Belize: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Belize — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
383,071
#172 of 197 countries
Area
22,966 km²
#153 of 248 countries
Density
16.7 / km²
#210 of 245 countries

Belize has a population of 383,071 spread across 22,966 km², giving it an average density of 16.7 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
27.2
Life Expectancy
74.3 yrs
Literacy Rate
87.9%
Government
parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Belize is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 54% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$7,425
Cost of Living
54% of US
Inflation
4.4%
Inequality
39.9
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$13,300
Unemployment
7.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Air Passengers
776,198
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Belize has 1.09 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
1.09/1k
Hospital Beds
1.0/1k
Health Spend
$309/person
Infant Mortality
10.8/1k
Immunization
84%
Safe Drinking Water
94.9%
Basic Sanitation
84.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Belize, 72% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 67 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
72.4%
Mobile Subs
67/100
Broadband
9.8/100
Electricity Access
99.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data