Belize Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Belize's regulatory quality was -0.33 in 2025, ranked 119th globally. This represents a 22.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Belize's regulatory quality stood at -0.33 in 2025, a rise of +0.10 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.33 by 2025. Belize ranked 119th globally.
Belize’s regulatory quality score on the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from a modest 0.14 in 1996 to –0.33 in 2025, placing the nation at 119th position globally. The indicator reached its highest point of 0.21 in 2000, reflecting a brief period of relatively effective rule‑making and enforcement, but then declined sharply, hitting a trough of –0.67 in 2018 before modestly recovering to the current level. Over the 26‑year coverage span, Belize’s trajectory mirrors that of other lower‑ranked economies; for example, Mexico posted a comparable score of –0.32 in 2025, while the Federated States of Micronesia recorded –0.34. The persistent downward swing suggests that regulatory reforms, greater institutional capacity, and clearer legal frameworks will be essential to reverse the trend and improve Belize’s standing in future assessments.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.30 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.33 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.33 | +0.10 | #119 |
| 2023 | -0.43 | +0.01 | #129 |
| 2022 | -0.44 | −0.01 | #129 |
| 2021 | -0.42 | +0.13 | #128 |
| 2020 | -0.55 | +0.01 | #138 |
| 2019 | -0.56 | +0.11 | #140 |
| 2018 | -0.67 | −0.11 | #146 |
| 2017 | -0.56 | −0.06 | #141 |
| 2016 | -0.49 | −0.05 | #135 |
| 2015 | -0.44 | +0.02 | #130 |
| 2014 | -0.46 | −0.01 | #132 |
| 2013 | -0.45 | −0.01 | #130 |
| 2012 | -0.44 | −0.06 | #129 |
| 2011 | -0.38 | −0.04 | #124 |
| 2010 | -0.34 | +0.03 | #120 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's regulatory quality was -0.33 in 2025. Ranked 119th globally. This represents a 22.7% increase from the previous year.
Belize's regulatory quality peaked at 0.21 in 2000.
The lowest regulatory quality in Belize was -0.67 in 2018.
Belize ranks 119th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Belize's regulatory quality is projected to reach -0.33 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Belize in 2025 was -0.33. This ranks 119th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_regulatory-quality,
title = {Belize Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}