🇧🇿 Belize
Population: 422,924 in 2025 for Belize (North America), position 172 out of 213 worldwide. GDP per capita – Belize: $7,865 /inh. (2025), ranking 115 out of 211. Economic growth is 2.7 % (2025). The unemployment rate is 8.9 % (2025). Annual inflation stands at 1.1 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Belize, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Women's legal equality: property and inheritance (1/186), Women's legal equality: marriage (1/186), Women's legal equality: mobility (1/186).
Weaknesses – Belize, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Population living less than 5 m above sea level (205/212), Obesity among adult women (185/196), Adult obesity (183/196).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Belize has $7,865 /inh., below the regional median (North America: $19,970 /inh.).
- Unemployment: Belize has 8.9 %, above the regional median (North America: 6 %).
- Inflation (consumer prices): Belize has 1.1 %, below the regional median (North America: 2 %).
- GDP growth: Belize has 2.7 %, close to the regional median (North America: 3.1 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇩🇲Dominica176 indicators compared48/100
- 2🇻🇨St. Vincent & Grenadines203 indicators compared46/100
- 3🇦🇬Antigua & Barbuda181 indicators compared39/100
- 4🇹🇹Trinidad & Tobago214 indicators compared38/100
- 5🇯🇲Jamaica212 indicators compared38/100
- 6🇰🇳St. Kitts & Nevis178 indicators compared38/100
- 7🇩🇴Dominican Republic219 indicators compared36/100
- 8🇫🇯Fiji218 indicators compared36/100
- 9🇸🇷Suriname211 indicators compared36/100
- 10🇱🇨St. Lucia209 indicators compared36/100
- 11🇵🇦Panama220 indicators compared35/100
- 12🇵🇫French Polynesia106 indicators compared35/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net national income per capita | $4,881 /inh. | 2021 | 89 of 184 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $7,530 /inh. | 2025 | 110 of 205 |
| GDP per capita | $7,865 /inh. | 2025 | 115 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 2.7 % | 2025 | 123 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $14,966 /inh. | 2025 | 124 of 201 |
| GDP per capita growth | 1.3 % | 2025 | 133 of 211 |
| Natural resource rents | 0.5 % | 2021 | 133 of 211 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $6.3B | 2025 | 173 of 201 |
| GDP | $3.3B | 2025 | 179 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 1.1 % | 2025 | 39 of 210 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 1.1 % | 2025 | 42 of 191 |
| Real interest rate | 7.3 % | 2025 | 44 of 146 |
| Broad money supply (M3) | 77.5 % | 2025 | 48 of 164 |
| Lending interest rate | 8.5 % | 2025 | 75 of 146 |
| Official exchange rate | 2 LCU/$ | 2025 | 144 of 211 |
Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment in services | 68.5 % | 2025 | 66 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 16.1 % | 2025 | 87 of 184 |
| Self-employed workers | 35.2 % | 2025 | 88 of 184 |
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 59.1 % | 2025 | 110 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 53.9 % | 2025 | 122 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 19.3 % | 2025 | 133 of 184 |
| Employment in industry | 15.3 % | 2025 | 138 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 8.9 % | 2025 | 140 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports of goods and services | 55.2 % | 2024 | 45 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 109 % | 2024 | 53 of 192 |
| Imports of goods and services | 53.7 % | 2024 | 71 of 192 |
| Current account balance | -2.8 % | 2025 | 114 of 198 |
| Services exports | $1.2B | 2025 | 136 of 198 |
| Merchandise exports | $444M | 2025 | 168 of 205 |
| High-technology exports | 0 % | 2024 | 181 of 185 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migrant remittances received | 3.7 % | 2025 | 72 of 196 |
| Official development aid received | 1.1 % | 2023 | 95 of 160 |
| International tourist arrivals | 487,000 arr. | 2020 | 129 of 202 |
| International tourism receipts | $101M | 1998 | 159 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 0 % | 2025 | 179 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $240,004 | 2025 | 183 of 203 |
Public finances 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue | 21.3 % | 2017 | 44 of 161 |
| Budget balance | -1.2 % | 2017 | 52 of 158 |
| Central government debt | 61 % | 2014 | 70 of 109 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 24.4 % | 2017 | 75 of 159 |
| Government final consumption | 15.9 % | 2024 | 98 of 187 |
| Central government spending | 22.3 % | 2017 | 101 of 160 |
| Military spending | 1 % | 2025 | 123 of 165 |
Finance & Reserves 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| External debt | 46 % | 2024 | 67 of 121 |
| Domestic credit to the private sector | 43.1 % | 2025 | 89 of 184 |
| Reserves in months of imports | 3.5 months | 2025 | 113 of 177 |
| Total reserves (including gold) | $559.4M | 2025 | 159 of 180 |
Economic structure 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Services | 62.4 % | 2024 | 71 of 202 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 7.9 % | 2024 | 88 of 203 |
| Household final consumption | 64.3 % | 2024 | 91 of 189 |
| Gross savings | 20.3 % | 2024 | 99 of 178 |
| Gross capital formation | 19.8 % | 2024 | 132 of 185 |
| Manufacturing | 6.6 % | 2024 | 139 of 201 |
| Industry (including construction) | 14.6 % | 2024 | 164 of 205 |
Population & Vital Statistics 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 68.5 % | 2025 | 40 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 101.8 per 100 women | 2025 | 48 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 50.4 % | 2025 | 48 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 26.3 % | 2025 | 86 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 105.1 per 100 girls | 2024 | 104 of 213 |
| Births registered with civil authorities | 95.7 % | 2015 | 104 of 178 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 5.2 % | 2025 | 143 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 25.9 yrs | 2023 | 151 of 226 |
| Share of women in the population | 49.6 % | 2025 | 166 of 213 |
| Urban population | 41.6 % | 2025 | 167 of 213 |
| Population | 422,924 inhab. | 2025 | 172 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 46 per 100 | 2025 | 174 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female suicide rate | 2.3 per 100,000 | 2023 | 43 of 183 |
| Population growth | 1.39 % | 2025 | 72 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 18.1 per 1,000 | 2024 | 82 of 213 |
| Suicide rate | 9.5 per 100,000 | 2023 | 86 of 183 |
| Infant mortality | 10.8 per 1,000 | 2024 | 87 of 194 |
| Under-5 mortality | 12.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 88 of 194 |
| Children per woman | 2.02 children/woman | 2024 | 99 of 213 |
| Male suicide rate | 17 per 100,000 | 2023 | 99 of 183 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 71.1 yrs | 2024 | 109 of 213 |
| Healthy life expectancy | 61.7 yrs | 2023 | 116 of 183 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 73.7 yrs | 2024 | 118 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 76.7 yrs | 2024 | 120 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 22.6 per 100,000 | 2019 | 134 of 188 |
| Death rate | 5 per 1,000 | 2024 | 190 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undernourishment | 4.4 % | 2024 | 79 of 167 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 26.8 % | 2023 | 90 of 191 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 34 per 100,000 | 2024 | 91 of 206 |
| Physicians | 1.09 per 1,000 | 2018 | 116 of 193 |
| HIV prevalence | 1.2 % | 2024 | 122 of 152 |
| Open defecation | 0.6 % | 2022 | 126 of 211 |
| Measles vaccination | 84 % | 2024 | 129 of 191 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 94.8 % | 2024 | 132 of 211 |
| Nurses and midwives | 2.06 per 1,000 | 2023 | 134 of 196 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 84.3 % | 2024 | 141 of 211 |
| Hospital beds | 1 per 1,000 | 2023 | 147 of 190 |
| Health expenditure | 4.1 % | 2023 | 150 of 191 |
Body and lifestyle 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean body mass index of women | 30.5 kg/m² | 2016 | 11 of 190 |
| Average weight of women | 70.5 kg | 2010 | 12 of 48 |
| Tobacco use | 8.5 % | 2024 | 24 of 165 |
| Average weight of men | 74.2 kg | 2010 | 24 of 48 |
| Tobacco use among men | 15 % | 2024 | 30 of 165 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 27.5 kg/m² | 2016 | 32 of 190 |
| Tobacco use among women | 2 % | 2024 | 34 of 165 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 5 L/person | 2024 | 93 of 202 |
| Average height of men | 168.7 cm | 2014 | 125 of 198 |
| Average height of women | 156.9 cm | 2014 | 141 of 198 |
| Obesity among adult men | 33.4 % | 2024 | 171 of 196 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 14.1 % | 2024 | 173 of 207 |
| Adult obesity | 43.4 % | 2024 | 183 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult women | 53.5 % | 2024 | 185 of 196 |
Origins, languages and religions 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 9.2 % | 2020 | 10 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Jews | 0.2 % | 2020 | 17 of 192 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.7 | 2003 | 37 of 205 |
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 15.6 % | 2020 | 44 of 192 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.63 | 2003 | 50 of 203 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0.2 % | 2020 | 50 of 192 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 16.5 % | 2024 | 52 of 212 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 0.3 % | 2020 | 54 of 192 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.58 | 2003 | 70 of 204 |
| Share of the population: Christians | 74.4 % | 2020 | 81 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Muslims | 0.2 % | 2020 | 148 of 192 |
| Majority religion | Christians (over 50%) | 2020 | 114 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Inequality 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income share of the richest 10% | 30 % | 2018 | 55 of 169 |
| Extreme poverty | 1 % | 2018 | 66 of 169 |
| Gini index | 39.9 | 2018 | 123 of 169 |
| Income share of the poorest 20% | 5.8 % | 2018 | 123 of 169 |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of neighboring countries | 2 countries | 2026 | 108 of 223 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 17.2 ° | 2026 | 117 of 232 |
| Length of coastline | 386 km | 2026 | 117 of 227 |
| Length of land borders | 542 km | 2026 | 136 of 230 |
| Total area | 22,966 km² | 2024 | 147 of 212 |
| Land area | 22,810 km² | 2024 | 147 of 212 |
| Population density | 18.3 inh./km² | 2024 | 188 of 212 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewable fresh water per person | 37,891 m³/inh. | 2022 | 14 of 181 |
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Average annual rainfall | 1,705 mm | 2022 | 47 of 180 |
| Average elevation | 173 m | 2026 | 136 of 166 |
| Highest point | 1,124 m | 2026 | 152 of 229 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 33.9 % | 2015 | 205 of 212 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land areas | 37.3 % | 2025 | 24 of 210 |
| Forest cover | 58 % | 2024 | 36 of 210 |
| Arable land | 4.6 % | 2024 | 138 of 204 |
| Agricultural land | 8.2 % | 2024 | 182 of 207 |
Democracy & Elections 1
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
Governance & Rule of Law 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | 0.81 | 2025 | 57 of 205 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | 0.21 | 2025 | 91 of 203 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | -0.14 | 2025 | 101 of 205 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -0.18 | 2025 | 123 of 203 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | -0.37 | 2025 | 124 of 205 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -0.55 | 2025 | 139 of 203 |
Women's rights 16
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,954 | 2025 | 99 of 189 |
| Share of women in parliament | 12.5 % | 2025 | 161 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 5.6 % | 2025 | 173 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | 98 days or more of paid leave | 2025 | 121 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 65 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Equal rights for sons and daughters | 2025 | 146 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Not written into law | 2025 | 88 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Equal rights for men and women | 2025 | 165 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | No complete prohibition | 2025 | 29 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | One to three areas covered | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | Law covering some forms of violence | 2025 | 38 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 62.5 /100 | 2025 | 31 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 83.3 /100 | 2025 | 60 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 64.2 /100 | 2025 | 112 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 33.3 /100 | 2025 | 119 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 62.5 /100 | 2025 | 122 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 25 /100 | 2025 | 122 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 25 /100 | 2025 | 155 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 50 /100 | 2025 | 163 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | 2 pts | 2025 | 89 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Same as for different-sex couples | 2025 | 120 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | No legal provision | 2025 | 45 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | No protection | 2025 | 107 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 28.1 per 100,000 | 2022 | 179 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | State party | 2026 | 117 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Retained and applied | 2026 | 53 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Decriminalized | 2026 | 26 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of modern contraceptives | 48.5 % | 2016 | 81 of 181 |
| Unmet need for contraception | 22.2 % | 2016 | 103 of 150 |
| Maternal mortality | 67 per 100,000 | 2023 | 111 of 192 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 94.6 % | 2020 | 137 of 204 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 55.6 per 1,000 | 2024 | 156 of 213 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed for economic or social reasons | 2026 | 12 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 0.5 /10 | 2024 | 37 of 186 |
| Legal monthly minimum wage | $520 | 2024 | 56 of 168 |
| Statutory monthly minimum wage in purchasing power parity | $940 | 2024 | 56 of 168 |
| Employees covered by a collective agreement | 9.1 % | 2012 | 80 of 99 |
| Trade union membership rate | 7.4 % | 2019 | 116 of 137 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 32 % | 2021 | 137 of 210 |
Family & Nationality 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 5 yrs | 2026 | 66 of 152 |
| Women married before age 18 | 33.5 % | 2016 | 123 of 144 |
| Dual nationality | Dual nationality recognised | 2026 | 78 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | All four conditions are met | 2025 | 45 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Nationality acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 38 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Not recognized (prohibited) | 2026 | 107 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 8 yrs | 2025 | 154 of 194 |
| Age of entry into primary school | 5 yrs | 2025 | 184 of 207 |
| Compulsory military service | Provided for by law but suspended or not enforced | 2025 | 9 countries out of 134 in the same category |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Belize?
Belize has about 422,924 inhabitants (2025), ranking 172 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Belize?
GDP per capita is $7,865 /inh. (2025): Belize ranks 115 out of 211 countries.
What is the inflation rate in Belize?
Annual inflation is 1.1 % (2025); Belize ranks 42 out of 191 (ranked from lowest to highest).
What is the unemployment rate in Belize?
The unemployment rate is 8.9 % (2025); Belize ranks 140 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Belize stand in its region (North America)?
GDP per capita: Belize has $7,865 /inh., below the regional median (North America: $19,970 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Belize come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.