Belize Population: How Many?

Belize is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is the least populated country in Central America, with a population of around 410,000-416,000 as of 2022-2024. Belize is ethnically diverse, with most Belizeans being of multiracial descent. The population is spread out across the country, with approximately 25% to 30% living in the former capital, Belize City, and over half of the population living in rural areas.

Population density

Belize is a country in Central America with a population of around 416,000 people as of 2024. It has a total land area of 22,810 square kilometres (or 8,807 square miles), giving it a population density of 18 people per square kilometre (or 45 to 47 people per square mile). This is the lowest population density in Latin America and one of the lowest in the world.

The population density of Belize has been steadily increasing in recent years, rising from 17.42 people per square kilometre in 2021 to 18.14 in 2024. This represents a 1.42% increase from 2023, when the population density was 17.89.

Belize is a diverse country with many different ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. The largest city is Belize City, with a population of 57,000, while the capital, Belmopan, has a population of 16,500. Almost half of the population (47.8%) is urban, and the median age is 26 years.

The demographics of Belize have been influenced by colonisation, slavery, and immigration. The Maya have inhabited the region since the second millennium BC, and there are now three Maya groups in the country: the Mopan, the Yucatec, and the Q'eqchi. Belizean Creoles, or Kriols, account for 21% of the population, while Mestizos make up 50%. Other groups include the Garinagu (4.5%), Asians, East Indians, and expatriate Americans and Africans.

In summary, Belize has a low population density compared to other countries, and this density is increasing gradually over time. The country's population is spread across urban and rural areas, with a diverse range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Ethnic composition

Belize is often referred to as a "melting pot" of cultures, but this is not entirely accurate. While the country is ethnically diverse, Belizeans stand out proudly, displaying their ethnicity and sharing their culture. The ethnic composition of Belize is varied, with Mestizo-Hispanic/Latino people making up the largest group at 51.7% of the population.

The term "Mestizo" refers to people of mixed Spanish and Mayan descent, though not all Mestizos living in Belize today are part of the original Belize culture. Many current citizens of this ethnic group are recent immigrants seeking refuge from civil conflict in neighbouring Central American countries. Mestizo people hold on to elements of both parent cultures, such as food and belief systems. They have adopted mainstream Christianity, likely due to Spanish influence, and practice most, if not all, Catholic Christian traditions.

The second-largest ethnic group in Belize is Creole, making up 25.2% of the population. The term "Creole" originated during the colonisation of Belize when Africans brought as slaves mingled with European logwood cutters. Today, the term is used more broadly to refer to anyone of mixed African descent who is not Garifuna. The Creole population has decreased over time due to emigration, primarily to the US, and the immigration of Central American Latinos. Creole people have been instrumental in creating some of the most iconic aspects of Belizean culture, including the native language, Kriol, which has been recognised as an official language.

The third-largest ethnic group in Belize is Maya, comprising 9.8% of the population. The Maya people of Belize today are descended from one of three denominations: Kekchi, Yucatec, and Mopan Maya. While they share a similar social structure and theology, these groups have different spoken languages. Some Maya people still live in small, self-governed villages, farming for subsistence using a milpa system of crop rotation. Others live integrated lives within Belizean society.

The fourth-largest ethnic group is Garifuna, making up 4% of the population. The Garifuna people are descended from West African, Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak ancestors. During the height of Caribbean colonialism, a ship of slaves ran ashore, leading to the meeting of African people and native islanders. Over time, they resisted British rule and were exiled to Honduras and then Belize. The Garifuna still hold true to their traditional practices, including their spiritual beliefs and their food, which has become popular throughout Belize.

Other ethnic groups in Belize include East Indians (1.5%), Mennonites (3.6%), White/European (1.2%), Asian (1%), and various other groups (7.8%). East Indians were some of the first peoples brought to Belize to supplement the workforce on plantations after slavery was abolished. Today, they are integrated into Belizean society, though they are still identifiable by their physical features. Mennonites, on the other hand, tend to live in secluded communities, retaining their culture and lifestyle while remaining separate from mainstream Belizean practices. The White/European population is mostly made up of British and US expatriates, as Belize never supported a large European settler community during the colonial period.

Language

Belize is a melting pot of cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, with Belizean Creole being the most widely spoken dialect. Belize's population is approximately 410,990 as of 2022, and over half of the population is multilingual.

English

English is the primary language of public education, government, and most media outlets in Belize. It is also the official language of the country, which is a former British colony. However, only a minority of Belizeans speak English as their first language.

Belizean Creole

Belizean Creole, also known as Kriol, is derived mainly from English and is spoken by about 45% of Belizeans. It developed during the time of slavery and was historically spoken by former enslaved Africans. Today, it is an integral part of Belizean identity and is spoken in several contexts, including informal conversations, formal meetings, and social or interethnic dialogue.

Spanish

Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in Belize, and it is the native tongue of about 52.9% of the population. It is widely spoken across the country, especially in the northern districts of Corozal and San Pedro, and in the frontier districts of Cayo, Orange Walk, and Corozal. In addition, an intermediate form of Spanish called "Kitchen Spanish," which is mixed with Belizean Creole, is also commonly spoken.

Mayan Languages

Belize is home to three Mayan languages: Q'eqchi', Mopan, and Yucatec Maya. These languages are spoken by the Maya people, who have inhabited the country since ancient times. The Maya population in Belize includes several groups, such as the Yucatec, Mopan, and Q'eqchi', who primarily reside in the Toledo District.

Garifuna

The Garifuna people, who make up around 4.5% of Belize's population, speak an Arawakan-based language. They are descendants of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestors and settled in Belize in the early 19th century. The Garifuna language has a large number of loanwords from Carib languages and English.

German Dialects

German dialects, including Plautdietsch and Pennsylvania Dutch, are spoken by the Mennonite communities in Belize. The Mennonites make up a significant portion of the country's population, with over 12,000 Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites and a smaller number of Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking Mennonites.

Religion

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities. The population of Belize is around 410,000, and the country is Central America's least densely populated region.

Belize's society is highly diverse, with a variety of religions, cultures, and languages. The dominant religion in Belize is Christianity, with about 74% of the population adhering to one of the Christian religions. The single largest denomination is the Catholic Church, with about 40% of the population, although this has decreased from 49.6% in 2000, 57.7% in 1991, and 61.9% in 1980. Other major Christian denominations include Pentecostals (8.4%), Seventh-day Adventists (5.4%), Anglicans (4.7%), Baptists (3.6%), and Methodists (2.9%).

The Constitution of Belize establishes the freedom of religion, and discrimination on religious grounds is illegal. The public school curriculum for primary schools includes nondenominational "spirituality" classes that introduce world religions, as well as ethics and morals. Most public schools are managed by Christian churches, but a few schools are run by non-Christian religious groups.

A significant proportion of Belize's population, about 15.5%, reported having no religious affiliation in 2010, more than double the number in the 2000 census. A small percentage of the population practices other religions, such as Islam (0.2%), Hinduism (0.2%), Buddhism (0.3%), and Rastafarianism. The Garifuna have their own Afro-Caribbean religion, as do some of the Maya. The Mennonites, although Christian, follow their own church. There are also small pockets of other religions, such as the Baha'i faith, which has a relatively high proportion of adherents in Belize compared to other countries.

Urbanisation

Belize's population is around 410,000-416,000 people, with almost half (46.4%) living in urban areas. Belize City, the country's largest city, is particularly vulnerable to flooding, and the Government of Belize has implemented initiatives to improve drainage and protect the city from the impact of flooding.

In the late 20th century, Belize began to experience a significant increase in urbanisation. The country's urban population grew steadily, with a growth rate of 1.87% per year in 2018, one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. This trend continued in the 2010s, with the urban population increasing by 1.68%-1.85% annually from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, the urban population grew by 1.74% to reach 188,030, while the overall urbanisation rate remained stable at 46.4%.

To address the challenges posed by urbanisation and improve the resilience of its cities, Belize has undertaken several initiatives. One notable example is the Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program (FMIP), implemented from 2011 to 2016 with financing and technical support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The program focused on rehabilitating and improving the drainage and urban road networks in Belize City to reduce the impact of flooding. Construction crews upgraded roadways and sidewalks in flood-prone areas and rehabilitated canals and drainage systems. These improvements were tested during Hurricane Earl in 2016, when the upgraded infrastructure effectively reduced high-water levels and the duration of flooding.

In addition to FMIP, Belize City has also benefited from the Emerging and Sustainable Cities program (ESC) by the IDB. This program promotes a multi-sectoral vision of sustainable urban growth, developing 30-year Action Plans. The ESC study identified three major types of flood hazard exposure in Belize City: pluvial flooding, fluvial flooding, and coastal flooding. To address these challenges, the study recommended short-term, small-scale green interventions, such as establishing urban green areas, environmental recovery of canals, and protecting existing green spaces.

Furthermore, Belize has also been working to improve data collection and mapping of its city canals to enable more precise flood modelling and enhance its ability to adapt to climate change. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to further reduce flood risk and sustain the benefits for Belize's communities. Community engagement and participation are crucial in maintaining the rehabilitated canals and infrastructure, and public consultations have been held to enlist the support of community groups.

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