Languages of Belize

Languages of Belize
Sign in English at Xunantunich, with the Mayan name translated into English
OfficialEnglish
IndigenousGarifuna, Q'eqchi', Mopan, Yucatec Maya
VernacularBelizean English, Belizean Spanish, Belizean Creole
MinorityPlautdietsch
ForeignSpanish, German
SignedAmerican Sign Language

The major languages spoken in Belize include English, Spanish and Kriol, all three spoken by more than 40% of the population. Mayan languages are also spoken in certain areas, as well as German.[1]

English is the official language and the primary language of public education, though spoken natively by a minority of people as a first language. Spanish is taught in primary and secondary schools as well. Bilingualism is very common. The percentage of literacy in Belize as of 2021 is 82.68% for those aged 15 or older.[2]

Languages spoken in Belize (2010)[3][1]
Language speakers percentage
English 183,903 62.9%
Spanish 165,296 56.6%
Belizean Creole 130,467 44.6%
Q'eqchi' Maya 17,581 6.0%
Mopan Maya 10,649 3.6%
German 9,364 3.2%
Garifuna 8,442 2.9%
Other languages 7,847 2.7%
N.A. 1,537 0.5%
Total 292,263 100%
  1. ^ a b Statistical Institute of Belize (2013). Belize Population and Housing Census 2010: Country Report (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  2. ^ "Belize Population". Countrymeters. Archived from the original on 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  3. ^ These figures are for people at least 4 years old.