Demographics of Belize

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Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is larger than El Salvador. Slightly more than half of the people live in rural areas. About one-fourth live in Belize City, the principal port, commercial centre, and former capital.

Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. About 48.7% of the population is of mixed Maya and European descent (Mestizo); 24.9% are Kriols; about 10.6% are Mayan; and about 6.1% are Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna). The remainder, about 9.7%, includes European, East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American groups.

Because Belize's original Maya peoples were decimated by disease and wars, many of the country's Maya today are descended from other groups. The current Maya population consists of several different tribes. The Yucatecs fled to Belize in the late 1840s to escape the Caste War in Yucatán, Mexico. They live in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts, which border on Mexico. In the 1870s-1880s, the Kekchi ran from Verapaz, Guatemala, where their lands were being stolen for coffee plantations, which then enslaved them. They settled villages in the Toledo district. Living near rivers and streams, their lifestyle is self-reliant. The Mopans originated in Belize, but most were driven out to Guatemala after the British assumed control from the Spanish in the late 1700s. They returned to Belize in 1886, running from enslavement and taxation in Petén. The Cayo district and San Antonio in the Toledo district are their homes now. Some of the Kekchi and Mopan have mixed together.

English is the official language, however only 3.9% of the population speak it as a first laguage. Spanish language is spoken by 43% of the people as a first language and most of the population speak it. Over 37% of Belizeans speak creole language (called Kriol in the new orthography) as a first language. It is similar to various other English-based Creoles of the Caribbean. However, at least 70% of the population can speak it. The three Maya groups still speak their original Mayan languages. English is the primary language of public education, with Spanish taught in primary and secondary school as well. Bilingualism is encouraged.

About 80% of the population is Christian.

Contents 1 Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook 1.1 Population 1.2 Belize's Largest Cities & Towns by Population 1.3 Age structure 1.4 Median age 1.5 Population growth rate 1.6 Birth rate 1.7 Death rate 1.8 Net migration rate 1.9 Sex ratio 1.10 Infant mortality rate 1.11 Life expectancy at birth 1.12 Total fertility rate 1.13 HIV/AIDS 1.14 Nationality 1.15 Ethnic groups 1.16 Religions 1.17 Languages 1.18 Literacy 2 References 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook

[edit] Population

294,385 (July 2007 est.)

[edit] Belize's Largest Cities & Towns by Population

1. Belize City, BZ - 70,800
2. Orange Walk Town, OW - 17,300
3. San Ignacio, CY - 16,800
4. Belmopan, CY - 13,500
5. Dangriga, SC - 10,800
6. Corozal Town, CZ - 8,900
7. San Pedro, BZ - 8,500
8. Benque Viejo del Carmen, CY - 7,200
9. Punta Gorda, TO - 5,000
10. Trial Farm, OW - 4,500
11. Ladyville, BZ - 4,400

- Based on 2005 estimate.

[edit] Age structure

• 0-14 years: 38.9% (male 58,459/female 56,183)
• 15-64 years: 57.5% (male 85,686/female 83,717)
• 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,979/female 5,361) (2007 est.)

[edit] Median age

• total: 19.9 years
• male: 19.7 years
• female: 20 years (2007 est.)

[edit] Population growth rate

• 2.258% (2007 est.)

[edit] Birth rate

• 28.34 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

[edit] Death rate

• 5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

[edit] Net migration rate

• 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

[edit] Sex ratio

• at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
• under 15 years: 1.041 male(s)/female
• 15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female
• 65 years and over: 0.929 male(s)/female
• total population: 1.027 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

[edit] Infant mortality rate

• total: 24.38 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 27.43 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 21.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

[edit] Life expectancy at birth

• total population: 68.25 years
• male: 66.44 years
• female: 70.16 years (2007 est.)

[edit] Total fertility rate

• 3.52 children born/woman (2007 est.)

[edit] HIV/AIDS

• Adult prevalence rate: 2.4% (2003 est.)

People living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2003 est.)

Deaths: Less than 200 (2003 est.)

[edit] Nationality

• Noun: Belizean(s)
• Adjective: Belizean

[edit] Ethnic groups

• Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

[edit] Religions

• Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)

[edit] Languages

• English 3.9% (official), Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)

[edit] Literacy

• definition: age 15 and over can read and write
• total population: 76.9%
• male: 76.7%
• female: 77.1% (2000 census)

[edit] References

This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.

[edit] See also

• Kriols
• Garifuna
• Islam in Belize
• Languages of Belize
• Maya peoples
• Roman Catholicism in Belize
• Ethnic groups in Central America

[edit] External links

• Kekchi and Mopan history - Maya history by Native Planet

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