Belize Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Belize's dependency ratio was 44.91 in 2025, ranked 178th globally. This represents a 2.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Belize's dependency ratio stood at 44.91 in 2025, a decline of +1.29 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 44.91 by 2025. Belize ranked 178th globally.
Belize’s dependency ratio has fallen dramatically over the 66‑year series, slipping from a post‑independence high of 115.54 in 1969 to a historic low of 44.91 in 2025, ranking it 178th globally. The sharp decline reflects both a rapid expansion of the working‑age population and a modest contraction in the proportion of children and older adults, a pattern echoed in nearby Costa Rica, whose 2025 ratio stands at 44.84. The early peak coincided with a youthful demographic bulge that placed a heavy burden on the limited labor force, whereas the contemporary trough suggests a more balanced age structure that can support higher per‑capita income and fiscal sustainability. Nonetheless, the ratio remains sensitive to fertility trends, migration flows and longevity gains; any reversal in these drivers could stall or reverse the downward trajectory, underscoring the importance of policies that maintain labor‑force participation and manage ageing pressures.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 42.88 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 43.90 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 44.91 | - | - |
| 2025 | 44.91 | −1.29 | #178 |
| 2024 | 46.20 | −0.50 | #42 |
| 2023 | 46.70 | −1.05 | #48 |
| 2022 | 47.75 | −1.31 | #53 |
| 2021 | 49.06 | −1.04 | #59 |
| 2020 | 50.11 | −0.93 | #70 |
| 2019 | 51.04 | −0.86 | #79 |
| 2018 | 51.90 | −1.04 | #89 |
| 2017 | 52.94 | −1.46 | #98 |
| 2016 | 54.40 | −1.64 | #116 |
| 2015 | 56.04 | −1.62 | #130 |
| 2014 | 57.65 | −1.71 | #137 |
| 2013 | 59.37 | −1.82 | #139 |
| 2012 | 61.19 | −1.98 | #146 |
| 2011 | 63.17 | −2.20 | #149 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's dependency ratio was 44.91 in 2025. Ranked 178th globally. This represents a 2.8% decrease from the previous year.
Belize's dependency ratio peaked at 115.54 in 1969.
The lowest dependency ratio in Belize was 44.91 in 2025.
Belize ranks 178th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belize's dependency ratio is projected to reach 44.91 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Belize in 2025 was 44.91. This ranks 178th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_dependency-ratio,
title = {Belize Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}