Belize

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. It formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981.

Geography

Area
total : 22,966 sq km
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km

Climate
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Natural resources
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

People and Society

Population
total: 415,789 (2024 est.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

Population growth rate
1.47% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Belmopan

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)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Katharine BEAMER (since 23 August 2025)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.538 billion (2024 est.)
$5.12 billion (2023 est.)
$5.062 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,300 (2024 est.)
$12,500 (2023 est.)
$12,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$1.64 billion (2024 est.)
$1.536 billion (2023 est.)
$1.369 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 22%, UK 14%, Spain 9%, Guatemala 7%, Portugal 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities
raw sugar, bananas, fish, shellfish, refined petroleum (2023)

Imports
$1.724 billion (2024 est.)
$1.573 billion (2023 est.)
$1.574 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
USA 37%, China 17%, Guatemala 10%, Mexico 8%, Costa Rica 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, orthopedic appliances, ships, garments, tobacco (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.721, ranking it 115th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 24th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.711. (more information)