Country Profile: Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a small group of islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, Canada. As an overseas collectivity of France, it is characterized by a cold, wet climate and a population of approximately 5,132 (2024 estimate). The economy largely relies on fishing, with significant support from the French government, alongside growing tourism and aquaculture sectors. The governance framework is a parliamentary democracy, with the French President serving as the head of state.

Geography

Saint Pierre and Miquelon consists of several islands, primarily Saint Pierre and Miquelon, with a total area of 242 square kilometers. The terrain is mostly barren rock, with persistent fog posing a maritime hazard. The islands have no land boundaries and feature a coastline of 120 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean.

Area: 242 sq km
Highest Point: 240 m (Morne de la Grande Montagne)
Population Distribution: Most inhabitants reside on Saint Pierre Island

People and Society

The population of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is approximately 5,132 as of 2024, with a median age of 51.2 years. French is the official language, and the majority of the population adheres to Roman Catholicism. The demographic structure shows a significant proportion of individuals aged 65 and over.

Urban Population: 90.1% (2023)
Life Expectancy: 81.8 years (2024)
Birth Rate: 6.4 births per 1,000 people (2024)

Economy

The economy of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is classified as high-income, primarily driven by fishing exports and substantial financial support from France. The region has a seasonal labor force and is increasingly investing in tourism and aquaculture.

GDP (PPP): $261.3 million (2015 estimate)
Major Export Partners: Canada (78%), Ireland (5%), France (5%) (2023)
Top Agricultural Products: Fish, vegetables, poultry

Government

Saint Pierre and Miquelon operates under a parliamentary democracy and is an overseas collectivity of France. The capital is Saint-Pierre, which hosts the Territorial Council that plays a central role in local governance.

Chief of State: President Emmanuel Macron (since May 2017)
Territorial Council President: Bernard Briand (since October 2020)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18

Military and Security

The defense of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the responsibility of France, ensuring security and protection for the islands within the framework of French sovereignty.

Energy

Energy consumption on the islands is primarily derived from fossil fuels, with the installed electricity generation capacity standing at 26,000 kW as of 2023.

Electricity Consumption: 48.714 million kWh (2023)
Refined Petroleum Consumption: 400 barrels per day (2023)

Environment

Environmental issues in Saint Pierre and Miquelon include overfishing, which impacts the local economy and ecosystem. The islands' cold and wet climate, alongside unique geographical features, informs the environmental context.

Land Use: 8.7% agricultural land (2023)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 57,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023)

Transportation

Saint Pierre and Miquelon has a modest transportation network, featuring two airports and two ports that facilitate trade and travel.

Airports: 2 (2025)
Total Ports: 2 (2024)

Communications

The communications infrastructure includes fixed-line telephone subscriptions and internet access, with a significant percentage of the population being internet users.

Internet Users: 88.7% of the population (2022)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 4,800 (2015)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,132 (2024 est.)	Total population count
Area	242 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$261.3 million	Economic output (2015 est.)
Life Expectancy	81.8 years	Average lifespan (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	6.4 births/1,000	Births per 1,000 population (2024 est.)
Urban Population	90.1%	Percentage living in urban areas (2023)
Electricity Generation	26,000 kW	Installed capacity (2023 est.)
Internet Users	88.7%	Percentage of population with internet (2022)