Belizean Men Grow More Pessimistic About Money 

Belizean households remain pessimistic about their finances, and in the north the mood is sinking fast. 

The Statistical Institute of Belize’s Consumer Confidence Index slipped from 42.6 in July to 42.4 in August. A score below 50 means consumers are pessimistic, spending less and saving more.

Belizeans rated their current situation slightly worse than in July. Their outlook for the next 12 months also dipped, though at 51.6 it remains the only measure above 50.

Corozal and Orange Walk took the sharpest falls. Corozal dropped from 42.6 to 35.9 and Orange Walk from 40.6 to 33.1, the lowest reading of any district.

“The northern districts, Orange Walk and Corozal experienced notable declines in consumer confidence, indicating notable pessimism among its residents,” SIB Statistician Juan Blanco said.

Stann Creek went the other way, climbing from 38.4 to 44.5, the biggest improvement in the country. Blanco said residents there became less pessimistic about current economic conditions and their household situations.

Men and women moved in opposite directions. Confidence among men fell 7.5%, with every component declining. For males, “the CCI declined by 7.5% during the month, with male consumers reporting higher levels of pessimism,” Blanco said. Among women, confidence rose 5.5%.

Confidence fell most sharply among Belizeans aged 55 and older. Among ethnic groups, the steepest drop was among Maya respondents.

SIB’s latest figures also show household prices up 2.9% this year.

The index has not reached 50 in 13 straight months.