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Flag of Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe

Central America N Caribbean · Castries · parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

What Sao Tome and Principe means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

Map showing the location of Sao Tome and Principe

$198K

U.S. imports, 2025

-65.4%

change in one year

$13M

U.S. exports, 2025

168K

Population

$2.5B

GDP

In your house

What you buy that Sao Tome and Principe makes

America bought $198K in goods from Sao Tome and Principe in 2025 — down 65.4% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.

Agricultural machinery, equipment

$56K28.1%

Minimum value shipments

$50K25%

Bakery products

$41K20.8%

Other (movies, miscellaneous imports, and special transactions)

$20K9.9%

Iron and steel, advanced

$12K6.2%

Recorded media

$9K4.4%

Tea, spices, etc.

tea and spices

$6K2.9%

Computers

laptops, desktops, monitors

$5K2.4%

Industrial supplies, other

$1K0.3%

2026 so far (through April): $37K in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

The other direction

What America sells to Sao Tome and Principe

$13M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Drilling & oilfield equipment

$6M

Industrial machines, other

$4M

Finished metal shapes

$1M

Excavating machinery

$912K

Materials handling equipment

$534K

Minimum value shipments

$167K

Industrial engines

$143K

Meat, poultry, etc.

$121K

Telecommunications equipment

$101K

phones, routers, networking gear

Where you stand

U.S. tariff posture toward Sao Tome and Principe

No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.

Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)

10%

The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

No U.S. tariff action names Sao Tome and Principe. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.

  1. 2026-04-06

    Section 232 metals coverage expanded

    In effect

    The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.

    91 FR 18201
  2. 2026-02-24

    IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge

    In effect

    Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).

    91 FR 9437
  3. 2025-11-13

    Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs

    In effect

    Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.

    90 FR 54091
  4. 2025-06-04

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%

    In effect

    The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.

    90 FR 24199
  5. 2025-04-05

    Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect

    In effect

    Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.

    Federal Register · 2025-06063
  6. 2025-03-12

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries

    In effect

    Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.

    90 FR 9817

Reference

The country itself

Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

England and France contested Saint Lucia -- with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry -- throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, with possession changing 14 times; it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.

Regional map of Sao Tome and Principe

Geography

Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Area
616 sq km
Climate
tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Terrain
volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys
Natural resources
forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Coastline
158 km
Natural hazards
hurricanes volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava-dome remnants associated with the Soufrière volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

People & society

Population
168,462 (2025 est.)
Nationality
Saint Lucian(s)
Ethnic groups
Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Languages
English (official), Saint Lucian Creole
Religions
Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Median age
40.4 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
79.4 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Economic overview
upper middle-income, tourism-based Caribbean island economy; environmentally fragile; energy import-dependent; major banana producer; well-educated labor force; key infrastructure, IT, and communications investments
Industries
tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing
Agricultural products
coconuts, bananas, tropical fruits, fruits, root vegetables, plantains, vegetables, cassava, chicken, milk (2023)
Exports - partners
Guyana 20%, Suriname 15%, USA 11%, Barbados 8%, Dominica 7% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 59%, Guyana 8%, Brazil 7%, China 5%, UK 3% (2023)

Government

Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
Castries
Independence
22 February 1979 (from the UK)
Constitution
previous 1958, 1960 (pre-independence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979
Executive branch
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Acting Governor General Cyril Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021)
Legislative branch
Houses of Parliament

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

Introduction
Background
England and France contested Saint Lucia -- with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry -- throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, with possession changing 14 times; it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Saint Lucia. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the US citizen has possession of a return airline ticket and confirmation of an accommodation, such as a hotel reservation.
US Embassy/Consulate
US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia; US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy in Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI; BridgetownACS@state.gov; https://bb.usembassy.gov
Telephone Code
758
Local Emergency Phone
999, 911
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to April), rainy season (May to August)
Currency (Code)
East Caribbean dollars (XCD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G
Major Languages
English, French patois
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 3.4%, Rastafari 1.9%
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
Twin Pitons; Sulphur Springs Park Scenic Drive; Diamond Botanical Gardens; Soufriere Estate; Pigeon Island National Park; Rodney Bay; Tet Paul Nature Trail; Morne Fortune
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket
Cultural Practices
Expect to say hello and strike up conversations with strangers.
Tipping Guidelines
The local standard for gratuities is around 10% of the total bill for restaurant's wait staff and taxi drivers. Bellhops, room service, and housekeeping should receive at least $1 (USD) per day or when a service is rendered, unless a service charge has been assessed.
Souvenirs
Painted masks, pottery, rum, batik and silkscreened fabric, wood carvings, local honey and hot sauces
Traditional Cuisine
Green Fig (unripe banana) and saltfish
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Geography
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates
13 53 N, 60 58 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area - total
616 sq km
Area - land
606 sq km
Area - water
10 sq km
Area - comparative
3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries - total
0 km
Coastline
158 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Maritime claims - continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Terrain
volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys
Elevation - highest point
Mount Gimie 948 m
Elevation - lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use - agricultural land
16.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
53.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
30% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
30 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries
Natural hazards
hurricanes volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava-dome remnants associated with the Soufrière volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Geography - note
the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufrière, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
People and Society
Population - total
168,462 (2025 est.)
Population - male
81,678
Population - female
86,784
Nationality - noun
Saint Lucian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups
Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Languages
English (official), Saint Lucian Creole
Religions
Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
17.9% (male 15,505/female 14,607)
Age structure - 15-64 years
66.7% (male 54,260/female 57,747)
Age structure - 65 years and over
15.4% (2024 est.) (male 11,752/female 14,167)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
50.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
26.6 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
24.3 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
4.1 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
40.4 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
38.4 years
Median age - female
40.9 years
Population growth rate
0.25% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
11.17 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries
Urbanization - urban population
19.2% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.94 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.83 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
44 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
10.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
12.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
79.4 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
76.7 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
82.3 years
Total fertility rate
1.71 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 96.9% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 3.1% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
4.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 92.9% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 7.1% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.7% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
9.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
3.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
5.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
13.1% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
24.1% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
2.6% (2025 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
12.7% national budget (2025 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
13 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
12 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
13 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
none
Country name - conventional short form
Saint Lucia
Country name - etymology
believed to be named after Saint LUCY (Sainte ALOUSIE) of Syracuse by French sailors who were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December 1502, the saint's feast day
Country name - note
note: pronounced saynt-LOO-shuh
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital - name
Castries
Capital - geographic coordinates
14 00 N, 61 00 W
Capital - time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
in 1785, the village of Carenage was renamed Castries, after Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de CASTRIES, who was then the French Minister of the Navy and Colonies
Administrative divisions
10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufrière, Vieux-Fort
Legal system
English common law
Constitution - history
previous 1958, 1960 (pre-independence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Assembly membership in the final reading and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to various constitutional sections, such as those on fundamental rights and freedoms, government finances, the judiciary, and procedures for amending the constitution, require at least three-quarters majority vote by the House and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments approved by the House but rejected by the Senate require a majority of votes cast in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
yes
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
8 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Acting Governor General Cyril Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Philip J. PIERRE (since 28 July 2021)
Executive branch - cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Executive branch - election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general
Legislative branch - legislature name
Houses of Parliament
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
House of Assembly
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
18 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
plurality/majority
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
7/26/2021
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) (13); United Workers Party (UWP) (2); Independents (2)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
10.5%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
December 2025
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Senate
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
11 (all appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
8/17/2021
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
54.5%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
December 2025
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; 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
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
magistrate's court
Political parties
Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP United Workers Party or UWP
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 2022)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 364-6792
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 364-6723
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
22 February 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Flag
description: cerulean blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border meaning: blue stands for the sky and sea, gold for sunshine and prosperity, and white and black for the ethnic composition of the island; the triangles represent Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the cone-shaped volcanic plugs that are a symbol of the island
National symbol(s)
twin pitons (volcanic peaks), Saint Lucia parrot
National color(s)
cerulean blue, gold, black, white
National anthem(s) - title
"God Save the King"
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
unknown
National anthem(s) - history
in use since 1745
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Pitons Management Area
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income, tourism-based Caribbean island economy; environmentally fragile; energy import-dependent; major banana producer; well-educated labor force; key infrastructure, IT, and communications investments
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$4.359 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$4.196 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$4.105 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
20.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$24,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$23,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$23,000 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.549 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.4% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
1.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
9.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
75.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
66.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
11.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
16.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
62.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-56.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, bananas, tropical fruits, fruits, root vegetables, plantains, vegetables, cassava, chicken, milk (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate
5.6% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
102,400 (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
11% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
11.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
16% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
29% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
31.4% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
26.3% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
25% (2015 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
51.2 (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.1% (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
34.1% (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
2.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$414.77 million (2017 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$351.956 million (2017 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2016
69.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$64.121 million (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$38.069 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$83.442 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$1.6 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$1.419 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$1.29 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Guyana 20%, Suriname 15%, USA 11%, Barbados 8%, Dominica 7% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, gravel and crushed stone, beer, liquor, paper containers (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$1.446 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$1.292 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$1.2 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
USA 59%, Guyana 8%, Brazil 7%, China 5%, UK 3% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, poultry, plastic products (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$406.064 million (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$424.324 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$389.083 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$901.317 million (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
2.7 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
2.7 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
2.7 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
2.7 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
2.7 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
93,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
365.178 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
31.038 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
98% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
47.522 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
31,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
17 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
176,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
99 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; mix of state-owned and privately owned radio broadcasters with about 25 stations, including repeater transmission stations (2019)
Internet country code
.lc
Internet users - percent of population
74% (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
24,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
14 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
J6
Airports
2 (2025)
Ports - total ports
3 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
2
Ports - very small
1
Ports - ports with oil terminals
2
Ports - key ports
Castries, Grand Cul de Sac Bay, Vieux Fort
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice, and National Security: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) (2025)
Military - note
Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
5 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons - tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Saint Lucia was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/saint-lucia/
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Land use - agricultural land
16.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
53.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
30% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
19.2% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
8.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
77,600 tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
13.3% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
12.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
0 cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
30.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)