Within Belgium, people often identify as Flemish, Francophone, or bilingual, in addition to national citizenship. There is also a Belgian diaspora in neighboring countries and beyond.