Country Profile: Belize

Belize, located in Central America, is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, with a coastline along the Caribbean Sea. The nation has a diverse population of approximately 421,960 (2025 est.), consisting of various ethnicities, with Mestizos being the largest group. The economy primarily relies on tourism and agriculture, although it faces challenges such as a heavy debt burden and high unemployment rates, particularly among its youth. Belize gained independence from the UK in 1981 and operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

Geography

Belize covers an area of 22,966 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than Massachusetts. The country's geography features a flat, swampy coastal plain with low mountains in the south, and it is characterized by a tropical climate with a rainy season from May to November. It has a total coastline of 386 kilometers and is noted for its rich natural resources, including timber and fish.

542 km: Total land borders with Guatemala and Mexico.
58.3%: Forest cover as of 2023.
8%: Agricultural land use in 2023.
1,124 m: Highest point, Doyle's Delight.
Frequent: Hurricanes between June and November.

People and Society

Belize has an estimated population of 421,960 in 2025, with a median age of 27.2 years. The population is diverse, with 52.9% identifying as Mestizo and a significant percentage speaking English, Spanish, and Creole. The country has a youthful demographic, with 27.7% of the population aged 0-14 years, and urbanization is increasing, with 46.6% living in urban areas as of 2023.

87.9%: Literacy rate as of 2022.
17.44 births/1,000: Birth rate in 2025.
74.3 years: Life expectancy at birth in 2024.
1.09 physicians/1,000: Physician density in 2018.
5.5%: Population aged 65 years and older in 2024.

Economy

Belize's economy is primarily driven by tourism and agriculture, with a notable recovery post-COVID-19. The real GDP is estimated at $5.538 billion in 2024, signaling steady growth. The agricultural sector contributes about 8.1% to the GDP, while services dominate with 62.4%. However, challenges such as high unemployment, particularly among youth, remain pressing.

8.2%: Projected real GDP growth rate for 2024.
$13,300: Real GDP per capita for 2024.
7%: Unemployment rate for 2024.
$1.64 billion: Expected exports for 2024.
$1.724 billion: Expected imports for 2024.

Government

Belize operates as a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth realm, with a constitutional monarchy. The country is divided into six districts and has a legal system based on English common law. The government structure includes an Executive branch headed by a Prime Minister, a bicameral Legislative branch, and an independent judiciary.

18 years: Minimum voting age.
32: Seats in the House of Representatives, with full renewal every 5 years.
13: Members in the Senate, all appointed.
National holiday: Independence Day celebrated on September 21.

Military and Security

The Belize Defense Force is the primary military body, comprising the Army and Coast Guard, responsible for national security. Military expenditures are around 1% of GDP, and the country maintains a volunteer military service with an initial service obligation of 12 years. Belize's military history traces back to its colonial past, with ongoing support from British forces.

1,500: Personnel in the Belize Defense Force as of 2025.
1%: Projected military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for 2024.

Energy

Belize has a high electrification rate of 98.6% as of 2022, with a mix of energy sources. Hydroelectricity constitutes a significant portion of the installed capacity, alongside fossil fuels and renewable sources.

220,000 kW: Installed electricity capacity as of 2023.
595.389 million kWh: Total electricity consumption in 2023.
52.9%: Hydroelectricity share in total installed capacity.

Environment

Environmental challenges in Belize include deforestation and water pollution. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, aiming to mitigate its impact on biodiversity and climate change.

10.4%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled in 2022.
674,000 metric tonnes: CO2 emissions as estimated for 2023.
21.734 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources in 2022.

Transportation

Belize has a developing transportation sector with 27 airports and two ports. The majority of transportation is conducted via land and maritime routes, with a support for local and international trade.

27: Airports as of 2025.
774: Total merchant marine vessels in 2023.

Communications

The communications infrastructure in Belize includes widespread mobile and internet access, with 72% of the population using the internet as of 2023. The country has multiple telecommunication services available.

271,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions in 2022.
39,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions in 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	421,960	Estimated for 2025
Area	22,966 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$5.538 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	595.389 million kWh	Total in 2023
Birth Rate	17.44 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment Rate	7%	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	87.9%	Estimated for 2022
Life Expectancy	74.3 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditure	1% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Rate	98.6%	Total population in 2022