Belize

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Belize is a small state of the Commonwealth with a population of about 405,000. It is the only Commonwealth state that lies within Central America. Much of the country’s natural environment is unspoilt, and there is a strong emphasis on environmental education (World Bank, 2022).

COL’s work in Belize is primarily in the areas of higher education through the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) network, open schooling, skills for work, gender and technology-enabled learning. Learners from Belize are also participating in COL’s free online courses and benefitting from other openly available resources.

Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-64 years old¹
14.7%		13.2%
Female (2019)		Male (2019)

Completion rate, lower secondary education for the school year ending in 2020¹
47.1%		33%
Female		Male

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for the school year ending in 2021¹
29.1%		17.4%
Female		Male

Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications in secondary education¹
73.9%		65.6%
Female (2021)		Male (2021)

1. UNESCO Institute for Statistics Data Centre, retrieved in May 2023

Highlights

Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology used AptusPi to increase access to education in 15 schools.
Teachers in Belize trained on digital education through the Commonwealth Digital Education Leadership Training in Action.
200 boys received life skills training for employability.

Partners

Partnerships are fundamental to COL’s work. Strategic partnerships allow COL to broaden its reach and engage at global, regional and national levels, while implementation partners support COL’s work in communities and institutions across Commonwealth Member States. Partners include multilateral organisations, regional bodies, national governments, government agencies, foundations, civil society organisations, public and private (not-for-profit) institutions and the private sector. COL partnerships assist in improving and extending teaching and learning services to people in the developing Commonwealth.

COL’s partners in Belize include:

Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport (MYST)
University of Belize

Key Contacts

Focal Point

Dr Yvonne Palma
Director
Tertiary and Post Secondary Education Services
Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology

Notable Mention

Professor Clement Sankat, COL Honorary Fellow and former member of COL Board of Governors

Literacy rate (2023)¹
n/a		n/a
Female, Adult (15+)		Male, Adult (15+)

Economic Activity – Labour Forces Participation (2017)¹
59.4%		84.5%
Female, Ages 15-64		Male, Ages 15-64

Political Decision Making (2020)¹
23.9%
Share of seats held by women in national parliament

Life expectancy (2023)¹
77.8		71.4
Female		Male

1. COL gender country profile October 2023

62	66
Individuals using the internet (%)¹	Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹

9	44
Fixed-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹	Active mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹




1. International Telecommunication Union (ITU), retrieved in May 2023.

Belize

Highlights

Partners

Key Contacts

Focal Point

Notable Mention

More Information

News

Reports

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Country Data Sources