Belize's Troubling Murder Rate: Understanding The Statistics

Belize's murder rate has been exhibiting a downward trend over the last decade. In 2022, the country's murder rate was 25.6 homicides per 100,000 people, a decrease from 2021's rate of 31.25. In 2023, the murder rate further decreased to 21.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite this downward trend, Belize's murder rate is still above the regional average of 18.3 homicides per 100,000 people.

Belize's murder rate in 2022 was 25.6 per 100,000 people

Belize's murder rate has fluctuated over the years, with 31.25 homicides per 100,000 people in 2021, 25.83 in 2020, and 34.44 in 2019. The highest murder rate in Belize's recent history was in 2011, when the country's former capital, Belize City, had a murder rate of 105.1 per 100,000 people, making it one of the world's deadliest cities at the time.

In 2022, there were 113 murder victims in Belize, nine of whom were women. Firearms were used in 80.5% of these murders, while sharp weapons were used in 30% of female murders. Young people were the primary victims of homicide, with individuals between 18 and 29 years old accounting for two out of five victims.

While the overall murder rate in Belize is decreasing, other major crimes are on the rise. In 2022, there was a 17.2% increase in major crimes compared to 2021, with a total of 1,035 major crimes registered. Rape and unlawful sexual intercourse also increased significantly, with reported instances of rape doubling in 2022.

In 2021, the murder rate was 31.25 per 100,000 people

In 2021, Belize had a murder rate of 31.25 per 100,000 people, a 20.98% increase from 2020. This equates to approximately 102 murders, the lowest number recorded since 2015. The murder rate in Belize has been exhibiting a downward trend over the last decade, excluding the data from 2020, which is exceptional due to the COVID pandemic.

Belize's murder rate in 2021 was significantly higher than the regional average of 18.3 homicides per 100,000 people. In comparison to other countries, Belize had the third-highest national murder rate in the world in 2011, with 105.1 murders per 100,000 people. The majority of homicides in Belize took place in Belize City, where gang violence is rampant, especially on the south side.

Intentional homicides in Belize are typically the result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence, and predatory violence by armed groups. Firearms are the primary weapon used in murders in Belize, with eight out of ten murders committed with a firearm in 2022.

While the overall murder rate in Belize has been declining, the country continues to face challenges with violent crime and gang activity, particularly in specific areas such as Belize City.

In 2023, the murder rate was 21.5 per 100,000 people

In 2023, the murder rate in Belize was 21.5 per 100,000 people. This means that for every 100,000 inhabitants, approximately 21.5 homicides were committed. This figure represents a decrease from the previous year's murder rate of 25 per 100,000 people.

Belize has struggled with a high murder rate for several years. In 2011, the country's former capital, Belize City, had a murder rate of 105.1 per 100,000 people, making it one of the world's deadliest cities. Gang violence, particularly on the south side, has been a significant contributor to the high homicide rate in Belize City.

While the national murder rate has seen a downward trend in recent years, it still remains above the regional average of 18.3 homicides per 100,000 people. In 2022, the murder rate in Belize was 25.6 per 100,000 people, with a total of 113 murder victims recorded. This downward trend continued into 2023, with the rate further decreasing to 21.5.

Young people are the primary victims of homicide in Belize, with two in five victims between the ages of 18 and 29. Firearms are the main weapon used in murders, with eight out of ten murders committed with a firearm in 2022.

The murder rate in Belize is decreasing

In 2023, the murder rate was 21.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease from 25 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous year. This downward trend is a positive development, but Belize's murder rate is still above the regional average of 18.3 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

While the overall murder rate in Belize is decreasing, it is important to note that firearms remain the primary weapon used in these crimes. In 2022, eight out of ten murders were committed with a firearm. Additionally, young people are the primary victims of murder, with two in five victims between the ages of 18 and 29.

The decrease in Belize's murder rate can be attributed to various factors, including efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations to strengthen security policies and address security issues. However, it is crucial to recognize that while the murder rate is declining, other major crimes, such as sexual violence and unlawful sexual intercourse, have increased significantly.

Gang violence is a contributing factor to Belize's murder rate

Belize has a high murder rate, with 21.5 homicides committed per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. Gang violence is a contributing factor to Belize's murder rate. In March 2024, gang violence led to parts of southern Belize City being placed under a state of emergency. The area affected by the state of emergency was approximately the area south of the Creek, west of the East Collet Canal, north of the Caribbean Sea, and west of Lake Independence Boulevard.

Belize's gang violence is particularly prominent in the former capital of Belize City, especially on the south side. In 2011, Belize City had a murder rate of 105.1 per 100,000 people, making it one of the world's deadliest cities. The country's overall murder rate that year was the third-highest in the world.

Gang violence in Belize often involves turf wars and conflicts over control between rival gangs. In 2024, the increase in gang violence in Belize City led to enhanced security operations and disruptions to transit and business. The government also implemented a state of emergency, granting authorities additional powers of arrest, seizure, and detention, and potentially deploying military support.

While the specific gangs involved in the March 2024 violence are not named in the sources, it is clear that gang activity and the associated violence have a significant impact on the murder rate in Belize, particularly in Belize City. The government's response to the gang violence, including the implementation of a state of emergency, highlights the severity of the issue and the need for increased security measures.

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