Belize: health and care

How much does Belize spend on health care?

The Government of Belize expected to spend $146.2 million on the health care system, including National Health Insurance (NHI), in the fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Prime Minister's budget presentation of 10 March 2026. Total government spending for the year was put at $1.68 billion, 24.1% of GDP.

For 2026/27, the speech says $85.5 million of health spending has been moved from the recurrent to the capital budget to follow international government finance classifications, so year-to-year comparisons need care. Amounts are in Belize dollars. The Ministry of Health and Wellness website did not carry health statistics when checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Government of Belize: Budget presentation, March 2026 · Ministry of Health and Wellness

What is life expectancy in Belize?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 73.7 years. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Belize placed 20th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 99th highest.

What is Belize's infant mortality rate?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Belize was 10.8 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 12.1 per 1,000; Belize is 22nd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 108th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Belize?

67.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Belize for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 157 per 100,000; its low point was 2011, at 39.0 per 100,000. Latin America & Caribbean median: 55.0 per 100,000; Belize is 11th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 80th highest.

What share of GDP does Belize spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in Belize at 4.1% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.4% of GDP (2005) to 5.3% of GDP (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.8% of GDP, and Belize placed 29th highest of 33. Worldwide: 150th of 191.

How much do people in Belize pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Belize was 26.8%, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 33.1%; its low point was 2020, at 20.8%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.3%; Belize is 21st highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 191.

How many doctors per person does Belize have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Belize at 1.1 per 1,000 in 2018. It was 0.77 per 1,000 in 2009. Latin America & Caribbean median: 1.7 per 1,000; Belize is 19th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 156.

How many hospital beds per person does Belize have?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Belize at 1.0 per 1,000 in 2023. Since 2008 it has ranged from 0.95 per 1,000 (2016) to 1.1 per 1,000 (2008). It is 19th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1 per 1,000. Worldwide: 61st of 73.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Belize?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Belize at 84.0% in 2024. The peak was 99.0% in 2006 and the low 79.0% in 2021. Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Belize is 21st highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 128th of 191.