World · permanent entity record · BH
Belize
Thirty-second orientation
Belize at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Belizean(s); adjective: Belizean
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5% (2010 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Belize through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Belize became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 422,924World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 421,960 (2025 est.) male: 208,844 female: 213,116CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $3.3 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $7,865
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 73.7 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 41.6%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 99.6%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 80.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Belmopan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 22,966 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 422,924
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Belizean dollars (BZD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5% (2010 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Belizean(s); adjective: Belizean
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- North America
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Central America and the Caribbean.”
- Coastline
- 386 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- blue, red, white, green
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- Baird's tapir (a large forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, black orchid
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Doyle's Delight · 3,688 ft (1,124 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Caribbean Sea · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992, and the two countries are still involved in an ongoing border dispute. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Map references
- Central America and the Caribbean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than Massachusetts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 542 km border countries (2): Guatemala 266 km; Mexico 276 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act (1992), the purpose of this limit is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 173 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 8% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.2% (2023 est.) forest: 58.3% (2023 est.) other: 33.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society34 fields
- Population
- total: 421,960 (2025 est.) male: 208,844 female: 213,116
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, White 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3% (2010 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5% (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 58,529/female 56,811) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 135,903/female 141,503) 65 years and over: 5.5% (2024 est.) (male 11,463/female 11,580)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 49.4 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 40.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 11.6 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 27.2 years (2025 est.) male: 26.4 years female: 27.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 17.44 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 46.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 67 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 74.3 years (2024 est.) male: 72.6 years female: 76.1 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.02 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 2% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 5% of GDP (2021) 11.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.09 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 1 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 95.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 97.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 4.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.7% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 5.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 8.3% (2025 est.) male: 14.8% (2025 est.) female: 1.8% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 4.6% (2015/16)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 6.3% (2016) women married by age 18: 33.5% (2016) men married by age 18: 22.2% (2016)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 18.9% national budget (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 87.9% (2022 est.) male: 87.9% (2022 est.) female: 87.9% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 12 years (2023 est.) male: 12 years (2023 est.) female: 12 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; inability to properly dispose of solid waste
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 8% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.2% (2023 est.) forest: 58.3% (2023 est.) other: 33.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 46.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 662,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 3 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 662,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 101,400 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10.4% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 11.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 68.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 21.734 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras etymology: traditionally believed to be derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the last name of Scottish explorer Peter Wallace, who settled in the area in 1638; alternatively, may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name is formed from two words: "Belize," the name of the longest river in the country, and "Mopan," one of the rivers in the area that empties into the Belize River
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: previous 1954, 1963 (pre-independence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981 amendment process: proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021) head of government: Prime Minister John BRICEÑO (since 12 November 2020) cabinet: governor general appoints Cabinet from among members of the National Assembly, on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: National Assembly legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: House of Representatives number of seats: 32 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/12/2025 parties elected and seats per party: People's United Party (PUP) (26); United Democratic Party (UDP) (5) percentage of women in chamber: 12.5% expected date of next election: March 2030
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate number of seats: 13 (all appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/9/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 35.7% expected date of next election: May 2030
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); the Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Belize People’s Front or BPF Belize Progressive Party or BPP (formed in 2015 from a merger of the People's National Party, elements of the Vision Inspired by the People, and other smaller political groups) People's United Party or PUP United Democratic Party or UDP Vision Inspired by the People or VIP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 email address and website: reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Katharine BEAMER (since 23 August 2025) embassy: 4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo mailing address: 3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC 20521-3050 telephone: (501) 822-4011 FAX: (501) 822-4012 email address and website: ACSBelize@state.gov https://bz.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: royal blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; the coat of arms is on a large white disk at the center and shows a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree, with the motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom; a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves rings the coat of arms meaning: the figures, the mahogany tree, and the garland refer to the logging industry that led the British to settle Belize; blue and red are the colors of the two main political parties note: Belize has the only national flag that depicts humans; the flags of two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- Baird's tapir (a large forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, black orchid
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Land of the Free" lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG history: adopted 1981 _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy30 fields
- Economic overview
- tourism- and agriculture-driven economy; strong post-pandemic rebound; innovative and ecological bond restructuring that significantly lowered public debt and expanded marine protections; central bank offering USD-denominated treasury notes; high mobility across borders
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $5.538 billion (2024 est.) $5.12 billion (2023 est.) $5.062 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 8.2% (2024 est.) 1.1% (2023 est.) 9.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $13,300 (2024 est.) $12,500 (2023 est.) $12,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $3.516 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 3.3% (2024 est.) 4.4% (2023 est.) 6.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 8.1% (2023 est.) industry: 14.3% (2023 est.) services: 62.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 62.9% (2023 est.) government consumption: 15.7% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -2.3% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 55.3% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, maize, bananas, sorghum, soybeans, chicken, rice, oranges, fruits, plantains (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 4.8% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 190,000 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 7% (2024 est.) 8.3% (2023 est.) 8.8% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 16.3% (2024 est.) male: 10.6% (2024 est.) female: 25.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 39.9 (2018 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.2% (2018 est.) highest 10%: 30% (2018 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 4.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 4.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 5% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $554.405 million (2017 est.) expenditures: $506.316 million (2017 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 99% of GDP (2017 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$51.762 million (2024 est.) -$19.761 million (2023 est.) -$235.566 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $1.64 billion (2024 est.) $1.536 billion (2023 est.) $1.369 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- USA 22%, UK 14%, Spain 9%, Guatemala 7%, Portugal 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- raw sugar, bananas, fish, shellfish, refined petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $1.724 billion (2024 est.) $1.573 billion (2023 est.) $1.574 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- USA 37%, China 17%, Guatemala 10%, Mexico 8%, Costa Rica 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, orthopedic appliances, ships, garments, tobacco (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $498.087 million (2024 est.) $473.729 million (2023 est.) $482.146 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $1.235 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2024 est.) 2 (2023 est.) 2 (2022 est.) 2 (2021 est.) 2 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy6 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 98.6% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98.4% electrification - rural areas: 97.1%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 220,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 595.389 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 283.8 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 140.519 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 52.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 32.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 6.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 30.752 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 17,800 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 271,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 67 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- 8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 72% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 39,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- V3
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 774 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 49, general cargo 410, oil tanker 64, other 251
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 0 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Belize City, Big Creek
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard (BCG) (2025) note: the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security is responsible for oversight of the BDF and the Coast Guard, while the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries has responsibility for the Belize Police Department (BPD) and prisons
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 1,500 BDF personnel (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military has a small inventory consisting mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-23 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient, but conscription has never been implemented; initial service obligation is 12 years (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Belize Defense Force (BDF) is responsible for external security but also provides some support to civilian authorities; it has limited powers of arrest within land and shoreline areas, while the Coast Guard has arrest powers and jurisdiction within coastal and maritime areas; the BDF traces its history back to the Prince Regent Royal Honduras Militia, a volunteer force established in 1817; the BDF was established in 1978 from the disbanded Police Special Force and the Belize Volunteer Guard to assist the resident British forces with the defense of Belize against Guatemala the British Army has maintained a presence in Belize since its independence; the presence consists of a small training support unit that provides jungle training to troops from the UK and international partners (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.