Belize’s Cost of Living Under the Microscope

The cost of living is back in the spotlight. The opposition United Democratic Party argues prices are simply too high. Prime Minister John Briceño counters that Belizeans are better off today, pointing to government spending and investments. Both claims sound definitive, but what do they really mean for households? We’re breaking down what prices, compared to when, and for whom, from groceries and fuel to rent and electricity, and asking whether wages and relief keep pace. News Five’s Paul Lopez digs into the numbers and the everyday realities behind them.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

From the price of vegetables and fruits to the cost of gasoline, Belizeans are feeling the pinch. The United Democratic Party argues that the cost of living is spiraling out of control, making it harder for families to make ends meet.

 

Miguel Guerra, Second Deputy, United Democratic Party

“The high cost of living, whether it is groceries, fuel, utilities, school supplies, or even rent, families are stretching their dollar further than it can go. People are working hard yet their paycheck don’t carry them as far as it can go. That is not an economic issue, that is a quality of life issue.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño says recent government investments have left Belizeans better off than in prior years.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We have raised the minimum wage, we are giving more scholarships, fifteen thousand kids are in the feeding program. We have free education, tens of thousand with complete free education in high schools across this country, NHI we have expanded it to the entire country, and it will be fully rolled out next year in Cayo. We can’t control what you pay at the grocery store, as much as we wish, because the goods come in, we cant do much, because that is the price of import.”

According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, inflation has slowed compared to last year, but food, housing, water, electricity and gas prices remain among the highest contributors to the cost of living.

 

 

Jaime Crespo, Statistician II

“This was mainly due to price increasing for non-alcoholic beverages, such as purified water, soft drinks and fruit and vegetable juices, along with food items such as cereal products, meats, and fruits and nuts. Let’s look at the housing, water, electricity, gas, category with price increasing by two point four percent. This was due to price increase for rent, which went up by two point three percent.”

And, while the government of Belize points to successes in agriculture, construction and tourism as proof of progress; for Belizeans, the math is done at the counter and again at the pump.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“As much as I would love to bring down the price of fuel then ok, if I bring down the taxes tell me where will we get the money to do all these things that we are doing. You answer that and I will be happy to do that. Answer me the question, if you could find me, because aside from GST, the taxes we charge on fuel is one of the major revenue earners. So, if we cut it, reduce it by half, that is about sixty million dollars of revenue. If you could find me that sixty million dollars I will be happy to do it today.”

 

And it’s not only the cost of food items and fuel, the cost of food and beverages at restaurants have also increased over the past year.

 

Jaime Crespo

“Lets look at the restaurant and accommodation services, with prices increasing by two point three percent, this increase was mainly due to the result of higher food and beverage serving services which went up by two-point six percent. With the cost of food, housing and utility continuously rising, the debate over the true state of the cost of living in Belize is anything but over.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez