Economy
If you are planning to move to Belize, you may also be planning to work in Belize. The World Bank in 2011 ranked Belize’s over US$1.5 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) one hundred sixty-eighth out of 192 countries measured. The Legatum Institute ranked Belize sixty-sixth out of 142 countries on its Economy Sub-Index (2013).
Belize has an economy based primarily on agriculture, tourism and services. Agriculture represents 70 percent of all exports, but tourism is the country’s largest foreign exchange earner. Travel and tourism represents about one-third of the country’s GDP. Sector growth areas for 2013 will be tourism, agro-manufacturing, agriculture, construction and telecommunications. Gross exports in 2011 were $346 million and imports $832 million. Belize’s largest trading partner is the United States, representing nearly 60 percent of exports and over 31 percent of imports.
Belize remains one of the smallest consumer markets in the Central America and Caribbean regions. Its domestic market is the third smallest in the world. In order to protect certain industries, the government maintains a list of 25 categories of products that require import licenses, mostly consumer goods.
Although Belize has the second highest per capita income in Central America, a large income disparity remains between rich and poor. Nearly four out of 10 Belizeans still live in poverty. After a strong 5.3 percent 2012 GDP growth rate, the government of Belize forecasts a 3 percent growth rate in 2013. Unemployment is forecast at 10.2 percent in 2013 and inflation 2.5 percent.
Finding a Job
Unemployment in Belize remains high, reflecting most of the world’s economic struggle. Finding work in Belize, as in the U.S., will not be an easy task. The government actively enforces immigration and labor laws to protect the domestic job market. However, if you have a needed skill and the employer cannot find a qualified Belizean, you can get a Work Permit and be hired. You must be a resident of Belize for six months to qualify for a Work Permit. One advantage you will have is fluency in the native tongue: English. Tourism-related jobs provide the best opportunity to work in Belize since that industry is such an important part of Belize’s economy. An estimated one out of four jobs in Belize is tourism-related.
If you have the financial resources, the best way to approach working in Belize is to move there, establish residency and develop your expat and local contact network to uncover local jobs. Also, consider using expat online forums to connect with locals before you move to discover job opportunities.