Belize: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Belize?

Belize's unemployment rate was 1.9% in April 2026, down from 2.1% in April 2025, according to preliminary Labour Force Survey results from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). 3,162 people were unemployed out of a labour force of 170,056.

SIB says the fall was largely due to lower labour force participation, especially among women: the labour force shrank by 13,313 people and employment by 12,611. The survey is run twice a year, in April and September. A low rate can therefore reflect people leaving the labour market as well as finding work.

Official sources: SIB: Labour force, April 2026 release · SIB: Labour Force Survey, April 2026 (PDF)

What is the average salary in Belize?

The average monthly income of employed people in Belize was $1,525 in April 2026, $27 more than in April 2025, according to the Labour Force Survey of the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Professionals earned the most, $2,140 a month on average, followed by managers at $2,084.

People in informal employment, 34.1% of workers, earned $1,297 a month on average. Employed people worked 42.5 hours a week on average. Figures are in Belize dollars, so $1,525 equals US$762.50 at the fixed exchange rate.

Official sources: SIB: Labour Force Survey, April 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Belize?

The minimum wage in Belize is $5.00 an hour for all categories of workers, effective from 1 January 2023, according to a notice from the Government of Belize Press Office published in December 2022. It was set by Statutory Instruments No. 169 and No. 170 of 2022, and the notice said the previous increase had been in 2012.

The rate is in Belize dollars, equal to US$2.50 an hour at the fixed exchange rate. No later change was found on the Press Office website when checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Government of Belize Press Office: Minimum wage increases

What is the minimum wage in Belize?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Belize was 1,039 BZD a month (about $520), according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Belize earn on average?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Belize at $510 a month in 2020. That is the lowest since at least 2014. It is 6th highest of 15 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $477 a month. Worldwide: 53rd of 93.

What is Belize's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Belize was 8.9% in 2025. The peak was 10.9% in 2005 and the low 6.6% in 2017. It is 7th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.0%. Worldwide: 40th of 174.

How many young people in Belize are unemployed?

19.3%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Belize for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.7% (2017) to 22.4% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Belize placed 10th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 48th highest.

How many people in Belize are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 59.1%. The peak was 69.7% in 2019 and the low 54.7% in 2020. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; Belize is 22nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 108th of 174.

How many women in Belize are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Belize was 46.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 57.1%; its low point was 2020, at 41.5%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and Belize placed 23rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 126th of 174.

How many people in Belize are employed?

53.9%: that is the employment to population ratio in Belize for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 48.8% (2020) to 63.4% (2019). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and Belize placed 23rd highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 119th highest.

How many workers in Belize are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 29.8%. The peak was 30.7% in 2020 and the low 23.9% in 2014. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.8%; Belize is 15th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 89th highest.

What share of jobs in Belize are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 64.8%. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 69.3%; its low point was 2020, at 64.0%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Belize placed 15th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 88th of 174.