Belize Population
Latin America & Caribbean · 174th most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
430,373
The population of Belize is about 430,373 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 429 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.01% of the world's people.
Belize is ranked 174th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.35% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 517 thousand. That is 4.7 times its 1960 population of 91 thousand. Population density is 19 people per square kilometre. 42% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
429 thousand
Yearly change
+1.35%
World rank
174th
Share of world
0.01%
Density
19/km²
Land area
22,810 km²
Life expectancy
73.7 yrs
Births per woman
2.02
GDP per capita
$7,865
GDP
$3.3B
Population of Belize, 1960–2050
Belize population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 91,318 | — | 4 |
| 1970 | 120,736 | +2.28% | 5 |
| 1980 | 145,062 | +2.39% | 6 |
| 1990 | 183,076 | +2.22% | 8 |
| 2000 | 240,799 | +3.32% | 11 |
| 2010 | 320,245 | +2.44% | 14 |
| 2020 | 390,812 | +1.29% | 17 |
| 2024 | 417,072 | +1.45% | 18 |
| 2026proj. | 428,644 | +1.35% | 19 |
| 2030proj. | 449,839 | +1.13% | 20 |
| 2040proj. | 491,595 | +0.67% | 22 |
| 2050proj. | 516,627 | +0.37% | 23 |
Belize vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 415 times as many people as Belize. Bangladesh is 72.7 times more densely populated.
Belize population: questions and answers
What is the population of Belize in 2026?
About 428,644 (429 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Belize's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.35% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Belize?
About 19 people per km², with a land area of 22,810 km².
What will the population of Belize be in 2050?
About 517 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Belize?
Belmopan.
What is the life expectancy in Belize?
73.7 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.