Belize Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Belize's labor force participation was 59.10% in 2025, ranked 109th globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Belize's labor force participation stood at 59.10% in 2025, a rise of +2.25pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.25% by 2026. Belize ranked 109th globally.
Belize’s labor force participation rate has risen modestly from 55.37 % in 1990 to 59.10 % in 2025, placing the country at 109th globally. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 69.73 % in 2019, before a sharp contraction to a trough of 54.68 % in 2020, reflecting the pandemic‑related shock that hit many small open economies. Since that low, participation has recovered steadily, though it remains well below the pre‑pandemic peak. Compared with peers of similar rank, Belize’s rate is almost identical to Serbia’s 59.14 % and slightly above Namibia’s 58.84 %, suggesting that regional labor market dynamics are broadly comparable. The 36‑year coverage shows a gradual upward trajectory, but the post‑2020 rebound has been incremental. Continued improvements in education, formal sector expansion and targeted employment policies could accelerate participation and move the rate closer to its 2019 peak in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 56.46% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 56.85% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 57.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 59.10% | +2.25pp | #109 |
| 2024 | 56.85% | −0.77pp | #129 |
| 2023 | 57.62% | −0.70pp | #123 |
| 2022 | 58.32% | −2.04pp | #119 |
| 2021 | 60.36% | +5.68pp | #96 |
| 2020 | 54.68% | −15.05pp | #131 |
| 2019 | 69.73% | +2.43pp | #32 |
| 2018 | 67.30% | +3.26pp | #43 |
| 2017 | 64.03% | −0.21pp | #71 |
| 2016 | 64.25% | +0.38pp | #69 |
| 2015 | 63.87% | +0.38pp | #72 |
| 2014 | 63.49% | +0.86pp | #74 |
| 2013 | 62.63% | +0.23pp | #78 |
| 2012 | 62.40% | +0.23pp | #83 |
| 2011 | 62.16% | +0.23pp | #82 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's labor force participation was 59.10% in 2025. Ranked 109th globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from the previous year.
Belize's labor force participation peaked at 69.73% in 2019.
The lowest labor force participation in Belize was 54.68% in 2020.
Belize ranks 109th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belize's labor force participation is projected to reach 57.25% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Belize in 2025 was 59.10%. This ranks 109th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_labor-force-participation,
title = {Belize Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}