By Belize Live News Staff: Every time you hear a number about Belize, unemployment, inflation, crime, tourism arrivals, it came from somewhere. A new law aims to govern how all of that gets produced and shared.
The Statistical Institute of Belize brought data producing agencies together in Belize City on Tuesday to walk through the draft National Data and Statistical Systems Act, 2026.
The gap it fills is real. The SIB operates under its own Act, but nothing comprehensive currently governs the wider National Statistical System, meaning the agencies collecting data across government work without a unified legal framework.
The draft Act sets out roles for each agency and includes provisions on the production, sharing, protection and use of data.
That last point matters. Data protection is only becoming more important as more government information moves online.
The United Nations Development Program provided technical support through the KOICA funded Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System project.
Agencies raised questions and made recommendations that will feed into the final draft.
More at www.sib.org.bz.
Do you trust the numbers you see about Belize?
