Skip to content

Economy of Belize vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 168/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Belize vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Belize
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Saint Lucia
2024 $3,203,631,800 $2,549,062,963
2023 $3,052,362,650 $2,430,166,667
2022 $2,846,604,350 $2,342,714,815
2021 $2,428,606,250 $1,867,185,185
2020 $2,047,284,600 $1,499,274,074
2019 $2,381,187,850 $2,095,344,444
2018 $2,285,915,050 $2,060,955,556
2017 $2,266,028,250 $1,998,503,704
2016 $2,239,604,950 $1,868,544,444
2015 $2,193,095,150 $1,807,640,741
2014 $2,138,242,200 $1,749,185,185
2013 $2,035,191,450 $1,660,392,593
2012 $1,917,083,500 $1,598,207,407
2011 $1,831,576,700 $1,568,370,370
2010 $1,748,988,400 $1,482,385,185
2009 $1,688,012,750 $1,401,507,889
2008 $1,738,453,600 $1,437,731,111
2007 $1,706,190,450 $1,336,088,815
2006 $1,590,463,100 $1,268,319,185
2005 $1,474,298,400 $1,135,555,556
2004 $1,400,202,000 $1,066,666,667
2003 $1,308,280,250 $987,407,407
2002 $1,243,912,050 $900,000,000
2001 $1,172,045,150 $892,592,593
2000 $1,138,138,100 $932,592,593
1999 $999,713,050 $921,851,852
1998 $929,047,000 $877,407,407
1997 $872,916,050 $805,925,926
1996 $850,339,100 $788,888,889
1995 $818,590,250 $762,962,963
1994 $771,838,000 $713,703,704
1993 $752,255,150 $684,814,815
1992 $695,741,150 $674,074,074
1991 $596,682,100 $613,703,704
1990 $546,750,912 $579,629,630
1989 $491,100,000 $486,666,667
1988 $421,450,000 $429,629,630
1987 $371,100,000 $375,555,556
1986 $311,500,000 $340,000,000
1985 $287,300,000 $284,444,444
1984 $290,350,000 $251,481,481
1983 $262,150,000 $197,037,037
1982 $248,550,000 $183,333,333
1981 $260,750,000 $194,444,444
1980 $257,400,000 $170,370,370
1979 $151,800,000 -
1978 $136,300,000 -
1977 $117,650,000 -
1976 $97,094,227 -
1975 $118,194,026 -
1974 $103,160,450 -
1973 $78,214,768 -
1972 $65,998,069 -
1971 $59,074,687 -
1970 $53,339,893 -
1969 $47,399,905 -
1968 $44,999,910 -
1967 $47,431,256 -
1966 $44,450,044 -
1965 $40,110,040 -
1964 $36,194,586 -
1963 $33,750,114 -
1962 $31,857,592 -
1961 $29,965,000 -
1960 $28,072,478 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belize vs Saint Lucia by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $2,742 - $3,565 -
1988 $2,406 - $3,182 -
1987 $2,166 - $2,819 -
1986 $1,859 - $2,591 -
1985 $1,754 - $2,202 -
1984 $1,814 - $1,979 -
1983 $1,677 - $1,576 -
1982 $1,629 - $1,489 -
1981 $1,753 - $1,605 -
1980 $1,774 - $1,428 -
1979 $1,071 - - -
1978 $983 - - -
1977 $866 - - -
1976 $729 - - -
1975 $906 - - -
1974 $805 - - -
1973 $619 - - -
1972 $529 - - -
1971 $481 - - -
1970 $442 - - -
1969 $402 - - -
1968 $392 - - -
1967 $426 - - -
1966 $412 - - -
1965 $383 - - -
1964 $356 - - -
1963 $342 - - -
1962 $332 - - -
1961 $320 - - -
1960 $307 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Belize Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$10,412
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
10.1%
2024
Population
430409
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 23% 74.4%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 27.4% 87%
2020 33.2% 103% 34.9% 100%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 26.9% 79% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 23% 61.3%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 28% 60.8%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 27% 55.2%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 26% 53%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 24.5% 51%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 26% 51.9%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 23.2% 79% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 - - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 67/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Saint Lucia
2024 -1.23% -2.13%
2023 -2.42% -3.09%
2022 -1.04% -1.67%
2021 -3.29% -5.1%
2020 -8.57% -12%
2019 -2.9% -3.51%
2018 -1.37% -1.03%
2017 -3.48% -1.14%
2016 -4.47% -0.79%
2015 -5.14% -2.35%
2014 -1.72% -3.08%
2013 -1.21% -4.84%
2012 -0.22% -7.62%
2011 -1.06% -5.38%
2010 -1.9% -4.17%
2009 -2.46% -2.67%
2008 1.25% -0.72%
2007 -0.19% -1.62%
2006 -2.27% -5.07%
2005 -3.7% -6.18%
2004 -4.52% -2.63%
2003 -8.41% -3.23%
2002 -5.41% -3.1%
2001 -7.23% -3.08%
2000 -6.68% -1.16%
1999 -6.51% 1.62%
1998 -2.69% 2.25%
1997 -1.81% -1.13%
1996 -1.76% -0.58%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.94% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Saint Lucia
2024 3.3% -0.11%
2023 4.4% 4.07%
2022 6.3% 6.38%
2021 3.2% 2.41%
2020 0.1% -1.76%
2019 0.2% 0.54%
2018 0.3% 1.94%
2017 1.1% 0.1%
2016 0.7% -3.08%
2015 -0.9% -0.98%
2014 1.2% 3.52%
2013 0.5% 1.47%
2012 1.2% 4.18%
2011 1.7% 2.77%
2010 0.9% 3.25%
2009 -1.1% -0.16%
2008 6.4% 5.55%
2007 2.3% 2.82%
2006 4.2% 2.4%
2005 3.7% 3.9%
2004 3.1% 1.46%
2003 2.6% 1.03%
2002 2.2% -0.26%
2001 1.1% 5.31%
2000 0.6% 3.71%
1999 -1.2% 3.5%
1998 -0.8% 3.2%
1997 1% -0.006%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $321K
Wood & paper products $38K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.34M
Machinery & equipment $14K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Belize Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Belize Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 64.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 57/197
Property rights 46.3 64.3
Government integrity 46.2 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 77.3
Tax burden 81.8 77.7
Government spending 81 82.6
Fiscal health 87.5 80
Business freedom 67.2 71.9
Labor freedom 57.6 65.2
Monetary freedom 72.6 81
Trade freedom 57.8 60
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Saint Lucia
2026 64.7 67.5
2025 64.2 67
2024 61.2 62.2
2023 59.8 60.7
2022 56.6 64.3
2021 57.5 67.5
2020 57.4 68.2
2019 55.4 68.7
2018 57.1 67.6
2017 58.6 65
2016 57.4 70
2015 56.8 70.2
2014 56.7 70.7
2013 57.3 70.4
2012 61.9 71.3
2011 63.8 70.8
2010 61.5 70.5
2009 63 68.8
2008 63 -
2007 63.3 -
2006 64.7 -
2005 64.5 -
2004 62.8 -
2003 63.5 -
2002 65.6 -
2001 65.9 -
2000 63.3 -
1999 60.7 -
1998 59.1 -
1997 64.3 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 62.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
n/a

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/saint-lucia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.