Until independence in 1981, the largest population group in Belize was comprised of Creoles, as descendants of African slaves. Subsequently, immigration from neighboring countries has meant that Latinos, who are descended from indigenous peoples and Europeans, are now the most numerous. English is official language but Spanish is widespread and many Belizians are bilingual or multilingual.
In a 2010 census, 53 percent identified themselves as Latino / mestizo / Spanish, terms used here for people who are descended from white and American indigenous people. Creoles accounted for 26 percent, while 11 per cent identified with the indigenous people of Maya (dominant population group in neighboring Guatemala) and 6 percent with Garífauna, who are descendants of Africans and Caribbean natives. In addition, there were smaller groups of Indians, Mennonites (see Religion), whites and East Asians.
- COUNTRYAAH.COM: Key populations estimated size and data of Belize, including population density of how many people per square mile. Also included are facts for population and language.
In the census, the respondents could indicate belonging to two people groups, which means that the total figure exceeds 100 percent.
Immigration has led to rapid population growth. Nearly every six Belizians are foreign-born, most in Central America. At the same time, many Belizians live abroad, mainly in the United States.
Belize has a large rural population for the region, which has increased as a result of immigration.
English is an official language, but because of the great immigration from other states in Central America, many are Spanish-speaking today. It is no longer required that one can speak English to become a citizen and in school Spanish education is compulsory.
Belizean creole (kriol) is based on English with elements from, among others, Spanish, and is widely used. Maya and Garifuna are also spoken, and the Mennonites speak German.
FACTS – POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
Population
half of the population have mixed abusions from indigenous peoples and Europeans, a quarter have predominantly African abusers, 11 percent count on Maya and 6 percent on Garifuna, in addition to small groups of Indians, whites, East Asians, etc.
Number of residents
374,681 (2017)
Number of residents per square kilometer
16 (2017)
Percentage of residents in the cities
45.6 percent (2017)
Nativity / birth
22.5 per 1000 residents (2016)
Mortality / mortality
5.5 per 1000 residents (2016)
POPULATION GROWTH
2.1 percent (2017)
fertility rate
2.5 number of births per woman (2016)
Percentage of women
50.2 percent (2017)
Life expectancy
70 years (2016)
Life expectancy for women
73 years (2016)
Life expectancy for men
68 years (2016)
Language
English is officially language 1
- Belizean Creole, Spanish, Carib (Garifuna) and various Native American languages are also spoken