Belize

By: Stella Clark

Country Overview

Belize is a small, upper middle income Caribbean nation with a population of about 420,000. The country’s economy depends heavily on tourism, agriculture, and remittances. Despite relatively low unemployment, limited job opportunities and wage disparities drive many Belizeans, especially youth and skilled workers, to migrate abroad (World Bank 2024; IOM 2023).

Key Labor Export Statistics

• Approximately 52,000 Belizeans emigrated in 2023 (UN DESA 2023)

• 53% of labor migrants from Belize are female, while 47% are male (UN DESA 2023)

• Main employment sectors abroad: healthcare, hospitality, education, and services  (IOM 2023; OECD 2024)

Top Destination Countries

1. United States

2. United Kingdom

3. Canada

4. Jamaica

(UN DESA 2023; IOM 2023)

Remittance Data

• Annual remittance inflow (2024): 154.15 USD

• Share of GDP: About 4.63% (World Bank 2024)                                                                    

Legal Gaps

Belize lacks comprehensive legislation to protect migrant workers abroad and does not have bilateral labor agreements with major destination countries. While the Labor Act provides domestic worker protections, enforcement abroad depends on host-country regulations. Returning migrants face limited reintegration programs or social protection coverage (ILO 2024; U.S. Department of State 2024).

NGO & Support Resources

• International Organization for Migration (IOM): IOM

• Human Rights Commission of Belize: HRCB

• UNHCR Belize: Belize | UNHCR US: UNHCR

“Migration from Belize reflects both opportunity and necessity — workers seek education and stability abroad, while their remittances sustain families and local economies.”

— International Organization for Migration, Regional Migration Overview 2023

Sources

International Organization for Migration (IOM). 2023. Migration Trends in Central America and the Caribbean. IOM Regional Office. Accessed October 14, 2025.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). 2023. International Migrant Stock 2023 Database. Accessed October 14, 2025.

World Bank KNOMAD. 2024. Remittance Inflows (USD and % of GDP) by Country. Washington, DC. Accessed October 14, 2025.

World Bank. 2024. World Development Indicators: Belize. Washington, DC.

International Labour Organization (ILO). 2024. Country Profile: Belize – Labour Migration and Decent Work. Geneva.

U.S. Department of State. 2024. Trafficking in Persons Report – Belize Section. Washington, DC.

OECD. 2024. International Migration Outlook 2024. Paris: OECD Publishing.