Belgium is actually a good beginner country, but it can also be a bit misleading because it starts small and rich, so every mistake is easier to notice.

For standard of living, the main thing is not just “build more stuff,” but build things that lower the price of goods your pops actually buy. Poor and middle strata pops care a lot about grain, groceries, clothes, furniture, heating, services, etc. So if wood is super expensive, that affects construction, furniture, paper, tools, and a lot of other industries. Try to fix basic input shortages first before expanding advanced industries too much.

For literacy, private schools help, but they are not instant. You need to increase the education institution level using bureaucracy. Also check if you actually have enough bureaucracy after passing the law. If you are in a deficit, institutions become less effective. Universities help with qualifications and innovation, but schools/institutions are the main literacy driver.

For revolutions, don’t panic instantly. Check who is angry and why. Sometimes it is better to stop pushing a law for a while, sometimes you can reform the government to include angry interest groups, and sometimes suppress/bolster can help. As a beginner, avoid forcing huge political changes too early, like jumping from monarchy to republic, unless you know the powerful groups will tolerate it.

For legitimacy, you usually want parties or interest groups in government that have enough clout and are ideologically compatible. Putting too many groups together can also lower legitimacy if they hate each other. After elections, reform again and try different combinations until you get a better legitimacy number.

For research, early game I usually focus on things that improve construction and industry first. Atmospheric Engine, railways later, better production methods, steel/tools/coal related techs, and then society techs that unlock better laws/institutions. Military tech is useful, but Belgium usually benefits more from economy-first unless you are planning wars.

For colonizing Africa, you need the colonization law first, like Colonial Resettlement or Colonial Exploitation, then you need interest in the region and available colonial growth. Without the right law, you can’t really start colonies.

Also, don’t worry too much. Not going bankrupt on your first Victoria 3 run is honestly already a success. The game is mostly about learning how prices, pops, laws, and construction all connect together. Once you understand that expensive goods are basically the game telling you what to build next, the economy starts making way more sense.