what language people speak in belgium?
French Language German Language Dutch Language
entailment
 As the independent state of Belgium consolidated after the Revolution , the issue of a consensus language in the country became an increasingly important political question . At the start of the period , French was the dominant language , and was the only language that was approved for use in legal and government business anywhere in the country . It was also the language of the economic and social elite , even in Flanders . By the 1860s , with Flemish dialects in decline , increasing numbers of Flemish people of all social classes were bilingual , paralleling a similar decline in northern France . However , partly inspired by a resurgence in Flemish literature and culture , the Flamingant political movement began to develop , with their first political parties formed in the 1860s and 70s . Political agitation by Flamingant groups , often directed by local priests , led to Belgium becoming officially bilingual in 1870 . Teaching Dutch in all secondary schools in Flanders became compulsory , reinforcing the language 's presence . By 1898 , Dutch was officially recognized as an equal language to French in legal matters . During the first decades of the 20th century , the Flemish Movement became increasingly radicalized and began to develop as a mass political movement ( although not a united one ) , fully emerging during the First World War . 

entailment
 In 1846 , 57 percent of Belgians spoke dialects of Dutch or Flemish as their primary language while 42 percent spoke dialects of French , such as Walloon , Picard or Gaumais . Under one percent of the population spoke German . Across the country , the aristocracy and middle classes spoke French , often as a second language , and French was the language of the legal system and government . There was a huge variation in accents , spelling and grammar across the country , particularly in Flanders , where regional dialects were almost incomprehensible to those from other regions . 

neutral
 Belgium 's main football rivals are its neighbours the Netherlands and France , with which it shares close cultural and political relations . The matchup between the Belgian and Dutch team is known as the Low Countries derby ; as of June 2016 they have played each other in 125 official games . The clash between the Belgian and French sides is nicknamed le Match Sympathique in French ( " the Friendly Match " ) ; they have contested 73 official games as of June 2016 . 

neutral
 Belgium has been a kingdom since 21 July 1831 without interruption , after it became independent from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands with Léopold I as its first king . Belgium is the only remaining popular monarchy in the world : The monarch is formally known as the " King of the Belgians " , not the " King of Belgium " . While in a referendum held on 12 March 1950 , 57 @.@ 68 per cent of the Belgians voted in favor of allowing Léopold III , whose conduct during World War II had been considered questionable and who had been accused of treason , to return to the throne ; due to civil unrest , he opted to abdicate in favor of his son Baudouin I on 16 July 1951 . The current monarch is Philippe . 

neutral
 In 1784 , Belgium 's population was 2 @.@ 6 million , with just 25 percent living in cities . During the 19th century , the population both expanded and urbanized . Between 1830 and 1875 the population of Brussels grew from 100 @,@ 000 to 180 @,@ 000 , and by 1910 the population of the metropolitan area soared to 750 @,@ 000 . The population of Belgium was almost universally Roman Catholic , though free @-@ thinking movements like Freemasonry were also popular among intellectuals and the urban middle classes . 
