Frequently Asked Questions

What is M1, M2?

M1 is the measurement of money in its most liquid form consisting of notes and coins in the hands of the public and demand deposits or checking accounts placed in commercial banks. 

 

M2 is the broader measure of money supply that includes not only the most liquid forms of money described above, but also funds that are less liquid and therefore not immediately accessible for spending. These funds, known as quasi-money, include savings and time deposits or certificate of deposits that are in the banking system.

Can I deposit money at the Central Bank of Belize?

The general public deposits money at the Commercial Banks and these Banks in turn deposit a portion of this with the Central Bank.

What are the security features of our notes and coins?

We are continously upgrading security features on the Belize dollar notes. Please go to our currency page to learn more.

What is Belize's GDP?

Belize’s Gross Domestic Product measures the total value of all goods and services produced by residents of the country during a specific period. Through an annual survey of establishments, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) collects the data that enables it to compile the annual GDP. A move to produce quarterly GDP estimates will require quarterly data collection.

Presently, the CSO uses two approaches, (output and expenditure), to calculate GDP. In each of these methods, one of the main concerns is to avoid double counting. Hence, in the output method, the value of the goods and services received from other producers whether at home or abroad are deducted from the output of each producer. When it uses the expenditure approach, the CSO focuses on adding up the final purchases made with respect to private and government consumption, investment and the value of net exports.

GDP is reported either in ‘nominal’ or ‘real terms’. ‘Nominal’ GDP is expressed in current prices and therefore partly reflects the impact of inflation. ‘Real’ GDP indicates that adjustments have been made to remove the impact of price increases that are due to inflation. GDP expressed in real terms is therefore valued in constant prices and has a reference to prices in a given base year.