Belize’s Consumer Confidence Slips in February

Belizeans felt slightly less confident about the economy in February, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) dipped 1%, moving from 48.3 in January to 47.8 in February. Because the index remained below the 50-point mark that signals optimism, overall sentiment continued to lean slightly pessimistic during the month.

The decline was not driven by worsening views about the year ahead. In fact, expectations for the next twelve months improved marginally. Instead, the main drag came from how consumers felt about making major purchases such as homes, vehicles, furniture, and appliances. Confidence in buying these durable goods fell noticeably, suggesting many households grew more cautious about big spending decisions.

Across the districts, the results were mixed. Toledo recorded the sharpest decline in confidence, largely due to a steep drop in sentiment about major purchases. By contrast, Stann Creek posted the strongest improvement, with residents reporting lower levels of pessimism compared to January. Urban consumers became slightly more confident overall, while rural residents reported a decline in sentiment.

Differences also emerged among demographic groups. Men reported a small decrease in confidence, while women recorded a slight increase overall. Young adults between the ages of 25 and 34 stood out as the most upbeat group, moving into optimistic territory in February. Meanwhile, those aged 35 to 44 experienced the largest drop in sentiment during the month.

The CCI measures consumers’ perceptions of current economic conditions, expectations for the next 12 months, and whether it is a good time to make major purchases such as homes, vehicles, furniture, and appliances.