Report Ranks Belize Most Affordable Country in the Caribbean

Belize has emerged as the most affordable country in the Caribbean according to PayPulse 2025, the latest regional salary benchmarking report released by the Caribbean Society for Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP).  The report introduces a new Affordability Index, which measures how well average salaries cover basic monthly living costs, including housing, food, utilities, and transportation. Belize recorded an index of 233.99 percent, the highest in the region, indicating that average salaries more than double the cost of basic living expenses for a family of four.  CSHRP says the findings place Belize well ahead of other regional performers such as Guyana and Grenada and sharply contrast with several Caribbean territories where average salaries fall short of meeting monthly living costs.  The report also shows that 53.3 percent of job roles in Belize pay above the regional market value, placing the country among the top three Caribbean nations for salary competitiveness. Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis were the only countries to rank higher in that category. PayPulse 2025 is the most extensive survey conducted to date, drawing data from 206 responses across 119 companies in 20 Caribbean countries, covering 137 job roles across 34 industries. All figures are standardized in U.S. dollars to allow for regional comparison.  CSHRP notes that Belize’s strong showing reflects a balance between wages and living costs, making it an increasingly attractive destination for workers and employers alike. However, the report also highlights broader regional challenges, with eight Caribbean countries recording affordability indices below 100 percent, meaning average salaries do not fully cover basic living expenses.  PayPulse 2025 is the fourth edition of the Caribbean’s most comprehensive salary benchmarking report.