Belize Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Belize's unemployment rate was 8.86% in 2025, ranked 139th globally. This represents a 240.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Belize's unemployment rate stood at 8.86% in 2025, a rise of +6.26pp from 2024. The IMF projects 2.60% by 2025. Belize ranked 139th globally.
Belize's unemployment rate has demonstrated a significant shift over the past three and a half decades, with the country experiencing both a peak and a trough. At 15.00% in 1990, the unemployment rate reached its all-time high, indicating a period of economic strain. Conversely, the rate declined to 6.60% in 2017, marking a notable improvement in the labor market. Since then, the rate has steadily increased, reaching 8.86% in 2025, a position of 139 globally. In comparison, Sweden, a peer country, also saw a rise in unemployment, reaching 8.69% in 2025. Belize's unemployment trajectory is somewhat divergent from that of Chile, which has seen a decrease in unemployment rate over the years. The country's recent economic growth and tourism expansion have been positively impacting the labor market, but a decline in tourism due to global economic shifts could potentially alter the trajectory of unemployment in Belize, necessitating a need for adaptable economic policies.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 2.60% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.86% | +6.26pp | #139 |
| 2024 | 8.70% | +5.35pp | #142 |
| 2023 | 8.28% | +2.18pp | #140 |
| 2022 | 8.68% | −1.57pp | #140 |
| 2021 | 10.30% | −3.45pp | #143 |
| 2020 | 10.76% | +1.72pp | #140 |
| 2019 | 9.05% | −0.32pp | #140 |
| 2018 | 9.35% | +0.02pp | #142 |
| 2017 | 6.60% | −2.95pp | #110 |
| 2016 | 7.00% | −3.14pp | #108 |
| 2015 | 7.58% | −4.02pp | #115 |
| 2014 | 8.24% | −4.68pp | #120 |
| 2013 | 8.35% | −6.93pp | #120 |
| 2012 | 8.38% | −8.35pp | #121 |
| 2011 | 8.42% | −10.09pp | #124 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's unemployment rate was 8.86% in 2025. Ranked 139th globally. This represents a 240.6% increase from the previous year.
Belize's unemployment rate peaked at 15.00% in 1990.
The lowest unemployment rate in Belize was 6.60% in 2017.
Belize ranks 139th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belize's unemployment rate is projected to reach 2.60% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Belize in 2025 was 8.86%. This ranks 139th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_unemployment-rate,
title = {Belize Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}