Belize  

In 2007 Belize’s unemployment rate was 12% and the inflation rate was at 2%. Belize is among the top 20 nations in its ability to attract foreign direct investment, which amounts to 9% of GDP. Export revenues as a proportion of imported goods are similarly high. However, relatively little foreign revenue comes from high value goods or services: Belize ranks 90th among nations for its level of dependence upon raw material exports. Household expenditure among Belizeans is 20% of GDP, which is an extremely low figure by global standards, and suggests an underdeveloped domestic market. The domestic savings rate is 17%, which is 68th on this variable. The borrowing and lending margins in the banking sector are over nine percentage points, which suggests very low levels of banking competition and efficiency.

Belize has a relatively well-developed service sector which adds value equivalent to 65% of GDP, ranking the country 30th on this variable. Barriers to entry for new businesses are at average levels with nine procedures required to start a new company. Belize has potential to develop a favourable climate for technological innovation. It ranks in the top half of the Index with 14 personal computers per 100 capita, while the number of secure internet servers is the 17th highest in the world. In addition, Belize ranks 35th position globally for its levels of high-tech exports, which constitute 10% of GDP. Despite good internet security, bandwidth is very low, placing Belize amongst the bottom 20 with respect to this variable. Levels of ICT and high-tech exports, as well as R&D spending, which is only 0.2% of GDP, are very low, which suggests little commercialisation of innovation.

Belizeans have full political rights, and a very high level of civil rights, including freedom of speech, belief, and association. Although there is open political competition among rival parties at both the legislative and executive branches of government, the legislative body is dominated by one political party. There are also few ‘veto points’ in the Belizean system to prevent arbitrary actions by its leaders. Data for regime stability, judicial independence, and electoral regulation were not available.

Belize performs strongly at both primary and secondary education as 97% of eligible children are enrolled in primary school, which is the 25th highest rate in the world. The ratio of primary school teachers to pupils is at one to 23, which is above the regional average, and equal numbers of girls and boys participate in school, which suggests very high levels of gender equity. Secondary school enrolment rates are 79%, in line with the global average, but tertiary enrolment rates are low at 3%, placing Belize down at 99th in the rankings. The average worker has 5.9 years of secondary education, ranking the country at 9th, but just 2.3 years of tertiary education, pulling Belize down to 95th on this variable. This suggests underinvestment in the university sector, which is in line with Belize’s low educational expenditure, at less than $1,200 yearly per pupil. Data on royalty receipts and the number of new businesses registered were not available.

Belize has a limited public health infrastructure. There are only 11 doctors and nurses per 10,000 people, and the level of availability of hospital beds is 72nd in the world. Although 69% of Belizeans are satisfied with their water quality, less than half have access to adequate sanitation facilities, ranking Belize 86th on this variable.* However, only 4% of the population is malnourished, and infant mortality rates are relatively low for the region. Health-adjusted life expectancy is 60 years, which is in line with several other Central American nations. Belize also ranks notably well on the subjective variable of health, with 87% of Belizeans considering themselves to be in good health, and only 18% reporting health problems, placing Belize in the top 20 nations for both indicators.* A relatively low 23% of people reported having been in pain on the previous day, while 69% felt well rested, which places Belize 52nd on this variable.*

Belize faces serious security challenges related to the presence of refugees and other internally displaced groups, as well as groups with a history of discrimination or other grievances. There are also challenges posed by economic migration and flight from dangerous or degrading conditions. On measures of government violence or repression, Belize ranks 31st globally, which is a strong performance for the region. Homicide rates are high by global standards, and Belizeans report high levels of crime, with 19% of people stating they had been victims of theft in 2007, and 14% having been assaulted, figures which are 79th and 97th on this variable, respectively.* Only 45% of people feel safe walking the streets at night, one of the worst percentages, internationally.* Data for deaths caused by civil war or other ethnic conflicts are not available.

Although Belizeans are free to choose the laws and officials who govern them, confidence in national institutions is relatively low. Over 80% of people think that their government is corrupt, and only 29% are confident that elections are fair, placing Belize 87th among nations for this latter variable.* The proportions expressing confidence in the military and the judiciary are similarly low, at 46% and 34%, respectively.* Over seven in 10 people also think that local businesses are corrupt, which is relatively high by global standards.* Belize ranks in 49th place on this variable in its success at enforcing the rule of law, but it falls to 63rd place for the effectiveness of its bureaucracy, and 71st for the quality of regulation of investment and commercial competition.

Belizeans have high levels of freedom of movement, religion, and speech. Over seven in 10 people are satisfied with their freedom to choose in life, which places Belize firmly in the middle on this variable. Nearly three-quarters of the population think that Belize is tolerant of racial and ethnic minorities, which is a high figure by global standards.* However, only 53% think that immigrants are welcome, which is a score near the bottom of the table, in 86th place overall.*

Belize’s familial social capital is reduced by a low marriage rate of just 39%, which is 86th on this variable overall.* However, 87% of people feel they have someone to rely on in times of difficulty, placing Belize inside the top half of the Index.* Six in 10 people report that religion is important in their lives, which is in line with global averages.* Although only a low 30% of people had donated money to charity in the last month, 53% had helped a stranger, which is the 29th highest result in the world, and 28% had carried out volunteer work, the 20th highest percentage, globally.*

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

• Back to top