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Sheet 18 of 195 · AmericasBLZ · 17.0°N 88.7°W

Belize

Belize · Belice

Capital
Belmopan
Population
422,924 2025
Area
22,966 km²
Neighbours
2
Locator map of BelizeBELIZEBelmopanMEXICOGUATEMALAHONDURASCaribbean SeaBahía deCampeche0100 km
Belize hatched, Belmopan marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 17.2°N 88.5°W; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Belize is a country in Central America bordered by Guatemala and Mexico. At 22,966 km², it ranks 147th of 195 by area, close in size to Djibouti and El Salvador.

Its population was 422,924 in 2025 (World Bank), the 25th-smallest of the 194 countries with data. Density is 18 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 41.6% in 2025.

GDP per capita was US$7,865 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 95th of 191 and 25th of 35 in the Americas. Life expectancy at birth was 73.7 years in 2024.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North to south it runs about 288 km, between 15.9°N and 18.5°N. Belmopan's antipode is in the Indian Ocean, about 820 km from Indian Ocean Territories, the nearest land.

How it compares Americas: 35 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAmericas
Population422,9242025, World Bank170th of 19427th of 35
Area22,966 km²world-countries147th of 19524th of 35
GDPUS$3.3 billion2025, World Bank, current US$165th of 19129th of 35
GDP per capitaUS$7,8652025, World Bank, current US$95th of 19125th of 35
Population density18 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries171st of 19429th of 35
Life expectancy73.7 years2024, World Bank98th of 19422nd of 35
Urban population41.6%2025, World Bank148th of 19430th of 35
Forest area58.0% of land2024, World Bank33rd of 1948th of 35
Population growth+1.39% a year2025, World Bank73rd of 1943rd of 35
Internet users80.0%2024, World Bank99th of 18818th of 35
Fertility rate2.02 births per woman2024, World Bank97th of 19412th of 35
Land neighbours2world-countries; among the 195112th of 19514th of 35
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaDjibouti, El Salvador and Israel

Closest in populationBahamas, Iceland and Brunei

Neighbours 2 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Guatemala348 km
    Belmopan to Guatemala City, capital to capital
  • Mexico1,121 km
    Belmopan to Mexico City, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern and Western
Capital
Belmopan
17.25°N 88.77°W
Northernmost latitude
18.48°N
Southernmost latitude
15.89°N
Westernmost longitude
89.24°W
Easternmost longitude
87.79°W
North to south
about 288 km
Antipode of Belmopan
17.25°S 91.23°E
in the Indian Ocean, about 820 km from the nearest land (Indian Ocean Territories)