Statistical Institute of Belize Presents Key Findings of the 2022 Population and Housing Census

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – April 8, 2024 – The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) is pleased to announce the release of its much-anticipated Key Findings from the 2022 Population and Housing Census. This comprehensive and complex data collection endeavor serves as a cornerstone of official statistics in Belize, providing invaluable insights into demographic trends, housing conditions, and societal changes crucial for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation. Conducted every ten years, the Census represents a monumental national effort to gather accurate and reliable disaggregated data that reflects the realities of Belizean society. The Key Findings compiled by the SIB provide a wealth of information that offers a panoramic view of our nation’s population and housing landscape.

Key Highlights of the 2022 Census:

In 2022, Belize’s total household population stood at 397,483 persons, reflecting a 23 percent increase since the last Census in 2010. The country maintained a relatively gender-balanced profile, with 49.2 percent of persons living in Belize at the time of the Census being males and 50.8 percent being females. Analysis of age demographics reveals that 27.6 percent of the population were children falling below the age of 14, while the remaining 72.4 percent comprised the working age population (14 years and older). The national median age increased from 21 years in 2010 to 25 years in 2022. The diverse ethnic composition characteristic of Belize continued to be evident in the 2022 Census data. While 51.7 percent of the population identified as Mestizo/Hispanic/Latino, persons that identified as Creole, Maya, Garifuna and East Indian accounted for 25.2 percent, 9.8 percent, 4 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.  The remaining 7.8 percent was comprised of a mosaic of numerous other ethnicities.

The total number of households stood at 110,719 households in 2022, with 42.2 percent found in urban areas and 57.8 percent found in rural areas. The average household size saw a decrease from 4.0 persons in 2010 to 3.6 persons in 2022. When compared to the previous Census in 2010, households in 2022 saw improvements in both home ownership and general living conditions. More than two-thirds or 67.8 percent of all households owned the dwelling in which they resided, either with or without a mortgage. Additionally, 83.8 percent of households reported that their main source of water was public and almost three-quarters or 74.3 percent indicated that the main source of their drinking water was bottled/purified water. Almost 9 out of every 10 households, or 87.4 percent, obtained their main source of lighting from the Belize Electricity Limited, while 76.5 percent reported that their main type of toilet facility was a flush toilet linked to either a septic tank or public sewer system. These developments reflected clear improvements in living standards and infrastructure development when compared to 2010.

The findings of the 2022 Population and Housing Census underscore the indispensable role of data-driven decision-making in shaping the future trajectory of Belize. By capturing the complexities of our society, the Census equips policymakers, planners, and stakeholders with the information needed to address emerging challenges, seize opportunities, and foster inclusive development.  The SIB remains committed to upholding the highest standards with respect to data integrity, transparency, and professionalism as it seeks to continue fulfilling its mandate of providing accurate, timely, and relevant statistical information to empower informed decision-making and promote national development.

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For more information on the 2022 Population and Housing Census please contact:

Javier Romero

Communications and Marketing Officer

Statistical Institute of Belize

jromero@mail.sib.org.bz

+501 822 2207 ext. 209