{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "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 involved in an ongoing border dispute. Both nations have voted to send the dispute for final resolution to the International Court of Justice. 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." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "17 15 N, 88 45 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Central America and the Caribbean" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "22,966 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "22,806 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "160 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly smaller than Massachusetts" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "542 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "Guatemala 266 km; Mexico 276 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "386 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; 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 limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)" }, "Terrain": { "text": "flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Doyle's Delight 1,124 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Caribbean Sea 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "173 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "6.9% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "60.6% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "32.5% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "35 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "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" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "419,137 (2023 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Belizean(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Belizean" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "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": "note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin" }, "Languages": { "Languages": { "text": "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%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.)" }, "major-language sample(s)": { "text": "
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)

La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)" } }, "Religions": { "text": "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.)" }, "Demographic profile": { "text": "

Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.

Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation.

" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "30.93% (male 66,160/female 63,478)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "64.15% (male 134,019/female 134,867)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "4.92% (2023 est.) (male 9,741/female 10,872)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "49.7" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "42.3" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "7.4" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "13.5 (2021 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "23.9 years" }, "male": { "text": "23 years" }, "female": { "text": "24.8 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "1.61% (2023 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "20.93 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "3.89 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "-0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "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" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "46.6% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "0.99 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.9 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1 male(s)/female (2023 est.)" } }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "130 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "10.9 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "12.08 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "9.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "76.08 years" }, "male": { "text": "74.49 years" }, "female": { "text": "77.75 years (2023 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "2.59 children born/woman (2023 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "1.26 (2023 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "51.4% (2015/16)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 100% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 99.4% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 99.7% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0.6% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "6.9% of GDP (2020)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "1.08 physicians/1,000 population (2018)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "1 beds/1,000 population (2017)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99.1% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 95.7% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 97.3% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0.9% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 4.3% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "24.1% (2016)" }, "Alcohol consumption per capita": { "total": { "text": "5.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "beer": { "text": "3.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "wine": { "text": "0.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "spirits": { "text": "1.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "other alcohols": { "text": "0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" } }, "Tobacco use": { "total": { "text": "8.5% (2020 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "15.1% (2020 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "1.8% (2020 est.)" } }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "4.6% (2015/16)" }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "64.3% (2023 est.)" }, "Child marriage": { "women married by age 15": { "text": "6.3%" }, "women married by age 18": { "text": "33.5%" }, "men married by age 18": { "text": "22.2% (2016 est.)" } }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "8.7% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "Literacy": { "total population": { "text": "NA" }, "male": { "text": "NA" }, "female": { "text": "NA" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "13 years" }, "male": { "text": "12 years" }, "female": { "text": "13 years (2021)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "19.3%" }, "male": { "text": "12.2%" }, "female": { "text": "31.9% (2021 est.)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation; water pollution, including pollution of Belize's Barrier Reef System, from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; inability to properly dispose of solid waste" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "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": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "6.9% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "60.6% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "32.5% (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "46.6% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Revenue from coal": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "21.23 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "0.57 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "0.55 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "101,379 tons (2015 est.)" } }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { "text": "10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "industrial": { "text": "20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "agricultural": { "text": "70 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "21.73 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "none" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Belize" }, "former": { "text": "British Honduras" }, "etymology": { "text": "may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word \"belix,\" meaning \"muddy-watered\"" } }, "Government type": { "text": "parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Belmopan" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "17 15 N, 88 46 W" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "the decision to move the capital of the country inland to higher and more stable land was made in the 1960s; the name chosen for the new city was formed from the union of two words: \"Belize,\" the name of the longest river in the country, and \"Mopan,\" one of the rivers in the area of the new capital that empties into the Belize River" } }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo" }, "Independence": { "text": "21 September 1981 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981" }, "amendments": { "text": "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; amended several times, last in 2017" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "English common law" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "yes" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "yes" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "yes" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "5 years" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Juan Antonio BRICENO (since 12 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Cordel HYDE (since 16 November 2020)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "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" } }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "bicameral National Assembly consists of:
Senate (14 seats, including the president); members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, non-governmental organizations in good standing, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year terms
House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)" }, "elections": { "text": "
Senate -  last appointed 11 November 2020 (next appointments in November 2025)
House of Representatives - last held on 11 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025)" }, "election results": { "text": "Senate - all members appointed; composition as of March 2022 - composition - men 9, women 5, percent of women 35.7%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PUP 59.6%, UDP 38.8%, other 1.6%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 5; composition as of March 2022 -  men 27, women 4, percent of women 12.9%; note - total percent of women in the National Assembly 20%" }, "note": " " }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { "text": "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); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "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; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Magistrates' Courts; Family Court" } }, "Political parties and leaders": { "text": "Belize Progressive Party or BPP [Wil MAHEIA] (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 [Juan Antonio \"Johnny\" BRICENO]
United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver Barrow and Patrick FABER]
Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Hubert ENRIQUEZ]" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ACP, 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" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 332-9636" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (202) 332-6888" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz

https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/" }, "consulate(s) general": { "text": "Los Angeles, New York (consular services temporarily suspended beginning 18 December 2020)" }, "consulate(s)": { "text": "Miami" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Michelle KWAN (since 5 December 2022)" }, "embassy": { "text": "Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo" }, "mailing address": { "text": "3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC  20521-3050" }, "telephone": { "text": "(501) 822-4011" }, "FAX": { "text": "(501) 822-4012" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
ACSBelize@state.gov

https://bz.usembassy.gov/" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "royal blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize", "note": "note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors: red, blue" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "Land of the Free" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG" }, "note": "note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)" }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "1 (natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { "text": "Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System" } } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "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" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": { "text": "$3.505 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020": { "text": "$3.042 billion (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019": { "text": "$3.513 billion (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2021": { "text": "15.23% (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2020": { "text": "-13.4% (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2019": { "text": "4.5% (2019 est.)" } }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2021": { "text": "$8,800 (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2020": { "text": "$7,700 (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2019": { "text": "$9,000 (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$1.854 billion (2017 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": { "text": "3.24% (2021 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020": { "text": "0.12% (2020 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019": { "text": "0.19% (2019 est.)" } }, "Credit ratings": { "Moody's rating": { "text": "Caa3 (2020)" }, "Standard & Poors rating": { "text": "CCC+ (2020)" }, "note": "note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained." }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "10.3% (2017 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "21.6% (2017 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "68% (2017 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "75.1% (2017 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "15.2% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "22.5% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "1.2% (2017 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "49.1% (2017 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-63.2% (2017 est.)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "sugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans" }, "Industries": { "text": "garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "15.08% (2021 est.)" }, "Labor force": { "text": "176,900 (2021 est.)", "note": "note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "10.2%" }, "industry": { "text": "18.1%" }, "services": { "text": "71.7% (2007 est.)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2021": { "text": "8.22% (2021 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2020": { "text": "8.46% (2020 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2019": { "text": "6.71% (2019 est.)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "19.3%" }, "male": { "text": "12.2%" }, "female": { "text": "31.9% (2021 est.)" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "41% (2013 est.)" }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "NA" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "NA" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$583 million (2019 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$656 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "99% of GDP (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt 2016": { "text": "95.9% of GDP (2016 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "21.16% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "1 April - 31 March" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2021": { "text": "-$162.434 million (2021 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2020": { "text": "-$127.92 million (2020 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2019": { "text": "-$184.646 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2021": { "text": "$1.044 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Exports 2020": { "text": "$714.624 million (2020 est.)" }, "Exports 2019": { "text": "$1.102 billion (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports." }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "United States 16%, United Kingdom 16%, Guatemala 7%, Italy 6%, Spain 6% (2021)" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "raw sugar, bananas, fishing ships, lobsters and crawfish, beer (2021)" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2021": { "text": "$1.252 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars" }, "Imports 2020": { "text": "$901.819 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars" }, "Imports 2019": { "text": "$1.203 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars" } }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "United States 29%, China 14%, Seychelles 13%, Guatemala 10%, Mexico 9% (2021)" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "recreational boats, refined petroleum, cigarettes, ships, natural gas (2021)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2021": { "text": "$420,102,800 (31 December 2021 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2020": { "text": "$348,090,100 (31 December 2020 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2019": { "text": "$277,578,800 (31 December 2019 est.)" } }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 31 December 2017": { "text": "$1.315 billion (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Debt - external 31 December 2016": { "text": "$1.338 billion (31 December 2016 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { "text": "Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "2 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "2 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "2 (2019 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2018": { "text": "2 (2018 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2017": { "text": "2 (2017 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "97.7% (2021)" }, "electrification - urban areas": { "text": "98.4% (2021)" }, "electrification - rural areas": { "text": "97% (2021)" } }, "Electricity": { "installed generating capacity": { "text": "204,000 kW (2020 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "992.305 million kWh (2019 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "0 kWh (2019 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "240 million kWh (2019 est.)" }, "transmission/distribution losses": { "text": "80.3 million kWh (2019 est.)" } }, "Electricity generation sources": { "fossil fuels": { "text": "63.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "nuclear": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "solar": { "text": "0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "wind": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "hydroelectricity": { "text": "13.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "tide and wave": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "geothermal": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "biomass and waste": { "text": "22.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" } }, "Coal": { "production": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "0 metric tons (2019 est.)" } }, "Petroleum": { "total petroleum production": { "text": "1,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)" }, "refined petroleum consumption": { "text": "3,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)" }, "crude oil and lease condensate exports": { "text": "1,200 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "crude oil and lease condensate imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "crude oil estimated reserves": { "text": "6.7 million barrels (2021 est.)" } }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "36 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - imports": { "text": "4,161 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Natural gas": { "production": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" } }, "Carbon dioxide emissions": { "total emissions": { "text": "541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from coal and metallurgical coke": { "text": "0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from petroleum and other liquids": { "text": "541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from consumed natural gas": { "text": "0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" } }, "Energy consumption per capita": { "Total energy consumption per capita 2019": { "text": "31.552 million Btu/person (2019 est.)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "19,000 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "5 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "260,000 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "66 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "Belize’s fixed-line teledensity and mobile penetration remain lower than average for the region, a legacy of insufficient market competition and under investment in telecoms services; a significant investment in infrastructure, launching an LTE-A service at the end of 2016 and in mid-2017 completing a submarine cable to Ambergris Caye, enabling it to launch an FttP service in San Pedro; the nfrastructure has been updated from the legacy copper to fiber; investments have been made to provide high speed broadband to 80% of residences across Belize. (2021)" }, "domestic": { "text": "roughly 5 per 100 fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of 66 per 100 persons; mobile sector accounting for over 90% of all phone subscriptions (2021)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 501; landing points for the ARCOS and SEUL fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2019)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "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)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".bz" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "248,000 (2021 est.)" }, "percent of population": { "text": "62% (2021 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "36,000 (2020 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "9 (2020 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "2 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "28" }, "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "1,297,533 (2018)" }, "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "3.78 million (2018) mt-km" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "V3" }, "Airports": { "text": "47 (2021)" }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "text": "6", "note": "note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)" }, "Airports - with unpaved runways": { "text": "41", "note": "note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control" }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "3,281 km (2017)" }, "paved": { "text": "601 km (2017)" }, "unpaved": { "text": "2,680 km (2017)" } }, "Waterways": { "text": "825 km (2011) (navigable only by small craft)" }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "817" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 51, general cargo 433, oil tanker 67, other 266 (2022)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Belize City, Big Creek" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard; Belize Police Department (2023)", "note": "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 and prisons; the Police Department is primarily responsible for internal security " }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2022": { "text": "1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2021": { "text": "1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2020": { "text": "1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2019": { "text": "1.4% of GDP (2019 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2018": { "text": "1.4% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "approximately 1,300 BDF personnel; approximately 300 Belize Coast Guard (2022)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a small inventory consisting mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2023)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "18 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 (2022)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "

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

(2023)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Disputes - international": { "text": "

Belize-Guatemala: Demarcated but insecure boundary due to Guatemala’s claims to more than half of Belizean territory.  Line of Adjacency operates in lieu of an international boundary to control influx of Guatemalan squatters onto Belizean territory. Smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation and debt bondage are all problems. Belize lacks resources to detect and extradite impoverished Guatemalan peasants squatting in Belizean rain forests in the remote border areas. At present, Belize and Honduras 12-nm territorial sea claims close off Guatemalan access to Caribbean in the Bahia de Amatique. Maritime boundary remains unresolved pending further negotiation.

Belize-Honduras: Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum.

Belize-Mexico: Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty. Transshipment of illegal narcotics, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and the growing of marijuana in very low population areas are all issues in the region today.

" }, "Illicit drugs": { "text": "

a significant drug trafficking and transit point between countries in South America and the United States; primary domestic use of narcotics is marijuana and some crack cocaine; a major source of precursor or essential chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

" } } }