The Gender Divide In Belize: Population Breakdown

Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America, with a population of around 441,471 people. The country has a fairly even split between males and females, with males making up 49.3% of the population and females 50.7%. The median age in Belize is 26 years, with a total fertility rate of 2.1, which is the average number of children per woman needed to maintain the population without international immigration.

In 2024, there were 209k males and 207k females in Belize

Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America, with a total population of 441,471 people. In 2024, there were 209k males and 207k females in Belize. This equates to a male population of 50.25% and a female population of 49.75%, with a sex ratio of 100.985 males per 100 females.

The population of Belize is expected to increase by 9,522 people in 2024, reaching 439,597 by the beginning of 2025. This growth is due to a positive natural increase, with 7,604 more births than deaths, and a net migration of 1,918 people. Belize has a relatively high birth rate, with 27 live births per day, and a low death rate, with 7 deaths per day. The population is also growing due to net migration, with an average of 5 immigrants settling in Belize each day.

Belize has a young population, with a median age of 26.0 years as of 2023. The country has a total fertility rate of 2.05 children born per woman, which is above the replacement-level fertility rate of 2.1. The population is also ageing, with an increase in life expectancy and a declining birth rate. As a result, the government faces challenges in balancing the demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for seniors with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality.

Belize is a diverse country, with most Belizeans of multiracial descent. Approximately 52.9% of the population is of mixed Indigenous (Maya) and European (Mestizo-Hispanic/Latino) descent, while 24.9% are Kriols, 10.6% are Maya, and 6.1% are Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna). The remaining population includes European, East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American groups. Belize has a high literacy rate, with 82.68% of the adult population able to read and write.

Belize has a male population of 49.3% and a female population of 50.7%

Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America. As of 2024, Belize has a population of 439,597 people, with a male population of 49.3% and a female population of 50.7%. This equates to around 212,877 men and 218,741 women.

The population of Belize is projected to increase by 9,522 people in 2024, with a positive natural increase of 7,604 people, and an increase of 1,918 people due to migration. Belize's population growth rate is 1.64% (2022 est.) and 1.8% (2018 est.).

Belize has a median age of 26.0 years (2023) and a total fertility rate of 2.05 children born per woman (2024 est.). The country has a life expectancy of 74.3 years (2024 est.), with males having a life expectancy of 72.6 years and females 76.1 years.

Belize is a diverse country with a variety of ethnic and religious groups. Mestizo-Hispanic/Latino is the largest ethnic group, making up 51.7% of the population, followed by Creole (25.2%), Maya (9.8%), Garifuna (4%), and East Indian (1.5%). The remaining 7.8% includes a mix of other ethnicities.

English is the only official language of Belize, but the country also has a variety of other languages spoken, including Spanish, Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and Mennonite dialects.

In 2022, there were 136,113 women aged 15-64 in Belize

Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America, with a total population of 441,471 according to the Statistical Institute of Belize. In 2022, there were 136,113 women aged 15-64 in Belize. This age group makes up 59.6% of the population, with 96,886 males and 94,605 females.

Females outnumber males in Belize, with 209,000 males and 207,000 females in the country as of 2024. This equates to 50.25% male and 49.75% female, giving a sex ratio of 100.985 males per 100 females. The median age in Belize is 26 years, with a total fertility rate of 2.1, indicating a growing population.

Belize has a diverse ethnic composition, with Mestizo-Hispanic/Latino making up 51.7% of the population in 2022. Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and East Indian communities account for 25.2%, 9.8%, 4%, and 1.5% of the population, respectively. The remaining 7.8% includes a variety of other ethnicities.

The Belizean population is largely rural, with about one-fourth living in Belize City, the former capital and principal port. The country has a high birth rate and a low death rate, with one birth every 65 minutes and one death every 288 minutes. The population is growing, with an estimated increase of 9,522 people from 2024 to 2025.

Belize's population is projected to increase by 9,522 people in 2025

Belize's population growth rate is currently 2.5% per year, and the country is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. The population is projected to continue growing, with estimates suggesting it will reach about 390,000 by 2020 and nearly 700,000 by 2100. The median age in Belize is 26 years, and the country has a relatively young population, with a high percentage of youth.

As of 2024, the population of Belize is estimated to be between 416,799 and 417,107. The sex ratio is slightly unbalanced, with a higher percentage of females at 50.7% compared to 49.3% males. This imbalance is also reflected in the age distribution, where there are more females than males in almost all age groups.

The demographics of Belize are diverse, with most Belizeans of multiracial descent. The largest ethnic group is Mestizo, comprising 52.9% of the population, followed by Creole at 25.9%, Maya at 10.6%, and Garifuna at 6.1%. The remaining population includes smaller groups such as East Indian, Mennonite, White, Asian, and other ethnicities.

The population of Belize is predominantly rural, with about half of the people living in rural areas and a quarter residing in the former capital, Belize City. The country has a low population density of around 18 people per square kilometer, contributing to its status as the least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize has a dependency ratio of 67.7%

Belize has a total dependency ratio of 67.7%. This means that for every 100 people of working age (15-64 years old), there are 67.7 people who are not of working age (0-14 and 65+ years old).

The dependency ratio is a measure of the number of people who are typically not in the workforce (dependents) compared to the total number of people who are typically in the workforce (the working-age population). It is a useful indicator for understanding the age structure of a population and can provide insights into the potential economic burden on the working population.

In Belize, the dependent population makes up more than half of the working-age population. This suggests that the working population may face a greater burden in supporting the dependent population, including children and the elderly. A higher dependency ratio can also indicate more financial stress on working individuals and potential political instability.

The dependency ratio can be further broken down into the child dependency ratio and the aged dependency ratio. The child dependency ratio refers to the number of people under the age of 15 compared to the working-age population, while the aged dependency ratio focuses on those over the age of 64.

In Belize, the child dependency ratio is 61.8%, and the aged dependency ratio is 5.9%. This indicates that the relatively high overall dependency ratio is driven primarily by a large number of children compared to the working-age population.

It is important to note that the dependency ratio only considers age when determining dependency and does not account for other factors such as employment status, student status, or early retirement. Additionally, the ratio does not take into account that some older adults may still be in the workforce, while some younger adults may not be employed.

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