By Belize Live News Staff: Belize is facing significant shortages of skilled workers in several important industries, even as official unemployment figures remain historically low, according to the U.S. State Department’s 2026 Investment Climate Statement.
The report states that Belize’s unemployment rate stood at 1.9 percent in September 2025, with a labor force of 181,863 people.
However, it also notes that an estimated 35.9 percent of workers were employed informally.
Despite the low unemployment rate, employers continue to report difficulties finding qualified personnel in agriculture, construction, healthcare, tourism, information technology and business process outsourcing.
The report highlights a shortage of nurses and other medical professionals, as well as challenges finding workers with specialized technical skills.
Agriculture has also experienced significant changes in employment.
According to the assessment, agricultural employment declined from eight percent of total employment in 2024 to four percent in 2025.
The report identifies job-specific skills shortages as an obstacle to investment, particularly in industries that require trained employees to support expansion.
To address these challenges, the government secured a $7 million loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank to strengthen workforce training, employment services and job skills.
The assessment also notes that foreign businesses have complained about delays in obtaining work permits for managers and specialized personnel.
Belizean workers receive preference under existing work permit rules, requiring employers to demonstrate that they have searched for qualified local employees before seeking foreign workers.
The findings highlight a central challenge for Belize’s economy: ensuring that workers possess the skills employers need while improving access to stable, formal employment.
