Quick facts
Belize population overview
Belize is the 16th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 425,900 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 16 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 7,709 births (18.1 per 1,000 people) and 2,130 deaths (5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 383 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 91,318 in 1960 to 422,924 in 2025 — a change of +363.1%, or +2.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 25.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.7 years; women have on average 2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 26.3% of residents are under 15 and 5.2% are 65 or older (2025); 41.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Belmopan. Belize covers 22,966 km², giving a population density of about 18.8 people per km². GDP was $3.33B in 2025 — about $7,865 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Belize population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 430,655 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 425,900 |
| World rank | #177 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #16 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.005% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.4% |
| Births per year est. | 7,709 |
| Deaths per year est. | 2,130 |
| Net migration per year est. | +383 |
| Birth rate | 18.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 25.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 41.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 22,966 km² |
| Population density | 18.8 per km² |
| Capital | Belmopan |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.33B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $7,865 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Belize population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 430,655 | – | – |
| 2025 | 422,924 | +5,852 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 417,072 | +5,966 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 411,106 | +8,373 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 402,733 | +7,387 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 395,346 | +4,534 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 390,812 | +34,479 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 356,333 | +36,088 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 320,245 | +40,514 | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 279,731 | +38,932 | +3% |
| 2000 | 240,799 | +36,653 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 204,146 | +21,070 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 183,076 | +19,280 | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 163,796 | +18,734 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 145,062 | +14,675 | +2.2% |
| 1975 | 130,387 | +9,651 | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 120,736 | +16,061 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 104,675 | +13,357 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 91,318 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Belize
Population over time
- From 91,318 in 1960 to 430,655 today — up 371.6%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.7 years (2024), up 16.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 18.1 births vs 5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 13.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 26.3% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.39 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.4 Mt in 2019 — down 2.3% since.
- Per person: 0.93 t in 2024, vs 0.5 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 601.1 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 3.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 30.8% of final energy in 2022 (-7.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 54.5% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 70.1% to 54.5% since 1990 — roughly 3,589 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 41.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 53.9% in 1960 (-12.3 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.7% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 37,891 m³ in 2022, down 76.2% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $3.33B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 51.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $7,865 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 8.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 80% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 67.2 per 100 people (2022).
Belize in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Belize in 2026?
As of October 2026, Belize has an estimated population of 430,655. The United Nations estimated 425,900 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Belize growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.4% per year — roughly 16 more people every day. Each year there are about 7,709 births and 2,130 deaths, with net migration of +383.
What is the population density of Belize?
About 18.8 people per square kilometre: 430,655 people living on 22,966 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Belize?
The median age is 25.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.7 years. 26.3% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Belize rank by population?
Belize is the 177th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 16th in North America, with 0.005% of the global population.
How has the population of Belize changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 91,318; by 2025 it had grown to 422,924 (+363.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BruneiSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.