IMF Staff Country Reports

Belize: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; Informational Annex; Statement by the Executive Director for Belize

September 19, 2017

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International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept. "Belize: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; Informational Annex; Statement by the Executive Director for Belize", IMF Staff Country Reports 2017, 286 (2017), accessed 12/28/2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484320044.002

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Summary

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that adverse developments negatively impacted the Belizean economy in 2016, with strong expansion of tourism the only bright spot. Output is estimated to have contracted by 0.8 percent in 2016, reflecting a continued slowdown in oil production and agriculture. Fish and citrus production were hit by diseases. Growth in tourism was facilitated by improved airlift, marketing and new foreign direct investment projects. Unemployment increased to 11.1 percent in September 2016, from 10.2 percent a year earlier. Growth is projected at just under 2 percent over the medium term.

Subject: Banking, Economic sectors, Expenditure, Fiscal consolidation, Fiscal policy, Fiscal stance, Loans, Public debt, Public sector, Revenue administration

Keywords: agreement, bank balance balance sheet, Belize, Belize authorities, Belize's authorities, Belize's economy, Caribbean, cash flow, CBR problem, CR, debt service, envisaged tightening, Fiscal stance, Global, ISCR, loan portfolio, long-term growth potential, macroeconomic outlook, natural resource, Public sector, rate, screening solution