Belize Population Growth Slows as Birth Rates Fall

Belize’s population continues to grow, largely because far more babies are being born than people are dying. That growth, however, is beginning to slow as families have fewer children.

Data published by Our World in Data estimates that 7,410 babies were born in Belize in 2023, compared to 2,022 deaths. That is almost four births for every death, resulting in a natural population increase of approximately 5,388 people. Migration added slightly to that figure. An estimated 595 more people entered Belize than left during 2023. Altogether, the population grew by about 1.5 percent. Without migration, the increase would have been closer to 1.3 percent.  Belize’s population was estimated at 411,100 in 2023. Worldometer, using United Nations data, now puts the 2026 figure at approximately 428,644, about 5,720 more people than last year.  Even with that growth, Belize remains one of the world’s least-populated countries, ranking 176th globally.  The country’s population is also relatively young. The median age is 27.3, meaning half of Belize’s residents are younger than 27. Life expectancy, meanwhile, has increased to around 74 years.  One of the biggest changes can be seen in the fertility rate.  In 1960, women in Belize had an average of 6.5 children. That figure fell to 3.63 by 2000 and reached 2.01 in 2023. It is expected to drop slightly below two children per woman in 2026.  That is slightly below the level generally needed for one generation to replace itself without migration. But because Belize still has a young population, births are expected to continue outnumbering deaths for some time.  The United Nations estimates that Belize’s population could approach 450,000 by 2030 and reach approximately 516,600 by 2050. Growth is expected to continue, but more slowly as people have fewer children and the population gradually gets older.  The figures are estimates based on United Nations population data. They may differ from official birth and death registrations or census figures produced in Belize./