Belize and Dominica
Belize and Dominica belong to a Caribbean group introducing expanded free movement from October 2025. The scheme connects residence, work and basic services across four countries and goes beyond the skills certificate regime still applied in other CARICOM states.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08Bilateral context
Dominica announced entry alongside Belize, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines into free movement from 1 October 2025.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, goods trade between Belize and Dominica totalled 1.5 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Dominica to Belize, at 0.0367 million USD in 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 1.47 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Belize to Dominica | 1.38 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Dominica to Belize | 0.0854 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Belize to Dominica | ||
| Export share: Dominica to Belize | ||
| Investment stock: Belize in Dominica | ||
| Investment stock: Dominica in Belize |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BLZ. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
- Goods: Belize to Dominica
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BLZ. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
- Goods: Dominica to Belize
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BLZ. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Belize | Dominica |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 3.33 billion USD2025 · WB | 723,859,259.26 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 7,865.48 USD2025 · WB | 10,989.04 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 2.75 %2025 · WB | 3.05 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 1.06 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 2.53 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 8.86 %ILO est.2025 · WB | |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -1.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 67.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 102.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -2.77 %2025 · WB | -37.99 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 422,9242025 · WB | 65,8712025 · WB |
| Area | 22,966 km²2023 · WB | 750 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDBelize: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personBelize: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Belize: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Belize: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionBelize: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Belize: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Dominica: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Belize: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Dominica: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPBelize: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleBelize: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceBelize: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Dominica: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Belize to Dominica
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Dominica to Belize
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.0367 M USD2024 · Source |
Connections between people
The Barbados Accreditation Council explained that their nationals can enter, reside, work, study and stay without skills certificates or work or residence permits. The scheme includes public primary and secondary education and primary and emergency healthcare within the receiving state's means. [1] [2]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Belize living in Dominica | ||
| Residents from Dominica living in Belize | ||
| Study and training: Belize in Dominica | ||
| Study and training: Dominica in Belize | ||
| Academic stays: Belize in Dominica | ||
| Academic stays: Dominica in Belize | ||
| Travel: Belize to Dominica | ||
| Travel: Dominica to Belize |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Belize is 3.3 billion USD (2025), compared with 0.724 for Dominica (2025). The reference populations are 0.423 and 0.0659 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Belize was 4.6 times that of Dominica in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Bilateral context
Dominica announced entry alongside Belize, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines into free movement from 1 October 2025. The Barbados Accreditation Council explained that their nationals can enter, reside, work, study and stay without skills certificates or work or residence permits. [1] [2]
Cooperation and bilateral issues
The scheme includes public primary and secondary education and primary and emergency healthcare within the receiving state's means. This is an enhanced cooperation initiative under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, not a measure adopted by all CARICOM members. The remaining Caribbean single-market participants retain the skills certificate pathway. Dominican authorities stated that regional control and security mechanisms would continue. [1] [2]
Scope of mobility
The Barbados Accreditation Council specified the four participating states and service access within the receiving country's capacities. Existing certificates remain valid for other CSME states continuing to use that system. [2]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, merchandise trade between the two countries (Belize and Dominica) totalled 1.5 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 1.4 million; those in the opposite direction, 0.0854 million. The difference between the two flows was 1.3 million, in favour of Belize. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Dominica to Belize, at 0.0367 million USD in 2024. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — BLZ-DMA
pressroomopm.gov.dm · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bilateral relations — BLZ-DMA
bac.gov.bb · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- UN Comtrade annual data; reused verified primary payload, not re-downloaded
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.