2017 Edition

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 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 unemployment, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, high crime rates, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.

Area

22,966 sq km 22,806 sq km 160 sq km

land

22,806 sq km

total

22,966 sq km

water

160 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate

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

Coastline

386 km

Elevation

173 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Doyle's Delight 1,124 m

mean elevation

173 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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

Geographic coordinates

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Geography - note

only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land

35 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

542 km Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km

border countries (2)

Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km

total

542 km

Land use

6.9% arable land 3.3%; permanent crops 1.4%; permanent pasture 2.2% 60.6% 32.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

6.9%

forest

60.6%

other

32.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

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

Natural hazards

frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Natural resources

arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

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

Terrain

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Age structure

33.95% (male 62,454/female 59,896) 20.55% (male 37,730/female 36,339) 36.62% (male 66,880/female 65,082) 4.99% (male 8,834/female 9,130) 3.89% (male 6,562/female 7,439) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

33.95% (male 62,454/female 59,896)

15-24 years

20.55% (male 37,730/female 36,339)

25-54 years

36.62% (male 66,880/female 65,082)

55-64 years

4.99% (male 8,834/female 9,130)

65 years and over

3.89% (male 6,562/female 7,439) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

24 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.6% (2015)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

51.4% (2015)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

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.

Dependency ratios

56.8 50.9 5.9 17 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.9

potential support ratio

17 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

56.8

youth dependency ratio

50.9

Drinking water source

urban: 98.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 1.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.1% of population

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2013)

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% percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin (2010 est.)

note

percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.8% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,300 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

18.9 deaths/1,000 live births 21.3 deaths/1,000 live births 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

16.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

21.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.3%, none 0.2% (cannot speak) shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.)

note

shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

68.9 years 67.3 years 70.6 years (2017 est.)

female

70.6 years (2017 est.)

male

67.3 years

total population

68.9 years

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

BELMOPAN (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

28 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

22.7 years 22.5 years 22.9 years (2017 est.)

female

22.9 years (2017 est.)

male

22.5 years

total

22.7 years

Nationality

Belizean(s) Belizean

adjective

Belizean

noun

Belizean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.1% (2016)

Physicians density

0.77 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

360,346 (July 2017 est.)

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

Population growth rate

1.8% (2017 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, Mormon, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 93.5% of population rural: 88.2% of population total: 90.5% of population urban: 6.5% of population rural: 11.8% of population total: 9.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

11.8% of population

total

9.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

6.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2015)

female

13 years (2015)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.85 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

18.9% 12.1% 29.6% (2015 est.)

female

29.6% (2015 est.)

male

12.1%

total

18.9%

Urbanization

43.7% of total population (2017) 1.93% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.93% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

43.7% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Capital

Belmopan 17 15 N, 88 46 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

17 15 N, 88 46 W

name

Belmopan

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981; amended several times, last in 2012 (2016)

Country name

none Belize British Honduras may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Belize

etymology

may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"

former

British Honduras

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Adrienne GALANEK (since 20 January 2017) Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize [011] (501) 822-4011 [011] (501) 822-4012

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Adrienne GALANEK (since 20 January 2017)

embassy

Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District

FAX

[011] (501) 822-4012

mailing address

P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize

telephone

[011] (501) 822-4011

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Francisco Daniel GUTIERREZ (since 21 July 2017) 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-9636 [1] (202) 332-6888 Los Angeles

chancery

2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Francisco Daniel GUTIERREZ (since 21 July 2017)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 332-6888

telephone

[1] (202) 332-9636

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville Norbert YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Patrick FABER (since 7 June 2016) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly 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

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville Norbert YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)

elections/appointments

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

head of government

Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Patrick FABER (since 7 June 2016)

Flag description

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 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

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

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

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

Government type

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

Independence

21 September 1981 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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 2 judges); note - in 2010, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) and acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice 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 Magistrate Courts; Family Court

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 2 judges); note - in 2010, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) and acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice

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; 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

Magistrate Courts; Family Court

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; 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, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2015 (next to be held in November 2020) percent of vote by party - UDP 50%, PUP 47.3%, other 2.7%; seats by party - UDP 19, PUP 12

description

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; 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, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - UDP 50%, PUP 47.3%, other 2.7%; seats by party - UDP 19, PUP 12

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2015 (next to be held in November 2020)

National anthem

"Land of the Free" Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

name

"Land of the Free"

note

adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

National symbol(s)

Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors: red, blue

Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors

red, blue

Political parties and leaders

Belize Progressive Party or BPP [Patrick ROGERS] (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 [Johnny BRICENO] United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver BARROW]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUCB [Floyd NEAL]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber

Budget

$550 million $600 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$600 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$550 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.86% (1 September 2016) 10.01% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.84% (31 December 2016 est.) 10.32% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-163 million (2016 est.) $-174.7 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.338 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.33 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, however GDP growth slowed to 1% in 2015, and 0% in 2016. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered this growth and oil exploration continues, but production has fallen in recent years and future oil revenues remain uncertain and are offset by Belize’s growing imports of refined oil. Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance.

Exchange rates

Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) 2 (2012 est.)

Exports

$442.7 million (2016 est.) $537.9 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil

Exports - partners

Burma 30.7%, US 22.6%, UK 19.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

72.4% 14.9% 22.1% 0.9% 56.6% -66.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

56.6%

government consumption

14.9%

household consumption

72.4%

imports of goods and services

-66.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.1%

investment in inventories

0.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.7% 14.3% 61.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

9.7%

industry

14.3%

services

61.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,200 (2016 est.) $8,500 (2015 est.) $8,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) 4.1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.74 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.097 billion (2016 est.) $3.082 billion (2015 est.) $2.963 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

11.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 12.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 11.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$916.2 million (2016 est.) $961.3 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Imports - partners

US 37.2%, China 11.6%, Mexico 10.8%, Guatemala 7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

0.1% (2016 est.)

Industries

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2016 est.) -0.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

120,500 shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)

note

shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

10.2% 18.1% 71.7% (2007)

agriculture

10.2%

industry

18.1%

services

71.7% (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

41% (2013 est.)

Public debt

91.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 81.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$376.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) $437.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.475 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.437 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.278 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.174 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$735.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) $764.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.1% (2016 est.) 14.1% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

700,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

3,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

2,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

6.7 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

413 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

52.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

28.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

19.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

230 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

191,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

248 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,638 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

33.05 bbl/day (2014 est.)

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 (2009)

Internet country code

.bz

Internet users

157,735 44.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

44.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

157,735

Telephone system

above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay fixed-line teledensity of only about 6 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 65 per 100 persons country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) 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) (2016)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity of only about 6 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 65 per 100 persons

general assessment

above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international

country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

23,000 6 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

23,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

227,000 64 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

64 (July 2016 est.)

total

227,000

Airports

47 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

6

under 914 m

3 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

29 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

41

under 914 m

29 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V3 (2016)

Merchant marine

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 33, cargo 156, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 1 152 (Bulgaria 1, China 61, Croatia 1, Estonia 1, Greece 2, Iceland 1, Italy 3, Latvia 9, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Russia 30, Singapore 4, Switzerland 1, Syria 4, Thailand 1, Turkey 16, UAE 3, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)

by type

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 33, cargo 156, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned

152 (Bulgaria 1, China 61, Croatia 1, Estonia 1, Greece 2, Iceland 1, Italy 3, Latvia 9, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Russia 30, Singapore 4, Switzerland 1, Syria 4, Thailand 1, Turkey 16, UAE 3, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)

total

247

National air transport system

935,603 2,463,420 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2,463,420 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

935,603

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

28

number of registered air carriers

2

Ports and terminals

Belize City, Big Creek

major seaport(s)

Belize City, Big Creek

Roadways

2,870 km 488 km 2,382 km (2011)

paved

488 km

total

2,870 km

unpaved

2,382 km (2011)

Waterways

825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2011)

Military branches

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard; Belize Police Department (2017)

Belize Defense Force (BDF)

Army, BDF Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard; Belize Police Department (2017)

Military expenditures

1.17% of GDP (2016) 1.09% of GDP (2015) 1.06% of GDP (2014) 1.1% of GDP (2013) 0.97% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3

1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012)

Disputes - international

Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to approximately half of Belize, but agrees to the Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty

Illicit drugs

major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes

Trafficking in persons

Belize is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the coerced prostitution of women and children by family members has not led to arrests; child sex tourism, involving primarily US citizens, is on the rise; sex trafficking and forced labor of Belizean and foreign women and LGBT individuals occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service; workers from Central America, Mexico, and Asia may fall victim to forced labor in restaurants, shops, agriculture, and fishing Tier 3 – Belize does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities did not initiate any new trafficking investigations of prosecutions, and cases from previous years remain pending; law enforcement efforts to use informal means to identify and refer victims were ineffective and draft procedures for referring victims to services are still not finalized; trafficking victims were more commonly arrested, detained, or deported based on immigration violations than provided with assistance; the government did not make progress in implementing the 2012-14 anti-trafficking national strategic plan (2015)

current situation

Belize is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the coerced prostitution of women and children by family members has not led to arrests; child sex tourism, involving primarily US citizens, is on the rise; sex trafficking and forced labor of Belizean and foreign women and LGBT individuals occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service; workers from Central America, Mexico, and Asia may fall victim to forced labor in restaurants, shops, agriculture, and fishing

tier rating

Tier 3 – Belize does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities did not initiate any new trafficking investigations of prosecutions, and cases from previous years remain pending; law enforcement efforts to use informal means to identify and refer victims were ineffective and draft procedures for referring victims to services are still not finalized; trafficking victims were more commonly arrested, detained, or deported based on immigration violations than provided with assistance; the government did not make progress in implementing the 2012-14 anti-trafficking national strategic plan (2015)