Belize: housing

How many people own their home in Belize?

59.9% of households in Belize lived in homes they owned without a mortgage and 7.9% in homes owned with a mortgage or hire purchase at the 2022 census, according to the Census Key Findings Report of the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). 20.0% rented and 9.1% lived rent-free.

The census counted 110,719 households. Renting was most common in Belize District (29.7% of households in the table) and least common in Toledo (9.9%), where 76.6% owned without a mortgage. SIB links the difference to jobs and services drawing people to Belize District.

Official sources: SIB: 2022 Census Key Findings Report (PDF)

How many people in Belize live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 41.6%. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 28th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 66.2%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 147th highest.

How common are informal settlements in Belize?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Belize was 15.7%, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.7%, and Belize placed 11th highest of 26. World rank, highest first: 86th of 170.

What is the electricity access rate in Belize?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Belize was 99.6%, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 16th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 99.5%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 108th highest.

What share of homes in Belize cook with clean fuels?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Belize was 89.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 95.0%, and Belize placed 26th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 109th highest.