Men Working More and Women Working Less, Unemployment Rate at 1.9%

Belize’s unemployment rate stood at 1.9% in September 2025, according to the latest Labour Force Survey from the Statistical Institute of Belize. That’s down slightly from 2.1% in September last year.

The survey estimates the total labour force at 181,863 people, with men making up nearly three‑fifths of that number. Participation increased a little overall, but the gender gap remained wide: Almost 70% of working-age men were in the labour force compared to only 47% of women. Many women said they were unavailable for work because of family care and domestic duties.

Participation also differed by district. Belize District had the highest number of people in the labour force, while Toledo had the lowest.

In September, 178,442 people were employed. Wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest number of jobs, followed closely by tourism. Almost half of all workers were in services and sales or in elementary jobs that involve basic manual labour.

Average monthly income for employed persons was $1,551, an increase of $21 from last year. Professionals and managers earned the most, taking home more than $2,200 per month on average. Workers also reported longer hours, averaging 42.7 hours per week compared to 39.8 hours in 2024.

Outside the labour force, 130,167 people were not working or seeking work. Women made up nearly two‑thirds of this group, with family responsibilities the most common reason. More than half had never worked before, and most relied on family members for financial support.