2024 Edition Primary

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.

Area

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

highest point

Doyle's Delight 1,124 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation

173 m

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

border countries

Guatemala 266 km; Mexico 276 km

total

542 km

Land use

agricultural land

6.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)

forest

60.6% (2018 est.)

other

32.5% (2018 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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

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)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

1.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

5.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

17.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Child marriage

men married by age 18

22.2% (2016 est.)

women married by age 15

6.3%

women married by age 18

33.5%

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.6% (2015/16)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

51.4% (2015/16)

Current health expenditure

6.9% of GDP (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

64.3% (2023 est.)

Death rate

5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 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

elderly dependency ratio

7.4

potential support ratio

13.5 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

49.7

youth dependency ratio

42.3

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 99.4% of population

improved: total

total: 99.7% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0.6% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

8.7% of GDP (2021 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.)

note

note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin

Gross reproduction rate

1 (2024 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

female

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male

12.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Languages

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

note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.1 years

male

72.6 years

total population

74.3 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

NA

male

NA

total population

NA

Major urban areas - population

23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

130 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

female

27.2 years

male

26.4 years

total

26.8 years (2024 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Belizean

noun

Belizean(s)

Net migration rate

2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.1% (2016)

Physician density

1.08 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population

female

209,894 (2024 est.)

male

205,895

total

415,789

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

1.47% (2024 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.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 95.7% of population

improved: total

total: 97.3% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99.1% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 4.3% of population

unimproved: total

total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2021)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

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

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

1.8% (2020 est.)

male

15.1% (2020 est.)

total

8.5% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.05 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

46.6% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

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

geographic coordinates

17 15 N, 88 46 W

name

Belmopan

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent only

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendments

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

history

previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981; note - in July 2022, the government introduced a bill to establish the People's Constitutional Commission to review the constitution and to provide recommendations to the National Assembly

Country name

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Michelle KWAN (since 5 December 2022)

email address and website

ACSBelize@state.govhttps://bz.usembassy.gov/

embassy

4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo

FAX

(501) 822-4012

mailing address

3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC  20521-3050

telephone

(501) 822-4011

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826

chief of mission

Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

email address and website

reception.usa@mfa.gov.bzhttps://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/

FAX

[1] (202) 332-6888

telephone

[1] (202) 332-9636

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021)

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 John BRICEÑO (since 12 November 2020)

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

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

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, 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

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); 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

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

Magistrates' Courts; Family Court

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

description

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; 1 seat is held by the Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year termsHouse of Representatives (32 seats; 31 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the speaker, who may be designated from outside the government; members serve 5-year terms and the speaker serves at the pleasure of the government up to the full 5-year term)

election results

Senate - all members appointed; composition - men 8, women 6, percentage women 42.9%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 - men 27, women 5, percentage women 15.6%; total percentage women in the National Assembly 23.9%

elections

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)

note

 

National anthem

lyrics/music

Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

name

Land of the Free

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

selected World Heritage Site locales

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

total World Heritage Sites

1 (natural)

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

Political parties

Belize People’s Front or BPFBelize 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 PUPUnited Democratic Party or UDPVision Inspired by the People or VIP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

sugarcane, maize, bananas, oranges, soybeans, sorghum, chicken, rice, beans, milk (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

expenditures

$506.316 million (2017 est.)

note

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

revenues

$554.405 million (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Moody's rating

Caa3 (2020)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

CCC+ (2020)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021

-$157.868 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$235.566 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$90.63 million (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2022

$1.176 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Exchange rates

Currency

Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

2 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

2 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

2 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

2 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

2 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021

$1.043 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$1.369 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$1.462 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

raw sugar, bananas, shellfish, bran, refined petroleum (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

US 22%, UK 16%, Guatemala 10%, Spain 7%, Honduras 5% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

53.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption

16.1% (2023 est.)

household consumption

56.8% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-52.9% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.5% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

0.7% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

9% (2023 est.)

industry

13.2% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

63% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.282 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports

Imports 2021

$1.249 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$1.574 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$1.571 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, tobacco, garments, plastic products (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

US 33%, China 23%, Guatemala 9%, Mexico 8%, Canada 3% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-4.52% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

3.24% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

6.28% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

4.39% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

190,000 (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Public debt

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2017

99% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$4.624 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$5.028 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$5.257 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

17.86% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

8.73% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

4.54% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$11,600 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$12,400 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$12,800 (2023 est.)

Remittances

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

5.58% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

5.03% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

4.63% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$420.103 million (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$482.146 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$473.729 million (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.34% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

10.16% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

8.72% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

8.26% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

26.2% (2023 est.)

male

12.1% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

17.4% (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from petroleum and other liquids

690,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

690,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal

imports

(2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton

Electricity

consumption

443.175 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports

283.8 million kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

217,000 kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

143.637 million kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

97.1%

electrification - total population

98.6% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

98.4%

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

51.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

fossil fuels

18.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

26.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

3.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

30.71 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

6.7 million barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

800 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

9 (2020 est.)

total

36,000 (2020 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 (2019)

Internet country code

.bz

Internet users

percent of population

62% (2021 est.)

total

248,000 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

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)

general assessment

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)

international

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

5 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

19,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

66 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

264,000 (2021 est.)

Airports

27 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V3

Heliports

5 (2024)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 49, general cargo 410, oil tanker 64, other 251

total

774 (2023)

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

3.78 million (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,297,533 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

28

number of registered air carriers

2 (2020)

Ports

key ports

Belize City, Big Creek

ports with oil terminals

1

size unknown

1

small

1

total ports

2 (2024)

Roadways

paved

601 km

total

3,281 km

unpaved

2,680 km (2017)

Waterways

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

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 Guatemalathe 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 (2024)

Military and security forces

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard; Belize Police Department (2024)

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 and security service personnel strengths

approximately 1,500 BDF personnel (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military has a small inventory consisting mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2024)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2019

1.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

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 (2024)

Illicit drugs

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

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

0.57 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

0.55 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

10.51 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Climate

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

Environment - current issues

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

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

Land use

agricultural land

6.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)

forest

60.6% (2018 est.)

other

32.5% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

21.73 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

70 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

46.6% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

101,379 tons (2015 est.)