Society of Belize

society2

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km: 16

Life expectancy:   70 years

Net primary enrolment: 96%

Population: 359,000 (2015); 44 per cent of people live in urban areas; growth 2.1 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 23 per 1,000 people (40 in 1970); life expectancy 70 years (66 in 1970).

Belizeans descend from Mayans, Caribs and the many groups who came as loggers, settlers, refugees, slaves and imported labour: English, Spanish, Africans and East Indians.

According to the 2000 census, the population comprises 49 per cent Mestizos (Maya–Spanish), 25 per cent Creoles (Afro–European), 11 per cent Mayans and six per cent Garifuna (Afro–Carib). There is a small Mennonite farming community who speak a dialect of German, and a fast-growing Chinese community.

Language: English is the official language, but Spanish is the most widely spoken first language, and an English-based Creole is widely used. Other languages are Maya, Garifuna and Ketchi. Most Belizeans are bilingual and many trilingual.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 40 per cent, Pentecostals 8.5 per cent, Seventh Day Adventists 5.5 per cent, Anglicans five per cent, Mennonites, Baptists, Methodists); there are small minorities of Baha’i, Muslims and Jews (2010 census).

Media: Weekly newspapers include Amandala (biweekly), The Belize Times (People’s United Party), The Guardian (United Democratic Party), The Reporter and The San Pedro Sun (published on the island of Ambergris Caye).

Radio stations and TV channels are all privately owned; one radio station is broadcast in Spanish, one is affiliated with the United Democratic Party and another to the People’s United Party.

There are 280 personal computers per 1,000 people (2013).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Baron Bliss Day (9 March), Labour Day (1 May), Commonwealth Day (24 May), St George’s Caye Day (10 September), Independence Day (21 September), Pan-American Day (12 October), Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Carnival (week before Lent), Good Friday and Easter Monday.