Religion in Belize

Religion in Belize (2010 census)^[1]

Catholic (40.1%)

Pentecostal (8.4%)

Seventh-day Adventist (5.4%)

Anglican (4.7%)

Mennonite (3.7%)

Baptist (3.6%)

Methodist (2.9%)

Nazarene (2.8%)

Jehovah's Witness (1.7%)

No religion (15.5%)

Other religions (11.2%)

Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize.^[1] The single largest denomination is the Catholic Church with about 40.1% of the population (129,456 adherents), a reduction from 49.6% of the population in 2000, 57.7% in 1991 and 61.9% in 1980, although absolute numbers have still risen.^[1]^[2] Other major groups include Pentecostal with 8.4% of the population up from 7.4% in 2000 and 6.3% in 1991, Seventh-day Adventists with 5.4% of the population up from 5.2% in 2000 and 4.1% in 1991. The following of the Anglican Church has been steadily declining, with only 4.7% of the population in 2010 compared to 6.95% in 1991.^[1]^[2] About 12,000 Mennonites (3.7% of the population)^[1] live mostly in the rural districts of Cayo and Orange Walk. People who declared they belong to no religion make up 15.5% of the population (just under 50,000 people) in 2010, more than double their 2000 census numbers.^[1] 11.2% adhere to other religions which include the Maya religion, Afro-Caribbean religions (Garifuna religion, Obeah and Myalism), Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Baháʼís, Rastafarians and others.

There were 1,333 Mormons in 2010^[1] though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims 4,807 members as of 2015 (in 11 congregations).^[3]

The 2010 census also found 216 followers of the Baháʼí Faith (down slightly from the 2000 census, which counted 219). It also found small numbers of Buddhists (820 or 0.3% of the population), Hindus (about 650), and Muslims (about 620).^[1] However, the Association of Religion Data Archives states that as of 2005, 2.5% of the population identifies as Baháʼí, 2.0% identifies as Hindu, 1.1% identifies as Jewish, 1.0% identifies as spiritists, 0.6% identifies as followers of indigenous religions, 0.5% identifies as Muslim, and 0.5% identifies as Buddhist.^[4] They estimate there were 7,776 Baháʼís in Belize in that year, as well as the highest proportion of Baháʼís in any country (though not nearly the highest absolute number).^[5] The 2010 Belize Population Census, however, recorded only 202 Baháʼís out of a total population of 304,106,^[6]^[7] yielding a proportion of 0.066%, far less than 2.5%. .

Belizean Catholic churches belong to the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan; Anglican churches belong to the Diocese of Belize, part of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. Catholics frequently visit the country for special gospel revivals. The Greek Orthodox Church has a presence in Santa Elena.^[8] Muslims have been in Belize since the 18th century. Activism of the 1960s saw many converts to Islam. It is also common among Middle Eastern immigrants and has gained a following among some Kriols. Mosques continue to be built in major cities. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Belize City built Masjid Noor Mosque at the beginning of 2020. It remains one of the fastest growing sect of Islam in Belize. ^[9] Hinduism is followed by most Indian immigrants.

Religious freedom

The Constitution of Belize establishes the freedom of religion. Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal. A law against blasphemy is unenforced. The Belize Council of Churches and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches appoint one senator to the senate of Belize with the approval of the Governor-General. The law also establishes that prisoners in jails must have their religious beliefs respected and accommodated.^[10]

Religious groups are required to register with the government in order to operate in the country. Religious groups are exempt from certain taxes. Foreign religious workers are required to purchase a religious worker's permit and register with the government.^[10]

The public school curriculum for primary schools includes nondenominational "spirituality" classes that introduce world religions, as well as ethics and morals associated with religion;^[10] in 2022 there were issues regarding children with traditional Rastafari hairstyles attending some schools. Most public schools are managed by Christian churches. A few schools are run by non-Christian religious groups.

Census results

Religion in Belize – 2010 Census, simplified
Religion			percent
Roman Catholic			40.4%
Protestant			31.8%
Jehovah's Witnesses			1.7%
Mormon			0.4%
Other religion			9.6%
No religion			15.6%
No response			0.3%

Main Religious Denominations in Belize
	Number	%	Number	%
	2000¹		2010²
Total Population	232,111		304,106
Christian	193,150	83.3	226,515	74.3
- Catholic	115,035	49.6	123,010	40.4
- Total Protestant	78,115	31.8	103,505	31.8
- Anglican	12,386	5.3	14,016	4.6
- Baptist	8,077	3.5	11,009	3.6
- Mennonite	9,497	4.1	11,658	3.8
- Methodist	8,024	3.5	8,821	2.9
- Nazarene	6,117	2.6	8,660	2.8
- Pentecostal	17,189	7.4	25,899	8.5
- Seventh-day Adventist	12,160	5.2	16,665	5.5
- Salvation Army	371	0.2	370	0.1
- Jehovah’s Witnesses	3,366	1.5	5,114	1.7
- Mormon	928	0.4	1,293	0.4
No Religious Affiliation	21,795	9.4	47,511	15.6
Other	15,799	6.8	29,324	9.6
- Buddhist	-	-	757	0.3
- Hindu	367	0.2	612	0.2
- Muslim	243	0.1	577	0.2
- Other	15,189	6.5	27,378	8.9
No response	1,367	0.6	756	0.3