Filipino Population In Belize: Is It Growing?

Belize is a small country in Central America with a population of around 417,000 people. It is the least populated country in Central America and has a diverse society made up of many different cultures and languages. While the official language is English, over half the population is multilingual.

Belize has a large diaspora, with around 16% of Belizeans living abroad, particularly in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the UK. The population is growing at a rate of 2.5% per year, and by 2100, it is projected to reach 700,000.

The country has a diverse ethnic makeup, with Mestizos making up around half of the population, followed by Creoles (21-25%), Maya (10-11%), Garinagu (4.5-6%), East Indians (2-4%), and smaller groups of Mennonites, whites, Asians, and others.

Belize has a long history of immigration and colonisation, with the Maya being the earliest known inhabitants, dating back to the second millennium BC. The country also has a significant Filipino population, with Filipinos making up a small but notable part of the country's ethnic and cultural diversity.

Belize's population growth

Belize's population has been steadily increasing over the years. The population in 2021 was 400,031, which increased by 1.29% in 2022 to 405,272. In 2023, the population was recorded as 410,825, a 1.37% increase from the previous year. The population of Belize as of 2024 is 416,656, a 1.42% increase from 2023. The population growth rate of Belize is estimated at 1.87% per year (2018 estimate), the second-highest in the Central American region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America, with a population density of 18 people per square kilometre. The country's total land area is 22,810 square kilometres, with a total population of 417,725 as of August 2024. Belize City, the former capital, is home to approximately 25-30% of the population, while over half of the population lives in rural areas. The median age in Belize is 26.4 years, and the country has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages.

The population of Belize is multiracial, with approximately 52.9% of the population being of mixed Indigenous (mostly Maya) and European descent (Mestizo), 24.9-25.9% being Creole, about 10.6% Maya, and about 6.1% Garifuna (Afro-Amerindian). Other ethnic groups include East Indians (3.9%), Mennonites (3.6%), White (1.2%), Asian (1%), and Middle Eastern, North American, and other groups. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language, with Belizean Creole being the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Belize has a birth rate of 17.8 births per 1,000 population and a death rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 population. The total fertility rate in 2023 was 2.010 children per woman. The population growth rate of Belize is influenced by immigration, with immigrants constituting approximately 15% of the population. At the same time, emigration has also impacted the country's demographics, with about 16% of Belizeans living abroad, particularly in the United States.

Belize's ethnic makeup

Belize's population is ethnically diverse, with many different groups, languages, and cultures. The country is the least populated in Central America, with a population of around 410,000-417,000 as of 2024. Belize is also the least densely populated country in Central America, with a density of 18 people per square kilometre.

Belize's population is made up of a variety of ethnic groups. Mestizos, people of mixed Spanish and Mayan descent, are the largest group, making up around 50% of the population. Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, descendants of West and Central Africans, British, and Scottish log cutters, make up around 21-25% of the population. Three Maya groups, the Yucatec, the Mopan, and the Q'eqchi', together make up around 10-11% of the population. The Garinagu, a mix of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib, account for around 4.5% of the population. Smaller groups include East Indians (around 2-4%), Mennonites (around 3-3.9%), White or Caucasian people (around 1-1.2%), and small numbers of Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American people.

Belize has seen significant emigration, particularly of Creoles, to other countries, including the US, the UK, and other developed nations. It is estimated that around 160,000 Belizeans live in the US. At the same time, Belize has seen an influx of immigrants, particularly from Central America. Around 15% of Belize's population are immigrants, mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. This shift in demographics has changed the ethnic makeup of the country, with Mestizos now the largest group, and Spanish becoming the most commonly spoken language, despite English being the official language.

Belize's language and literacy

Belize is a diverse society with a wide variety of languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, and it is the primary language of public education, government, and most media outlets. Belizean Creole, or Kriol, is the most widely spoken dialect, with approximately one-third of the population speaking it as their first language. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Belize has a high rate of multilingualism, with over half of the population speaking more than one language. This is due in part to the country's diverse linguistic backgrounds, as well as its proximity to Spanish-speaking nations.

The literacy rate in Belize is estimated to be around 80%, with some sources citing a rate of 82.68% for those aged 15 or older in 2021.

Belize's educational policy aims to improve access, quality, and governance of the education system by providing technical and vocational education and training. Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 years.

Belize's religious groups

Belize is a religiously diverse country, with a constitution that provides for freedom of religion, freedom to change one's religion, and freedom of worship. Here is an overview of the major religious groups in Belize:

Christianity

Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize, with various denominations making up a significant portion of the population.

Roman Catholics

Roman Catholicism is the single largest denomination in Belize, accounting for about 40.1% of the population. While this number has decreased from previous decades, the absolute number of adherents has risen. Belizean Catholic churches belong to the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan.

Protestants

Protestants make up a significant portion of the population, including Pentecostals (8%), Seventh-day Adventists (5.4%), Anglicans (4.7%), Mennonites (3.7%), Baptists (3.6%), Methodists (2.9%), the Church of the Nazarene (2.8-3%), and the Salvation Army (2-3%).

Other Christian Groups

Other Christian groups in Belize include Jehovah's Witnesses (1.7%), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Orthodox Christians, such as the Greek Orthodox Church with a presence in Santa Elena.

Indigenous Religions

Indigenous religious groups in Belize include the Maya and Garifuna, who practice their own traditional beliefs and rituals, often incorporating elements of shamanism and Christianity.

Other Religious Groups

Belize is also home to several other religious minorities, including:

• Hindus, who make up a small percentage of the population and are mostly Indian immigrants.
• Muslims, who have been present in Belize since the 18th century and gained a following among Middle Eastern immigrants and some Kriols.
• Baháʼís, who, according to some estimates, constitute the second-largest religious group in the country in terms of percentage.
• Buddhists, who are a small community in Belize.
• Rastafarians, who have faced some challenges regarding religious freedom and discrimination.
• Jews, who are a small community in Belize.

Belize's migration trends

Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America, with a population of around 417,000 people. Migration has played a significant role in shaping Belize's population trends. The country has a diverse ethnic composition, with Mestizos being the largest ethnic group, followed by Creoles, Maya, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, White, Asian, and other groups. Belize has a high emigration rate, with about 16% of Belizeans living abroad, particularly in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking Caribbean countries. This has led to a shift in the country's ethnic composition, with the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Belize's population is growing at a rate of 2.5% per year, with a birth rate of 17.8 births per 1,000 people and a death rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 people. The country has a relatively young population, with a median age of 26.4 years. The population is predominantly rural, with about 50% living in rural areas and 48.2% in urban areas. Belize City, the former capital, is the largest city and the principal port, commercial centre, and cultural hub. The current capital, Belmopan, is located about 50 miles west of Belize City.

Belize's population is expected to continue growing, with projections reaching nearly 700,000 by 2100. The country's population growth rate is steadily falling due to a declining birth rate and increasing life expectancy. Immigration is contributing to an increasing share of the population growth, with Central American immigrants establishing new communities in rural areas. Belize's changing demographics pose challenges and opportunities for the government in areas such as social services, healthcare, and economic development.

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