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Belize Population Overview (2026 Projections)
Belize, officially known as Belize, is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. According to the UN World Population Prospects, the estimated population of Belize in 2026 is 428,165 (around 0.43 million), making it the least populous country in Central America.
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Quick Facts – Belize
Estimated Population (2026): 428,165 (≈ 0.43 million)
2022 Population: ~405,000
Central America Rank: Lowest population
Total Land Area: 22,806 sq. km (8,805 sq. mi)
Area Rank (Central America): 4th smallest
Population Density: 17 people per sq. km
Capital City: Belmopan
Largest City: Belize City
Fertility Rate: ~2.2
Infant Mortality Rate: ~11 per 1,000 live births
Median Age: ~25.6 years
Life Expectancy: ~75.0 years
Urban Population: ~46%
Source: UN World Population Prospects, Statistical Institute of Belize
Religion in Belize
Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize, followed by 74.3% of the population. Among Christians, Roman Catholics form the largest group, followed by various Protestant denominations. Belize’s religious landscape reflects its colonial history, cultural diversity, and strong community-based churches.
According to Census 2010 and Latinobarómetro (2020), 40.4% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, while 31.8% follow Protestant denominations, including Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist, Anglican, Baptist, Mennonite, and Methodist churches. Smaller Christian groups include Jehovah’s Witnesses (1.7%) and Mormons (0.4%).
About 15.6% of Belizeans report no religious affiliation, while 9.6% follow non-Christian religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and other minority faiths.
Religion Percentage in Belize
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity (Total) | 74.3% |
| Roman Catholic | 40.4% |
| Protestant (Total) | 31.8% |
| └ Anglican | 4.6% |
| └ Baptist | 3.6% |
| └ Mennonite | 3.8% |
| └ Methodist | 2.9% |
| └ Nazarene | 2.8% |
| └ Pentecostal | 8.5% |
| └ Seventh-day Adventist | 5.5% |
| Salvation Army | 0.1% |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | 1.7% |
| Mormon | 0.4% |
| No Religious Affiliation | 15.6% |
| Other Religions | 9.6% |
| └ Buddhist | 0.3% |
| └ Hindu | 0.2% |
| └ Muslim | 0.2% |
| └ Other faiths | 8.9% |
| No response | 0.3% |
Source: Census 2010, Latinobarómetro (2020)
Race and Ethnicity in Belize
Belize is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different races, ethnicity, and national backgrounds.
48.90% of the people identified themselves as Mestizo (mixed race people of Amerindian and European descent, typically from Spanish colonists), 21.10% identified themselves as Creole (descendants of enslaved sub-Saharan Africans and intermixed with other belize groups.
Maya people (Indigenous) account for 11.30% of the population and 3.9% are East Indians (Indo-Caribbean)
The Garifuna (Afro-Belizeans are a minority population (6.10%) in Belize, they are mix of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry.
The remaining 5% or so of the population consist of a mix of Indians, Chinese, Whites from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, and many other foreign groups brought to assist the country’s development.
The 20th century saw the arrival of more Asian settlers from Mainland China, India, Syria, and Lebanon.
The racial composition is as follows
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
| Mestizo | 48.90% |
| Creole | 21.10% |
| Maya | 11.30% |
| Garifuna | 6.10% |
| East Indian | 3.90% |
| Mennonite | 3.60% |
| White | 1.20% |
| Asian | 1% |
| Other | 1.20% |
| Not Stated | 0.30% |
Source: 2017 Peru Census
Top Cities in Belize by Population
| # | City | Population |
| 1 | Belize City | 57,169 |
| 2 | San Ignacio | 17,878 |
| 3 | Belmopan | 13,939 |
| 4 | Orange Walk Town | 13,708 |
| 5 | San Pedro Town | 11,767 |
| 6 | Corozal Town | 10,287 |
| 7 | Dangriga | 9,593 |
| 8 | Benque Viejo del Carmen | 6,140 |
| 9 | Ladyville | 5,458 |
| 10 | Punta Gorda | 5,351 |
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