1. Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxembourg Brian James

2. The Nations Country: Capital: Land Area: (Square km)BelgiumBrussels30,528NetherlandsAmsterdam41,526LuxembourgLuxembourg2,586

3. Population Population (Density per sq. km) Growth Rate (Net Migration Rate) Life Expectancy Ethnic Groups Netherlands 16.4 Million 395.1 0.53% 2.8 per 1000 Men 76.3 Females 81.5 Dutch 83% Other 17%Belgium 10.4 Million 339.5.15% 1.23 per 1000 Men 75.4 Females 82.0 Fleming 58% Walloon 31% Other 11%Luxembourg 468,571 181.2 1.25% 8.8 per 1000 Men 75.5 Females 82.2 Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian & Slavs

4. Economies GDP Belgium$316.2 Billion Netherlands$481.1 Billion Luxembourg $27.3 BillionBelgiumNetherlandsLuxembourgEUAgriculture1.3%2.4%0.5%2.2% Industry25.7%24.5%16.3%28.3% Services73.0%73.1583.1%69.4% GDP Consumption by Sectors

5. Employment and Consumers ► Belgium  Jobs are dependent on economic cycle ► Netherlands  Very stable economy ► Luxembourg  Inflation may be due to level of growth and higher living standards

6. Governments BelgiumNetherlandsLuxembourg Revenue $173.7 Billion$256.9 Billion$13.74 Billion Expenditure $174.8 Billion$274.4 Billion$14.49 Billion Balance -$1.1 Billion-$17.5 Billion-$0.75 Billion Budgets by Government Current Account Balance Belgium $11.4 Billion Netherlands $19.9 Billion Luxembourg $3.0 Billion Public Debt Belgium96.2% of GDP Netherlands55.8% of GDP LuxembourgN/A

7. European Monetary Union ► Keep inflation at or below 2% ► Small nations have fewer challenges  Try not to step on toes ► Public Debt  100% of GDP in Belgium must decrease

8. Fiscal Policies ► Belgium  Contributes €3.9 Billion ► Netherlands  Contributes €6.3 Billion ► Luxembourg  Contributes €0.194 Billion ► All contribute more to the EU than they receive

9. EU Policies and Subsidies ► Agriculture ► Common Transport Policy  Control state subsidies of railroad  Belgium 54.8%  Netherlands 5.7%

10. Social Policies ► Unemployment  All under EU average ► Social Security  Aging population ► Immigration  Small nations  Growth in Luxembourg

11. External Relations ► Belgium  Transportation Hub  Dependent on world market for resources  Trial of War Criminals ► Netherlands  Industry has many foreign investors  Growth dependent on transportation and foreign trade ► Luxembourg  Financial sector accounts for 22% of GDP  Foreign and cross-border workers make up 30% of labor