Belize: public finances

What is Belize's budget for 2026/27?

The Government of Belize proposed total spending of $1.902 billion for the fiscal year 2026/27, starting on 1 April 2026, of which $1.296 billion is recurrent and $606.8 million capital, according to the budget presentation by the Prime Minister on 10 March 2026. Revenue and grants are projected at $1.79 billion, 8.5% more than the year before.

Salaries and pensions take $780 million, 60% of recurrent spending. For 2025/26, the speech reported a primary surplus of 1.40% of GDP and an overall deficit of 0.49% of GDP. Amounts are in Belize dollars.

Official sources: Government of Belize: Budget presentation, March 2026

How much public debt does Belize have?

Belize's total public sector debt was $4,653.0 million at the end of July 2026, equal to 65.3% of GDP, down 0.5% since the start of the year, according to the Monthly Economic Highlights for July 2026 of the Central Bank of Belize. External debt was $2,962.7 million (41.6% of GDP) and central government domestic debt $1,690.3 million (23.7% of GDP).

The figures are in Belize dollars. The Central Bank also reports that central government ran a primary surplus of $30.3 million, 0.5% of GDP, from January to June 2026; the primary balance leaves out interest payments.

Official sources: Central Bank of Belize: Monthly Economic Highlights, July 2026 (PDF)

What is Belize's national debt?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in Belize was 66.9% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 61.5% of GDP (2014) to 102.6% of GDP (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 65.6% of GDP, and Belize placed 14th highest of 31. World rank, highest first: 59th of 185.

What is Belize's fiscal deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Belize at -1.0% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 1.3% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -8.6% of GDP. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was -2.8% of GDP, and Belize placed 9th highest of 32. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 51st highest.

How much revenue does Belize's government raise?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 24.9% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 25.6% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 17.7% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 24.9% of GDP; Belize is 17th highest of 32. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 107th highest.

What is Belize's government spending?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 25.9% of GDP. The peak was 33.2% of GDP in 2020 and the low 21.2% of GDP in 2006. It is 18th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 26.7% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 115th of 186.

What is Belize's tax to GDP ratio?

21.3% of GDP: that is central government tax revenue in Belize for 2017, according to the IMF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 3rd highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.8% of GDP. Of 143 countries with 2017 data, 36th highest.

What is Belize's military budget as a share of GDP?

In 2025, military spending in Belize was 1.0% of GDP, according to SIPRI. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 1.4% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 0.8% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 1.0% of GDP; Belize is 10th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 109th of 149.