Country exposure · TB
Saint Barthelemy
Central America N Caribbean · Gustavia · parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
What Saint Barthelemy means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
7K
Population
U.S. exposure
Minimal direct economic exposure
Saint Barthelemy is not a significant U.S. goods-trade partner and has no tracked tariff actions. Policy changes here are unlikely to reach American prices directly.
Reference
The country itself
Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
In 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named Saint Barthelemy for his brother Bartolomeo, but the island was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, France sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia after the Swedish King GUSTAV III and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2012, it became an overseas territory of the EU, allowing it to exert local control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers, including non-French European citizens. Hurricane Irma hit the island in 2017 and caused extensive damage.
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands
- Area
- 25 sq km
- Climate
- tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
- Terrain
- hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches
- Natural resources
- few natural resources; beaches foster tourism
People & society
- Population
- 7,079 (2025 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- French, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean
- Languages
- French (primary), English
- Median age
- 47.7 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 81 years (2024 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- high-income French Caribbean territorial economy; duty-free luxury commerce and tourism industries; import-dependent for food, water, energy, and manufacturing; large Brazilian and Portuguese labor supply; environmentally fragile
- Exports - partners
- Spain 57%, Switzerland 24%, France 6%, Ireland 5%, Canada 2% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- Switzerland 50%, Portugal 14%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5%, Ireland 5% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
- Capital
- Gustavia
- Independence
- none (overseas collectivity of France)
- Constitution
- 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
- Executive branch
- President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Cyrille LE VELY (since 15 January 2025)
- Legislative branch
- Territorial Council
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
In 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named Saint Barthelemy for his brother Bartolomeo, but the island was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, France sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia after the Swedish King GUSTAV III and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2012, it became an overseas territory of the EU, allowing it to exert local control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers, including non-French European citizens. Hurricane Irma hit the island in 2017 and caused extensive damage.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
For the latest travel advisories for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department's website, available through the link below. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
For the latest passport and visa requirements for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool, available through the link below. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
US Embassy/Consulate
None (overseas collectivity of France); 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/
LGBTQIA+, Women, and Special Needs Travelers
Additional travel considerations can be found on the US State Department's International Travel page. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html
Telephone Code
590
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 17; Fire: 18; Police: 17
Vaccinations
For the latest information on required or recommended vaccines, please visit the CDC's website, available through the link below. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Climate
Tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
Currency (Code)
Euros (EUR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
French (primary), English
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Souvenirs
Straw woven items, sarongs, shell necklaces, beauty products
Traditional Cuisine
Accras — salt cod fritters served in a spicy Creole sauce
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
CDC - 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, June 26, 2024
Geography
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates
17 90 N, 62 85 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area - total
25 sq km
Area - land
25 sq km
Area - water
negligible
Area - comparative
less than one-eighth the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries - total
0 km
Climate
tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
Terrain
hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches
Elevation - highest point
Morne du Vitet 286 m
Elevation - lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
few natural resources; beaches foster tourism
Land use - agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Land use - forest
8.5% (2022 est.)
Land use - other
91.5% (2022 est.)
Population distribution
most of the populace is concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island's periphery
Geography - note
a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) marine nature reserve, the Reserve Naturelle, is made up of five zones around the island that form a network to protect the island's coral reefs, seagrass, and endangered marine species
People and Society
Population - total
7,079 (2025 est.)
Population - male
3,730
Population - female
3,349
Ethnic groups
French, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean
Languages - Languages
French (primary), English
Languages - major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Age structure - 0-14 years
13.9% (male 506/female 479)
Age structure - 15-64 years
63.1% (male 2,413/female 2,057)
Age structure - 65 years and over
23% (2024 est.) (male 818/female 813)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
60.1 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
22 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
38 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
2.6 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
47.7 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
47 years
Median age - female
47.8 years
Population growth rate
-0.08% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
9.32 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the populace is concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island's periphery
Sex ratio - at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.17 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
1.01 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
1.12 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
7.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
5.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
81 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
78 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
84.2 years
Total fertility rate
1.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy
Country name - conventional short form
Saint Barthelemy
Country name - local long form
Collectivité d'outre mer de Saint-Barthélemy
Country name - local short form
Saint-Barthélemy
Country name - abbreviation
Saint-Barth (French)/ St. Barts or St. Barths (English)
Country name - etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in honor of his brother Bartolomeo in 1493
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Dependency status
overseas collectivity of France
Capital - name
Gustavia
Capital - geographic coordinates
17 53 N, 62 51 W
Capital - time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
named in honor of King GUSTAV III of Sweden, who was ruler when Sweden bought the island from France in 1784; the name was retained when the island was sold back to France in 1878
Legal system
French civil law
Constitution - history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Constitution - amendment process
amendment procedures of France's constitution apply
Citizenship
see France
Suffrage
18 years of age, universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Cyrille LE VELY (since 15 January 2025)
Executive branch - head of government
President of Territorial Council Xavier LEDEE (since 3 April 2022)
Executive branch - cabinet
Executive Council elected by the Territorial Council; there is also an advisory, economic, social, and cultural council
Executive branch - election/appointment process
French president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; president of Territorial Council indirectly elected by its members for a 5-year term
Executive branch - most recent election date
27 March 2022
Executive branch - election results
2022: Xavier LEDEE (Saint Barth United) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 13 votes for, 6 blank votes 2017: Bruno MAGRAS (Saint Barth First!) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 14 out of 19 votes
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2027
Legislative branch - legislature name
Territorial Council
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - number of seats
19 (directly elected)
Legislative branch - electoral system
mixed
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
3/27/2022
Legislative branch - parties elected and seats per party
Saint Barth Action-équilibre and Unis pour Saint Barthelemy (13); SBA (6)
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
2027
Legislative branch - note
note: 1 senator is indirectly elected to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy (shared with Saint Martin) is directly elected to the French National Assembly for a five-year term
Political parties
All for Saint Barth (Tous pour Saint-Barth) Saint Barth Action Equilibre Saint Barth First! (Saint-Barth d'Abord!) or SBA (affiliated with France's Republican party, Les Republicans) Saint Barth United (Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
none (overseas collectivity of France)
International organization participation
ACS (associate), UPU
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France)
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
National holiday - note
note 1: local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572) note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)
Flag
the flag of France is used
National symbol(s)
pelican
National anthem(s) - title
"La Marseillaise"
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National anthem(s) - history
official anthem, as a French collectivity
Economy
Economic overview
high-income French Caribbean territorial economy; duty-free luxury commerce and tourism industries; import-dependent for food, water, energy, and manufacturing; large Brazilian and Portuguese labor supply; environmentally fragile
Exports - partners
Spain 57%, Switzerland 24%, France 6%, Ireland 5%, Canada 2% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
refined copper, jewelry (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Imports - partners
Switzerland 50%, Portugal 14%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5%, Ireland 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
precious metal watches, base metal watches, jewelry, cars, garments (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2021)
Communications
Broadcast media
2 local TV broadcasters; 5 FM radio channels (2021)
Internet country code
.bl
Internet country code - note
note: .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, are also used
Internet users - percent of population
71.3% (2022 est.)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2025)
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
Environment
Environmental issues
land-based pollution; urbanization; limited freshwater resources; overfishing
Climate
tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
Land use - agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Land use - forest
8.5% (2022 est.)
Land use - other
91.5% (2022 est.)