Saint Kitts and Nevis

Country Summary

Introduction

Background

Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. At one time united with Anguilla, the islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis but remain a UK Commonwealth realm.

Geography

Area

total: 261 sq km
land: 261 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate

tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Natural resources

arable land

People and Society

Population

54,817 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Religions

Protestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.59% (2023 est.)

Government

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name: Basseterre

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey HANLEY (since 13 August 2022)

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms)

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, tourism-based Caribbean OECS economy; better debt balancing; CARICOM and ECCU member; growing offshore financial and telecommunications hub; environmentally fragile; unique citizenship-driven growth model

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.261 billion (2021 est.)
$1.272 billion (2020 est.)
$1.488 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$26,500 (2021 est.)
$26,700 (2020 est.)
$31,200 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products

coconuts, tropical fruit, roots/tubers, vegetables, sweet potatoes, pulses, watermelons, carrots/turnips, eggs, tomatoes

Industries

tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Remittances

4.32% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.57% of GDP (2020 est.)
3.82% of GDP (2019 est.)

Exports

$408.471 million (2021 est.)
$383.152 million (2020 est.)
$598.343 million (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

United States 56%, Italy 19%, Canada 4%, Germany 3%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3% (2021)

Exports - commodities

broadcasting equipment, recreational boats, electrical plugs and sockets, measuring instruments, electrical transformers (2021)

Imports

$441.192 million (2021 est.)
$432.584 million (2020 est.)
$602.385 million (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

United States 50%, Trinidad and Tobago 10%, China 5%, Jamaica 4%, Germany 4% (2021)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, cars, poultry, valves, jewelry (2021)

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)
2.7 (2019 est.)
2.7 (2018 est.)
2.7 (2017 est.)


Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023