Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Analysis in the Education and Health Sectors

UNICEF, in collaboration with partners, organized a validation workshop to discuss the findings of an Out-of-Pocket Expenditure analysis in health and education. Despite being free, accessing social services in Belize often comes with hidden costs for families, impacting children's access to quality services, especially the most vulnerable.

The study found that households spend an average of $360 BZD on health and $1447 BZD on education per child annually, with significant variations across districts and locations. Medicine and consultations are the most common health expenses, while childbirth is the highest expense on average, followed by accommodation for out-of-district medical care. For education, costs are particularly high for secondary school children, averaging $2630 BZD per annum due to registration, transportation, supplies, uniforms, and books.

Understanding these expenses help policymakers design better policies and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring no child is left behind.