Belize: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Belize?

19.1% of Belize's population was multidimensionally poor in September 2025, down from 22.1% in September 2024, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). That meant about 13,095 fewer people and 2,809 fewer households in poverty. The intensity of poverty, the average share of deprivations poor people face, barely changed at 37.8%.

The multidimensional poverty index counts deprivations in areas such as education, health, housing, internet access and work, rather than income alone. SIB says gains came from internet connectivity, household well-being and youth engagement in education or work. SIB is running a household budget survey in 2025/2026.

Official sources: SIB: Poverty and unemployment release, December 2025 · SIB: Multidimensional Poverty Index, September 2025 (PDF)

How much does electricity cost in Belize?

The mean electricity rate in Belize was $0.402 per kilowatt-hour in 2023, according to the Belize Energy Report 2023 from the government's energy unit. The report says electricity prices have remained mostly stable, but that Belize has higher electricity costs than most Central American countries (2022 comparison).

The report lists the Belize Electricity Limited tariff for each customer group. Rates are in Belize dollars. Energy prices for fuels were also the highest in the region across all fuel types, according to the same report.

Official sources: Belize Energy Report 2023 (PDF)

What is Belize's inflation rate?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Belize was 1.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -7.1% (2006) to 6.4% (2008). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1%, and Belize placed 21st highest of 29. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 130th highest.

What is household spending per person in Belize?

$4,119: that is household consumption per person in Belize for 2024, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: $4,454; Belize is 13th highest of 20. Worldwide: 76th of 153.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Belize?

In 2018, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Belize was 1.0%, according to the World Bank. It is 14th highest of 17 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 3.7%. Of 92 countries with 2018 data, 45th highest.

What share of Belize lives below the poverty line?

52.0%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in Belize for 2018, according to the World Bank. In 2009 the figure was 41.3%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 26.6%; Belize is 1st highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 67.

How unequal are incomes in Belize?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Belize at 39.9 in 2018. Latin America & Caribbean median: 43.8; Belize is 14th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 92.

How many people in Belize go hungry?

12.8%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in Belize for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2019 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 28.0%, and Belize placed 20th highest of 21. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 85th highest.