Belize’s BPO sector employs 16,000, injects $150Mn in annual salaries
BELMOPAN, BELIZE — Belize’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry has injected $150 million in annual salaries and employs over 16,000 workers, Prime Minister John Briceño announced.
The sector, now one of the country’s largest private employers, is driving economic stability and providing critical opportunities for young Belizeans.
BPO industry emerges as Belize’s economic lifeline
The BPO sector has solidified its role as a cornerstone of Belize’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and foreign exchange earnings.
Prime Minister Briceño stressed that the $150 million a year in industry payroll sustains thousands of families, and the young people entering the job market especially benefit. With scant prospects for survival, the stability of the BPO industry makes it non-elective for Belize’s economic survival.
Growth in the sector has been driven by Belize’s English-speaking workforce, competitive wages, coupled with overlap with the North American time zones.
Companies provide services like customer support, data entry, and financial outsourcing, primarily for United States and Canadian clients.
As inflation strains other industries, the BPO sector’s expansion offers a buffer, ensuring steady income for a growing portion of the population.
Youth employment and career development thrive in BPO sector
The BPO industry has become a launchpad for Belize’s youth, offering not just jobs but long-term career pathways. Briceño pointed out that the sector’s over 16,000 jobs offer training, skill development, and upward mobility, which are important aspects of staving off talent hemorrhage from the country.
For a large number of young Belizeans, these roles provide entry into the formal economy, thus, lessening dependence on informal or unstable work.
Beyond salaries, BPO firms support professional advancement through tech support, financial services, managerial positions, and provide transferable skills for workers.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this trend aims to maintain the competitiveness of Belize‘s workforce. With the sector’s continued expansion, it is poised to shape the country’s labor market for years to come.
