Saint Kitts and Nevis

Quick Facts

🇰🇳
Capital:
Basseterre
Official Language(s):
English
Currency:
Eastern Caribbean dollar ($)
Population:
53,192

Overview

Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is an island country consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. With 261 square kilometres (101 sq mi) of territory, and roughly 48,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population, as well as the world's smallest sovereign federation. The country is a Commonwealth realm, with Charles III as king and head of state.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $858,622,222.222B(2021) GDP, showing slow growth at 0.5%(2021). Developing economy with moderate income levels.

GDP Growth
0.5%(2021)
GDP PPP
$1,257,766,533.814

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 64.9%(2021) in services, 22.6%(2021) in industry, and 1.2%(2021) in agriculture. Balanced economic structure.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show N/A unemployment and 1.2%(2021) inflation. Trade profile with N/A exports and N/A imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
N/A
Inflation
1.2%(2021)
Exports/GDP
N/A
Imports/GDP
N/A

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

N/A

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

N/A

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

69.1

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

119.1

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

4.8

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents N/A of GDP, with a trade balance of N/A.

FDI Inflows
2.79%(2021)
FDI Outflows
-0.15%(2021)

Financial Security

External Debt

N/A

Foreign Reserves

$0.34B(2021)(8.8 months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
N/A
High-Tech Exports
N/A

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
4.80%(2021)
Services
64.86%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    20.7/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    4.2/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    34.2/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 46,763(2021) with -0.2%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 1.531 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    71.682 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    12.125 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (71.3%(2021)) with youth at 18.8%(2021) and elderly at 9.9%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 40.2%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    26.4%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    13.8%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 51.9%(2021) female and 48.1%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.037 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: -92(2021).

    Male Mortality
    235.148/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    110.501/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at -0.0%(2021) annually, with 69.1%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: N/A.

    Urbanization
    30.9%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    13.7 per 1,000(2021)

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 19.2%(2021) of territory, with 23.1%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: N/A.

    Food Production Index
    105.93(2021)
    Cereal Production
    N/A

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 100.0%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of 1,427 m³/capita(2021) per person. Annual precipitation: 42.308 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    N/A

    Environmental Vulnerability

    513.2%(2021) of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at N/A providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    42.308 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: N/A ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    N/A
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Refugee population: 1,475(2021)Internally displaced: 1,503(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features