Belize's Population: A Comprehensive Overview

Belize is a country in Central America, with a population of around 416,000 to 417,000 people as of 2024. It is the least populated country in Central America and has one of the lowest population densities in the world. Belize is a melting pot of cultures, with most Belizeans being of multiracial descent. The population is made up of a mix of Mestizos, Creoles, Maya, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, White/Caucasians, Asians, and others. The country has a median age of 26 years and a population growth rate of around 2.5% per year.

Population density

Belize has a population density of 18 per square kilometre or 47 people per square mile. To put this in context, this is the lowest density in Latin America and one of the lowest in the world.

Belize has a total land area of 22,810 square kilometres (8,807 square miles). The current population of Belize is 416,656–417,107, depending on the source. This is based on projections of the latest United Nations data and is a 1.42% increase from 2023. Belize is currently growing at a rate of 2.5% per year. By 2020, the population of Belize is expected to reach about 390,000, and by 2100, the population is projected to be nearly 700,000.

Belize's population is equivalent to 0.01% of the total world population, and the country ranks 177th in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The median age in Belize is 26 years. 47.8% of the population is urban (196,317 people in 2023).

The largest city in Belize is Belize City, with a population of 57,000. The capital, Belmopan, has a population of 16,500.

Ethnic makeup

Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America, with a population of around 416,000-417,000. The country's population is ethnically diverse, with most Belizeans being of multiracial descent.

The Mestizo population, which is made up of people of mixed Spanish and Yucatec Maya descent, constitutes about 52.9% of Belize's population. They are the largest ethnic group in the country and were the first to bring Catholicism and the Spanish language to Belize. The Mestizo population is concentrated in the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk, and their culture is unique and distinct from that of Latin American immigrants.

Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, make up about 24.9%-25.9% of the population and have had a significant impact on the country's history and politics. They are primarily the mixed-race descendants of West and Central Africans, British and Scottish log cutters, and Baymen slave owners. They are also found throughout Belize, especially in urban areas such as Belize City and coastal towns and villages.

The Maya, who have inhabited the region since the second millennium BC, make up about 10.6%-11.3% of the population. There are now three Maya groups in Belize: the Mopan, who are indigenous to the area; the Yucatec, who came from Mexico to escape the Caste War; and the Q'eqchi, who fled from slavery in Guatemala. The Maya speak their native languages, Spanish, and often English and Belizean Creole fluently.

The Garifuna, who are of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry, make up about 6.1% of the population. They are found in settlements along the Caribbean coast of Belize, such as Seine Bight, Punta Gorda, and Punta Negra.

Other ethnic groups in Belize include East Indians (3.9%), Mennonites (3.6%), White/Caucasians (1.2%), Asians (1%), and other groups (1.2%), including Middle Easterners and North Americans.

Population by urban/rural area

Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. The population density is 18 per square kilometre (47 people per square mile), the lowest density in Latin America, and one of the lowest in the world. The current population of Belize is estimated to be between 410,825 and 441,471, with a yearly growth rate of 2.5%.

Belize is a diverse country, with most Belizeans of multiracial descent. Mestizos, who are of mixed Indigenous (mostly Maya) and European descent, make up the largest ethnic group, accounting for 50% to 52.9% of the population. Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, make up 21% to 25.9% of the population and almost 75% of the diaspora. The remaining population includes the Maya (6.1% to 11.3%), Garifuna (4.5% to 6.1%), and smaller communities of Europeans, East Indians, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North Americans.

In terms of urban and rural populations, approximately 47.8% of Belize's population lives in urban areas, while slightly more than half live in rural areas. Belize's largest city is Belize City, with a population of about 57,000 to 67,169, depending on the source. About one-fourth of the country's population resides in Belize City, which serves as the principal port, commercial centre, and former capital. The capital, Belmopan, has a smaller population of 16,500 to 19,931. Other notable towns include San Ignacio (27,878), Orange Walk Town (16,709), Corozal Town (13,400), and San Pedro (11,765).

Population by religion

The population of Belize is around 417,000 as of 2024. The country has a rich religious diversity, with Christianity as the dominant religion. Here is a detailed breakdown of the population by religion:

Roman Catholics

Roman Catholicism is the single largest denomination in Belize, with around 40.1% of the population identifying as Catholics. While this number has decreased from previous decades (61.9% in 1980, 57.7% in 1991, and 49.6% in 2000), the absolute numbers have risen. The Belizean Catholic churches are under the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan. Catholics often visit the country for special gospel revivals.

Protestants

Protestant Christians make up a significant portion of the population, accounting for 31.5% of the total. This includes various denominations such as Pentecostals (8.4%), Seventh-day Adventists (5.4%), Anglicans (4.7%), Mennonites (3.7%), Baptists (3.6%), Methodists (2.9%), and Nazarenes (2.8%).

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are a distinct group within Christianity, and they constitute 1.7% of Belize's population. They structure their faith on the Christian Bible but differ from mainstream Christianity in their rejection of the Trinity.

Other Religious Groups

Belize is home to a diverse range of other religious minorities. These include Baháʼís, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Rastafarians, Mormons, and followers of indigenous religions such as the Maya religion and Afro-Caribbean religions (Garifuna, Obeah, and Myalism). Additionally, there are those who identify as atheists or agnostics, and a small percentage of the population practice Judaism or spiritualism. Around 15.5% of the population reported having no religious affiliation in 2010, a significant increase from previous years.

Population growth rate

Belize's population is growing. The current population of Belize is estimated to be between 416,656 and 417,107, with a growth rate of 1.4% in 2023 and 2.5% in 2024. This is an increase from 2022, when the growth rate was 1.3%. The population of Belize in 2023 was 410,825, a 1.37% increase from 2022. In 2022, the population was 405,272, a 1.31% increase from 2021. The population in 2021 was 400,031, a 1.29% increase from 2020. By 2020, the population is expected to reach about 390,000, and by 2100, the population is projected to be nearly 700,000.

Belize's population growth rate has fluctuated over time, but it has generally been increasing in recent years. The country's population growth is influenced by various factors, including birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration. According to one source, Belize has a birth rate of one birth every 72 minutes and a death rate of one death every 240 minutes. The same source states that Belize has a net increase of one person every 90 minutes, taking into account births, deaths, and immigration.

The population growth rate of Belize is relatively low compared to other countries. In 2024, Belize ranked 177th in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The country's population density is also low, with 18 people per square km or 45.4 people per square mile. This is the lowest density in Latin America and one of the lowest in the world.

The demographics of Belize are diverse, with many ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. The Maya have inhabited the region since the second millennium BC, and there are now three Maya groups in Belize: the Mopan, the Yucatec, and the Q'eqchi. Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, account for 21% of the population, while Mestizos, originally a mix of Maya and Spanish, make up 50% of the country's population. The Garinagu, who are a mix of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib, represent 4.5% of the population. Additionally, there are large communities of Asians, East Indians, and expatriate Americans and Africans residing in Belize.

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