Census Data Sparks Questions on Belize Birth Rates and Population Decline

Is Belize facing a fertility crisis? The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says that authorities should be monitoring fertility data closely to answer that question. While previous population estimates for Belize projected that the population would be around 441,000, the data from the 2022 population and housing census showed that the country was just under 400,000. The UNFPA recently held a special briefing with the media to discuss the State of the World Population Report (SOWP), where the issue was raised. The flagship report, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World,” shows that birth rates are falling across the world. The report cites various factors impeding people from having the number of children that they want, including financial constraints and limited access to childcare. Tisa Grant, Head of the UNFPA Office in Belize, says that more in-depth studies and data analysis need to be conducted to shed light on Belize’s unique situation.

The full state of the world population report is available online.