Urban Population: Belize
Belize's urban population is currently 41.8% as of 2024. # Belize Urban Population Belize's urban population stands at 41.
Current (2024)
41.8%
-0.5% y/y
Peak (1970)
54.3%
Low (2024)
41.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Belize
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Belize
Analysis# Belize Urban Population
Belize's urban population stands at 41.753% in 2024, marking a significant decline from its all-time peak of 54.253% in 1970. Over the 64-year period from 1960 to 2024, the country has experienced a net decrease of 22.5 percentage points, shifting from predominantly urban settlement patterns toward greater rural distribution. The current figure represents both the lowest point in recorded data and a reversal of mid-20th-century urbanization trends.
The steady downward trajectory since 2015 reveals a consistent annual decline averaging roughly 0.2 percentage points per year. This sustained rural migration pattern suggests structural economic shifts, possibly reflecting agricultural development, land availability, or economic opportunities outside major urban centers. If current trends persist, Belize's urbanization rate will continue contracting, fundamentally reshaping the country's demographic and settlement geography in coming decades.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41.8% | -0.46% |
| 2023 | 41.9% | -0.45% |
| 2022 | 42.1% | -0.60% |
| 2021 | 42.4% | -0.61% |
| 2020 | 42.6% | -0.60% |
| 2019 | 42.9% | -0.60% |
| 2018 | 43.2% | -0.59% |
| 2017 | 43.4% | -0.59% |
| 2016 | 43.7% | -0.58% |
| 2015 | 43.9% | -0.57% |
| 2014 | 44.2% | -0.57% |
| 2013 | 44.4% | -0.56% |
| 2012 | 44.7% | -0.56% |
| 2011 | 44.9% | -0.55% |
| 2010 | 45.2% | -0.59% |
| 2009 | 45.5% | -0.66% |
| 2008 | 45.8% | -0.70% |
| 2007 | 46.1% | -0.70% |
| 2006 | 46.4% | -0.68% |
| 2005 | 46.7% | -0.63% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 47.0% | -0.55% |
| 2003 | 47.3% | -0.43% |
| 2002 | 47.5% | -0.29% |
| 2001 | 47.6% | -0.12% |
| 2000 | 47.7% | +0.02% |
| 1999 | 47.7% | +0.07% |
| 1998 | 47.6% | +0.11% |
| 1997 | 47.6% | +0.13% |
| 1996 | 47.5% | +0.13% |
| 1995 | 47.5% | +0.13% |
| 1994 | 47.4% | +0.11% |
| 1993 | 47.4% | +0.08% |
| 1992 | 47.3% | +0.04% |
| 1991 | 47.3% | -0.12% |
| 1990 | 47.4% | -0.42% |
| 1989 | 47.6% | -0.66% |
| 1988 | 47.9% | -0.84% |
| 1987 | 48.3% | -0.97% |
| 1986 | 48.8% | -1.05% |
| 1985 | 49.3% | -1.08% |
| 1984 | 49.8% | -1.06% |
| 1983 | 50.3% | -0.99% |
| 1982 | 50.8% | -0.88% |
| 1981 | 51.3% | -0.71% |
| 1980 | 51.7% | -0.62% |
| 1979 | 52.0% | -0.64% |
| 1978 | 52.3% | -0.65% |
| 1977 | 52.7% | -0.63% |
| 1976 | 53.0% | -0.60% |
| 1975 | 53.3% | -0.54% |
| 1974 | 53.6% | -0.47% |
| 1973 | 53.9% | -0.37% |
| 1972 | 54.1% | -0.25% |
| 1971 | 54.2% | -0.11% |
| 1970 | 54.3% | +0.01% |
| 1969 | 54.3% | +0.04% |
| 1968 | 54.2% | +0.07% |
| 1967 | 54.2% | +0.09% |
| 1966 | 54.1% | +0.10% |
| 1965 | 54.1% | +0.10% |
| 1964 | 54.0% | +0.10% |
| 1963 | 54.0% | +0.08% |
| 1962 | 53.9% | +0.06% |
| 1961 | 53.9% | +0.03% |
| 1960 | 53.9% | — |
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