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Economy of Belize vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 168/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Belize vs United States GDP by year

Belize
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize United States
2024 $3,203,631,800 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $3,052,362,650 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $2,846,604,350 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $2,428,606,250 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $2,047,284,600 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $2,381,187,850 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $2,285,915,050 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $2,266,028,250 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $2,239,604,950 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $2,193,095,150 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $2,138,242,200 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $2,035,191,450 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $1,917,083,500 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $1,831,576,700 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $1,748,988,400 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $1,688,012,750 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $1,738,453,600 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $1,706,190,450 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $1,590,463,100 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $1,474,298,400 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $1,400,202,000 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $1,308,280,250 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $1,243,912,050 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $1,172,045,150 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $1,138,138,100 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $999,713,050 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $929,047,000 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $872,916,050 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $850,339,100 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $818,590,250 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $771,838,000 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $752,255,150 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $695,741,150 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $596,682,100 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $546,750,912 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $491,100,000 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $421,450,000 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $371,100,000 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $311,500,000 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $287,300,000 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $290,350,000 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $262,150,000 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $248,550,000 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $260,750,000 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $257,400,000 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $151,800,000 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $136,300,000 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $117,650,000 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $97,094,227 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $118,194,026 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $103,160,450 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $78,214,768 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $65,998,069 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $59,074,687 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $53,339,893 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $47,399,905 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $44,999,910 $940,225,000,000
1967 $47,431,256 $859,620,034,483
1966 $44,450,044 $813,032,758,621
1965 $40,110,040 $741,904,862,069
1964 $36,194,586 $684,144,620,690
1963 $33,750,114 $637,058,551,724
1962 $31,857,592 $603,639,413,793
1961 $29,965,000 $561,940,310,345
1960 $28,072,478 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belize vs United States by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $2,742 - $22,857 -
1988 $2,406 - $21,417 -
1987 $2,166 - $20,039 -
1986 $1,859 - $19,071 -
1985 $1,754 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,814 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,677 - $15,544 -
1982 $1,629 - $14,434 -
1981 $1,753 - $13,976 -
1980 $1,774 - $12,613 -
1979 $1,071 - $11,674 -
1978 $983 - $10,565 -
1977 $866 - $9,453 -
1976 $729 - $8,592 -
1975 $906 - $7,801 -
1974 $805 - $7,226 -
1973 $619 - $6,726 -
1972 $529 - $6,094 -
1971 $481 - $5,609 -
1970 $442 - $5,234 -
1969 $402 - $5,020 -
1968 $392 - $4,685 -
1967 $426 - $4,326 -
1966 $412 - $4,136 -
1965 $383 - $3,818 -
1964 $356 - $3,565 -
1963 $342 - $3,366 -
1962 $332 - $3,236 -
1961 $320 - $3,059 -
1960 $307 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/united-states | CC BY

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Belize United States
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
4.02%
2024
Population
430409
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 43.2% 125%
2020 33.2% 103% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 26.9% 79% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 35% 105.4%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 35.8% 105%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 38.8% 100%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 34% 59%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 23.2% 79% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 67/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize United States
2024 -1.23% -8.03%
2023 -2.42% -7.8%
2022 -1.04% -3.72%
2021 -3.29% -11.4%
2020 -8.57% -14.1%
2019 -2.9% -5.81%
2018 -1.37% -5.33%
2017 -3.48% -4.79%
2016 -4.47% -4.36%
2015 -5.14% -3.53%
2014 -1.72% -4.03%
2013 -1.21% -4.56%
2012 -0.22% -8.11%
2011 -1.06% -9.72%
2010 -1.9% -11%
2009 -2.46% -13.2%
2008 1.25% -6.61%
2007 -0.19% -2.91%
2006 -2.27% -2.04%
2005 -3.7% -3.07%
2004 -4.52% -4.24%
2003 -8.41% -4.77%
2002 -5.41% -3.82%
2001 -7.23% -0.54%
2000 -6.68% 3.62%
1999 -6.51% 2.71%
1998 -2.69% 2.18%
1997 -1.81% 0.88%
1996 -1.76% -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.78% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize United States
2024 3.3% 2.95%
2023 4.4% 4.12%
2022 6.3% 8%
2021 3.2% 4.7%
2020 0.1% 1.23%
2019 0.2% 1.81%
2018 0.3% 2.44%
2017 1.1% 2.13%
2016 0.7% 1.26%
2015 -0.9% 0.12%
2014 1.2% 1.62%
2013 0.5% 1.46%
2012 1.2% 2.07%
2011 1.7% 3.16%
2010 0.9% 1.64%
2009 -1.1% -0.36%
2008 6.4% 3.84%
2007 2.3% 2.85%
2006 4.2% 3.23%
2005 3.7% 3.39%
2004 3.1% 2.68%
2003 2.6% 2.27%
2002 2.2% 1.59%
2001 1.1% 2.83%
2000 0.6% 3.38%
1999 -1.2% 2.19%
1998 -0.8% 1.55%
1997 1% 2.34%

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/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $32.6M
Raw materials & minerals $18.9M
Animal & marine products $14.8M
Machinery & equipment $6.86M
Raw agricultural goods $2.79M
Wood & paper products $2.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.38M
Chemicals & pharma $1.14M
Precious metals & jewellery $833K
Metals $326K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $166M
Machinery & equipment $151M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $98M
Chemicals & pharma $54.5M
Miscellaneous $51.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $19.2M
Wood & paper products $13.8M
Animal & marine products $12.1M
Metals $11.7M
Raw agricultural goods $10.8M

Balance of trade

Belize United States
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize United States
Economic freedom 64.7 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 27/197
Property rights 46.3 91.6
Government integrity 46.2 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 76.4
Tax burden 81.8 75.3
Government spending 81 57.9
Fiscal health 87.5 18.5
Business freedom 67.2 88.6
Labor freedom 57.6 76.3
Monetary freedom 72.6 84.2
Trade freedom 57.8 67.6
Investment freedom 55 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize United States
2026 64.7 72.8
2025 64.2 70.2
2024 61.2 70.1
2023 59.8 70.6
2022 56.6 72.1
2021 57.5 74.8
2020 57.4 76.6
2019 55.4 76.8
2018 57.1 75.7
2017 58.6 75.1
2016 57.4 75.4
2015 56.8 76.2
2014 56.7 75.5
2013 57.3 76
2012 61.9 76.3
2011 63.8 77.8
2010 61.5 78
2009 63 80.7
2008 63 81
2007 63.3 81.2
2006 64.7 81.2
2005 64.5 79.9
2004 62.8 78.7
2003 63.5 78.2
2002 65.6 78.4
2001 65.9 79.1
2000 63.3 76.4
1999 60.7 75.5
1998 59.1 75.4
1997 64.3 75.6
1996 61.6 76.7
1995 62.9 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize United States
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
21.8%
2024

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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.