St. Christopher and Nevis - Economic Indicators

Economic Overview

The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after...

Continue reading View Factbook for St. Christopher and Nevis

GDP Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Nominal Gross Domestic Product 2022 2,885,919,758 2,566,000,000 XCD Annual
Private Consumption 2019 1,368,500,000 1,336,400,000 XCD Annual
Investment 2019 863,500,000 818,800,000 XCD Annual
Nominal Fixed Investment (gross fixed capital formation) 2016 1,072,000,000 982,630,000 NCU Annual
Government Consumption 2014 468.72 441.21 Mil. XCD Annual
Real Gross Domestic Product 2010 100 102.77 Index 2005=100 Annual
Price Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Sep 2023 111.03 110.86 2010=100, NSA Monthly
Labor Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Wage & Salaries 2014 247,757,166 250,949,535 NCU Annual
Trade Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Imports of Goods 2022 375,048,540 255,433,149 USD Annual
Current Account Balance 2022 -105,743,687 -43,725,468 USD Annual
Exports of Goods 2022 34,945,526 29,433,963 USD Annual
Balance of Goods 2022 -340,103,014 -225,999,186 USD Annual
Exports of Goods and Services 2019 1,774,300,000 1,615,200,000 XCD Annual
Imports of Goods and Services 2019 1,665,900,000 1,568,700,000 XCD Annual
Markets Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Money Market Rate Jun 2016 6.89 6.89 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Treasury Bills (over 31 days) Jun 2013 6.75 6.75 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Lending Rate Mar 2013 6.5 6.5 % - End of period Monthly
Business Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Change in Inventories 1990 0 NCU Annual
Demographics Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Population 2017 55,345 54,821 # Annual
Death Rate 2002 10.8 7.6 # per Ths. pop. Annual
Birth Rate 2001 17.3 # per Ths. pop. Annual

Factbook

Background

Background:
Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts.

Geography

Location:
Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
17 20 N, 62 45 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)
land: 261 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 212
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
135 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain:
volcanic with mountainous interiors
Elevation:
mean elevation: NA
elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Natural resources:
arable land
Land use:
agricultural land: 23.1%
arable land 19.2%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 3.5%
forest: 42.3%
other: 34.6% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
8 sq km (2012)
Population - distribution:
population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (July to October)
volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
smallest country in the Americas and Western Hemisphere; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island

People & Society

Population:
52,715 (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Nationality:
noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)
adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian
Ethnic groups:
predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese
Languages:
English (official)
Religions:
Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.32% (male 5,378/female 5,332)
15-24 years: 14.54% (male 3,689/female 3,978)
25-54 years: 44.6% (male 12,070/female 11,441)
55-64 years: 11.9% (male 3,130/female 3,142)
65 years and over: 8.64% (male 2,107/female 2,448) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 35 years
male: 35.2 years
female: 34.8 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Population growth rate:
0.73% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Birth rate:
13.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Death rate:
7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Net migration rate:
1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Population distribution:
population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
Urbanization:
urban population: 32.3% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization: 1.42% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
BASSETERRE (capital) 14,000 (2014)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.9 years
male: 73.5 years
female: 78.4 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Total fertility rate:
1.77 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Health expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 138
Hospital bed density:
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 98.3% of population
rural: 98.3% of population
total: 98.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1.7% of population
rural: 1.7% of population
total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 87.3% of population
rural: 87.3% of population
total: 87.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 12.7% of population
rural: 12.7% of population
total: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
22.9% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 71
Education expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 105
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 16 years (2015)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis
note: Nevis is pronounced neevis
former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
etymology: Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak
Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Basseterre
geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence:
19 September 1983 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution:
several previous (preindependence); latest presented 23 June 1983, effective 19 September 1983 at independence (2016)
Legal system:
English common law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship:
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 14 years
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015
head of government: Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general
Legislative branch:
description: unicameral National Assembly (14 seats; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 16 February 2015 (next to be held by 2020)
election results: percent of vote by party - SKNLP 39.3%, PAM 27.9% CCM 13.0% NRP 10.8%, PLP 9.0%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 3, CCM 2, NRP 1, PLP 1
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders:
Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY]
Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]
People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS]
People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Flag description:
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism
National symbol(s):
brown pelican, Royal Poinciana (Flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white
National anthem:
name: "Oh Land of Beauty!"
lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES
note: adopted 1983

Economy

Economy - overview:
The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.
Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.528 billion (2017 est.)
$1.488 billion (2016 est.)
$1.443 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 199
GDP (official exchange rate):
$939 million (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2017 est.)
3.1% (2016 est.)
4.9% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$26,800 (2017 est.)
$26,600 (2016 est.)
$25,800 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 74
Gross national saving:
17.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
18.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
16.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption: 58.8%
government consumption: 20.4%
investment in fixed capital: 30.4%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 33.3%
imports of goods and services: -43% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 30%
services: 68.9% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish
Industries:
tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Labor force:
18,170 (June 1995 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Unemployment rate:
4.5% (1997 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $370.4 million
expenditures: $370.4 million (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
39.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
0% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Public debt:
65.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
70.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (2017 est.)
-0.4% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
6.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.1% (31 December 2017 est.)
9.24% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Stock of narrow money:
$230.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Stock of broad money:
$1.122 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.077 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Stock of domestic credit:
$740.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$704.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$598.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)
$623.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Current account balance:
$-120 million (2017 est.)
$-102 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Exports:
$58.4 million (2017 est.)
$53.9 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Exports - commodities:
machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco
Exports - partners:
US 49.6%, Poland 15.2%, Turkey 11.6% (2016)
Imports:
$264.4 million (2017 est.)
$244.4 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Imports - commodities:
machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
Imports - partners:
US 56.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.8%, Cyprus 6.2%, Japan 4% (2016)
Debt - external:
$198 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2017 est.)
2.7 (2016 est.)
2.7 (2015 est.)
2.7 (2014 est.)
2.7 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:
population without electricity: 5,232
electrification - total population: 91%
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)
Electricity - production:
208 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - consumption:
193.4 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
63,200 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
94.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
6.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,907 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
300,000 Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions: 17,433
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total: 76,583
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Telephone system:
general assessment: good interisland and international connections
domestic: interisland links via ECFS; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in November 2004; fixed-line teledensity about 32 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 140 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables (2016)
Broadcast media:
the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.kn
Internet users:
total: 39,000
percent of population: 75.7% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
V4 (2016)
Airports:
2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 209
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Railways:
total: 50 km
narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
Roadways:
total: 383 km
paved: 163 km
unpaved: 220 km (2002)
country comparison to the world: 202
Merchant marine:
total: 274
by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 5, general cargo 58, oil tanker 60, other 145 (2017)
country comparison to the world: 56
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown

Military & Security

Military branches:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity

Economic Indicators for St. Christopher and Nevis including actual values, historical data, and latest data updates for the St. Christopher and Nevis economy.