Formal Borrowing Statistics in Belgium (2026)

48% of adults in Belgium borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, World Bank Global Findex data show. Down from 48.3% in 2017 to 48% in 2021 (−0.4 percentage points). Belgium ranks #13 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #21 of 142 globally.

Key Statistics

Latest value (2021): 48% (2021); Formal Borrowing in Belgium as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
Change since 2017: −0.4 pp (2021); Down from 48.3% in 2017 to 48% in 2021 (−0.4 percentage points).
Earliest value in this dataset (2014): 45.3% (2014); Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 45.3% in 2014 to 48% in 2021.
Peak value (2017): 48.3% (2017); Highest value in the available series; the 2021 value is 48%.
Rank in Europe & Central Asia: #13 of 46 (2021); Belgium ranks 13 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank: #21 of 142 (2021); Belgium ranks 21 of 142 countries with data globally.
Europe & Central Asia average: 33.3% (2021); Belgium (48%) is above the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
Among women (2021): 44% (2021); Value for women in Belgium, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Among men (2021): 52.1% (2021); Value for men in Belgium, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Gender gap (women minus men): −8.2 pp (2021); In 2021, the figure was 44% for women and 52.1% for men — 8.2 percentage points lower among women.
Among the poorest 40% (2021): 41.8% (2021); Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Belgium in 2021.
Poorest-40% gap vs national: −6.2 pp (2021); The poorest 40% (41.8%) are 6.2 percentage points below the national figure (48%).
Internet use in Belgium (2024): 95.8% (2024); 95.8% of the population in Belgium used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024): 11.9 million (2024); Belgium had a population of 11.9 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.

Trend, 2014–2021

Formal Borrowing in Belgium by year (% of adults (age 15+))
Year	% of adults (age 15+)	Change
2021	48%	−0.4 pp
2017	48.3%	+3.0 pp
2014	45.3%	—

Fig. 1 — Formal Borrowing in Belgium, 2014–2021

Frequently asked questions

What share of adults in Belgium borrowed from a formal financial institution?

48% of adults in Belgium borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.

Where does the formal borrowing data for Belgium come from?

The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fin22a). The latest observation for Belgium is from 2021; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.

How has formal borrowing in Belgium changed over time?

World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 45.3% in 2014 to 48% in 2021.

How does Belgium compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?

Belgium ranks 13 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 48% versus a regional average of 33.3% (latest values per country).

Where does Belgium rank globally on formal borrowing?

Belgium ranks 21 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.

Source & methodology

Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator fin22a, retrieved 2026-06-10.

Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.

Last updated 2026-06-10.