Belize Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Belize's urban population was 41.50% in 2025, ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Belize's urban population stood at 41.50% in 2025, a decline of +0.25% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 41.50% by 2025. Belize ranked 169th globally.
Belize’s urban population share has fallen steadily over the 66‑year series, slipping from a high of 54.25 % in 1970 to a low of 41.50 % in 2025, the latter ranking the country 169th globally. The decline contrasts sharply with the early post‑independence expansion that pushed the share above fifty percent, and it now places Belize marginally below peers such as the Maldives (42.33 %) and Egypt, Arab Republic of (42.86 %). The all‑time trough of 41.50 % underscores a long‑term rural‑centric settlement pattern, reinforced by limited internal migration and the persistence of agricultural livelihoods in the north and west. While the 2020s have seen modest urban growth in neighboring Cambodia (41.14 %), Belize’s trajectory suggests that without significant investment in urban infrastructure, housing and employment opportunities, the urban share is likely to remain constrained, though targeted policy reforms could reverse the downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 41.06% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 41.28% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 41.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 41.50% | −0.25% | #169 |
| 2024 | 41.75% | −0.19% | #48 |
| 2023 | 41.95% | −0.19% | #50 |
| 2022 | 42.14% | −0.25% | #51 |
| 2021 | 42.39% | −0.26% | #53 |
| 2020 | 42.65% | −0.26% | #55 |
| 2019 | 42.91% | −0.26% | #57 |
| 2018 | 43.16% | −0.26% | #59 |
| 2017 | 43.42% | −0.26% | #60 |
| 2016 | 43.68% | −0.25% | #61 |
| 2015 | 43.93% | −0.25% | #62 |
| 2014 | 44.19% | −0.25% | #62 |
| 2013 | 44.44% | −0.25% | #63 |
| 2012 | 44.69% | −0.25% | #65 |
| 2011 | 44.94% | −0.25% | #66 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belize matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1990. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belize's urban population was 41.50% in 2025. Ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Belize's urban population peaked at 54.25% in 1970.
The lowest urban population in Belize was 41.50% in 2025.
Belize ranks 169th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belize's urban population is projected to reach 41.50% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Belize in 2025 was 41.50%. This ranks 169th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belize_urban-population,
title = {Belize Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belize/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}