Belizeans are increasingly cautious about their spending habits as economic uncertainty looms, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Index released by the Statistical Institute of Belize. The national confidence score for September 2025 dropped to 45.7, down from 46.8 in August, reflecting growing financial apprehension among the population. This decline signals that more households are preparing for tighter budgets in the coming months. Notably, confidence in making significant purchases, such as furniture, vehicles, or appliances, plummeted to 38.7, the lowest among all categories. The outlook for the next twelve months also weakened, with the index slipping to 54.1. The trend was widespread, with Corozal experiencing the sharpest decline, while Stann Creek residents reported a slight uptick in optimism. Rural areas were hit harder than urban centers, highlighting the uneven impact of economic pressures. Interestingly, younger Belizeans aged 18 to 24 bucked the trend, recording a significant rise in confidence to 60.0, the highest of any age group. Analysts attribute the overall decline to rising prices and persistent economic instability, which continue to weigh heavily on families across the nation.