Belgium
BE
Belgium vs France
Compare Belgium and France using 16 indicators with exactly comparable years.
Cost of living comparison
Compare Belgium and France using 16 indicators with exactly comparable years.
France
FR
Shared indicators
16
Belgium better
12
France better
4
Tie
0
Indicative result based on the count of shared indicators. Each indicator uses the latest exact year available for both countries, and no weighted composite score is applied.
Housing & Energy Costs: mixed signals
The comparison is mixed within this topic: Belgium has the more favorable reading on Energy Poverty / Cold Homes, while France has it on Home Price Affordability. The selected differences are strong and material, respectively. Against the European benchmark, Belgium is on the favorable side and France on the adverse side for Energy Poverty / Cold Homes. For Home Price Affordability, Belgium is on the adverse side of the European benchmark and France on the favorable side.
Topic: Housing & Energy Costs
Primary indicator: Energy Poverty / Cold Homes
Year: 2025
Materiality: strong
Income & Purchasing Power: more favorable reading for Belgium
Belgium has the more favorable reading on Income Inequality (Gini Index) compared with France. The difference is classified as strong. Against the European benchmark, Belgium is on the favorable side and France on the adverse side for Income Inequality (Gini Index).
Topic: Income & Purchasing Power
Primary indicator: Income Inequality (Gini Index)
Year: 2025
Materiality: strong
Poverty & Financial Hardship: more favorable reading for Belgium
Belgium has the more favorable reading on Poverty Rate compared with France. The difference is classified as strong. Against the European benchmark, Belgium is on the favorable side and France on the adverse side for Poverty Rate.
Topic: Poverty & Financial Hardship
Primary indicator: Poverty Rate
Year: 2025
Materiality: strong
Quality of Life in Europe: more favorable reading for Belgium
Belgium has the more favorable reading on Material and Social Deprivation compared with France. The difference is classified as material. Against the European benchmark, Belgium is on the favorable side and France on the adverse side for Material and Social Deprivation.
Topic: Quality of Life in Europe
Primary indicator: Material and Social Deprivation
Year: 2025
Materiality: material
Indicators comparison
11%
Persons living in households with very low work intensity (0 to 64 years)
Better outcome: France
8.9%
5.1%
Arrears on housing or utility bills
Better outcome: Belgium
10.4%
102.4 index
House price to income ratio
Better outcome: France
95.5 index
6.7%
Housing cost overburden rate
Better outcome: France
6.4%
6.6%
Overcrowding rate
Better outcome: Belgium
10.8%
4.2%
Inability to keep home adequately warm
Better outcome: Belgium
11.5%
114
GDP per capita in PPS
Better outcome: Belgium
98
23.4 index
Gini coefficient
Better outcome: Belgium
30.4 index
3.25 ratio
Income quintile share ratio S80/S20
Better outcome: Belgium
4.74 ratio
10.9%
At-risk-of-poverty rate
Better outcome: Belgium
16.3%
16.5%
Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion
Better outcome: Belgium
20.8%
22.1%
Inability to face unexpected financial expenses
Better outcome: Belgium
28.8%
82.4 years
Life expectancy at birth
Better outcome: France
83 years
9.4%
Material and social deprivation rate
Better outcome: Belgium
13.3%
2.1 rooms/person
Average number of rooms per person
Better outcome: Belgium
1.8 rooms/person
4.9%
Severe material and social deprivation rate
Better outcome: Belgium
7%
View data table
| Indicator | Country A value | Country B value | Better outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons living in households with very low work intensity (0 to 64 years) | 11% | 8.9% | France |
| Arrears on housing or utility bills | 5.1% | 10.4% | Belgium |
| House price to income ratio | 102.4 index | 95.5 index | France |
| Housing cost overburden rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | France |
| Overcrowding rate | 6.6% | 10.8% | Belgium |
| Inability to keep home adequately warm | 4.2% | 11.5% | Belgium |
| GDP per capita in PPS | 114 | 98 | Belgium |
| Gini coefficient | 23.4 index | 30.4 index | Belgium |
| Income quintile share ratio S80/S20 | 3.25 ratio | 4.74 ratio | Belgium |
| At-risk-of-poverty rate | 10.9% | 16.3% | Belgium |
| Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion | 16.5% | 20.8% | Belgium |
| Inability to face unexpected financial expenses | 22.1% | 28.8% | Belgium |
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.4 years | 83 years | France |
| Material and social deprivation rate | 9.4% | 13.3% | Belgium |
| Average number of rooms per person | 2.1 rooms/person | 1.8 rooms/person | Belgium |
| Severe material and social deprivation rate | 4.9% | 7% | Belgium |