Belize · Americas
How many people die in Belize every day?
In Belize, about 6 people die every day, roughly one death every 4 hours. That is about 2,300 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 170th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 74.6 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
6
Deaths per year
2,300
Life expectancy
74.6 years
Population
410,825
Death rate
5.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Belize
74.6
World avg
72.8
+1.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Belize
5.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Belize by time period
| Per hour | 0.3 |
| Per day | 6.3 |
| Per week | 44 |
| Per month | 192 |
| Per year | 2,300 |
What people die of in Belize
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Belize in 2023 was diabetes, which accounted for 10.9% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and kidney diseases.
Deaths from diabetes have more than doubled since 2000, from about 86 to 255 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diabetes | 255 | under 1 | 10.9% | +197% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 246 | under 1 | 10.5% | +56% |
| 3 | Kidney diseases | 196 | under 1 | 8.4% | n/a |
| 4 | Stroke | 162 | under 1 | 6.9% | +37% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 139 | under 1 | 6% | +56% |
| 6 | Homicide (interpersonal violence) | 135 | under 1 | 5.8% | +114% |
| 7 | HIV/AIDS | 117 | under 1 | 5% | +70% |
| 8 | Hypertensive heart disease | 86 | under 1 | 3.7% | n/a |
| 9 | COPD | 75 | under 1 | 3.2% | n/a |
| 10 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 60 | under 1 | 2.6% | n/a |
Deaths in Belize since 2000
WHO estimates that about 2,337 people died in Belize in 2023, 87% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 1,248 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,516 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,947 deaths |
| 2023 | 2,337 deaths |
Life expectancy in Belize since 1950
A baby born in Belize in 1950 could expect to live about 49.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 73.6, a gain of 24.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 49.2 years |
| 1980 | 66.9 years |
| 2000 | 68.9 years |
| 2010 | 70.9 years |
| 2019 | 72.6 years |
| 2023 | 73.6 years |
Belize compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Belize ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belize | 6 | 74.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 33 | 73.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Jamaica | 55 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uruguay | 90 | 77.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Panama | 60 | 78.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Costa Rica | 71 | 80.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Belize every day?
In Belize, about 6 people die every day, or roughly one death every 4 hours. That adds up to about 2,300 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Belize?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Belize. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put diabetes first in 2023, with 10.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Belize?
Life expectancy at birth in Belize is 74.6 years, 1.8 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 83rd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Belize high?
Belize records about 5.6 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.