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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.bz

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3,392 (2012) country comparison to the world: 152

Internet users [time series]

36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay domestic: fixed-line teledensity of slightly less than 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 70 per 100 persons international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

25,400 (2012) country comparison to the world: 180

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

164,200 (2012) country comparison to the world: 184

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $450 million expenditures: $450 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

0% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Central bank discount rate [time series]

18% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 12% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

12.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 13.36% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$-27.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $-19.9 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.473 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $1.423 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered this growth. Exploration efforts have continued and production has increased a small amount. Growth slipped to 0% in 2009, and has remained at just over 2% per year during 2010-2012, as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and a temporary drop in the price of oil. With weak economic growth and a large public debt burden, fiscal spending is likely to be tight. In September 2012, the government paid half of a $23 million interest payment that had been due in August 2012. In January 2013, the government announced that it had reached a deal with creditors to restructure its $544 million commercial external debt, commonly referred to as the "superbond." The superbond represents one half of the country's public debt. A key government objective remains the reduction of poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. Although Belize has the second highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor. The 2010 Poverty Assessment shows that more than 4 out of 10 people live in poverty. The sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns.

Exchange rates [time series]

Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2012 est.) 2 (2011 est.) 2 (2010 est.) 2 (2009) 2 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$628.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $603.6 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil

Exports - partners [time series]

US 31.8%, UK 21.9%, Nigeria 4.8%, Japan 4.1%, Netherlands 4.1% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.558 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.967 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.818 billion (2011 est.) $2.765 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 76.7% government consumption: 17.3% investment in fixed capital: 30.2% investment in inventories: 0.9% exports of goods and services: 67.5% imports of goods and services: -93% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 13% industry: 23% services: 64% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$8,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $8,400 (2011 est.) $8,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 1.9% (2011 est.) 2.7% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

29.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 28.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 25% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$837.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $778.2 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Imports - partners [time series]

US 23.6%, Germany 15%, Mexico 11.5%, Cuba 8.4%, Guatemala 4.8%, China 4.7%, Singapore 4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Industries [time series]

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 -3.6% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

120,500 country comparison to the world: 180 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

41.3% (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

84.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 87.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$288.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $237.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.263 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.101 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $968 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$551.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $419.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

28.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.3% (2012) country comparison to the world: 120 13.1% (2009)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

536,300 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - exports [time series]

4,345 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Crude oil - production [time series]

3,239 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

6.7 million bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - consumption [time series]

630 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

51.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

32% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

16.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - imports [time series]

171 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

178,100 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - production [time series]

524.2 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 115

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

7,044 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

3,493 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 22,966 sq km country comparison to the world: 152 land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Coastline [time series]

386 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.22 cu km/yr (4%/49%/46%) per capita: 845.2 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Geography - note [time series]

only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land [time series]

30 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3.27% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.34% (2011)

Location [time series]

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Natural resources [time series]

arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Total renewable water resources [time series]

18.55 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Capital [time series]

name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981; amended several times, last in 2012 (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Margaret HAWTHORNE embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize telephone: [501] 822-4011 FAX: [501] 822-4012

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ (since 10 July 2008) chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from the General Assembly (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

21 September 1981 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges) note - in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75 subordinate courts: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil)

Legal system [time series]

English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 50.4%, PUP 47.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - UDP 17, PUP 14

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Land of the Free"

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal); keel-billed toucan

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK] People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA] People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO] United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver BARROW] Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN] We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Nicole HAYLOCK] Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ] National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize plan to hold a simultaneous referendum, set for 6 October 2013, to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high unemployment, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, high crime rates, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 81,284 females age 16-49: 79,185 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 59,431 females age 16-49: 57,221 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 3,723 female: 3,584 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.2% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 118

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 35.8% (male 61,118/female 58,665) 15-24 years: 21.1% (male 35,912/female 34,596) 25-54 years: 35.1% (male 59,196/female 58,024) 55-64 years: 4.4% (male 7,374/female 7,407) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 5,677/female 6,328) (2013 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

25.58 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 27,751 percentage: 40 % (2001 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

4.9% (2006) country comparison to the world: 88

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

55.2% (2011)

Death rate [time series]

5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Demographic profile [time series]

Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent. Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 60.9 % youth dependency ratio: 54.5 % elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 % potential support ratio: 15.6 (2013)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 99% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 1% of population total: 2% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 27

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

2.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

4,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

5.7% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 120

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 20.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 90 male: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.4 years country comparison to the world: 160 male: 66.75 years female: 70.13 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 76.7% female: 77.1% (2000 census)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

BELMOPAN (capital) 14,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

53 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 106

Median age [time series]

total: 21.5 years male: 21.4 years female: 21.7 years (2013 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

33.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 15

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

334,297 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Population growth rate [time series]

1.97% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 39.3%, Pentacostal 8.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.3%, Anglican 4.5%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.5%, Methodist 2.8%, Nazarene 2.8%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.6%, other 9.9% (includes Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Mormon), other (unknown) 3.1%, none 15.2% (2010 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 93% of population rural: 87% of population total: 90% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 13% of population total: 10% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2003)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.08 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 19.5% country comparison to the world: 60 male: 13.8% female: 28.8% (2005)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 52% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to the Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution; Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

47 (2013) country comparison to the world: 92

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 29 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 247 country comparison to the world: 33 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 33, cargo 156, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 152 (Bulgaria 1, China 61, Croatia 1, Estonia 1, Greece 2, Iceland 1, Italy 3, Latvia 9, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Russia 30, Singapore 4, Switzerland 1, Syria 4, Thailand 1, Turkey 16, UAE 3, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Belize City, Big Creek

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,870 km country comparison to the world: 169 paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,382 km (2011)

Waterways [time series]

825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2011) country comparison to the world: 71