Country Profile: Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a picturesque island nation located in the Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. With a population estimated at 168,038 in 2024, its society is predominantly of African descent, with English as the official language. The economy is primarily tourism-based, supplemented by agriculture, particularly banana production, and is classified as upper middle-income. Governance is maintained under a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth realm, reflecting its historical ties to the UK.

Geography

Saint Lucia covers an area of 616 square kilometers and is characterized by its volcanic mountainous terrain, with Mount Gimie being the highest point at 948 meters. The island boasts a tropical climate, influenced by northeast trade winds, resulting in dry and rainy seasons. Its coastline measures 158 kilometers, with no land boundaries, making it a true island nation.

Area: 616 sq km
Coastline: 158 km
Highest Point: Mount Gimie (948 m)
Climate: Tropical, with a dry season from January to April
Natural Resources: Forests, sandy beaches, minerals, geothermal potential
Population Distribution: Concentrated in the northern region around the capital, Castries

People and Society

Saint Lucia has an estimated population of 168,038 in 2024, with a majority identifying as Black or of African descent. The country has a rich cultural tapestry, with English and Saint Lucian Creole as the predominant languages, and a majority of its citizens practicing Roman Catholicism. The age structure indicates a median age of 39.7 years, with a youth dependency ratio of 26.9%.

Population Growth Rate: 0.26% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy: 79.4 years (2024 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 11.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Urban Population: 19.2% of total population (2023)
Total Fertility Rate: 1.71 children per woman (2024 est.)
Obesity Rate: 19.7% among adults (2016)

Economy

Saint Lucia's economy is classified as an upper middle-income economy that relies heavily on tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of GDP. The island also produces bananas and other tropical commodities. In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is projected at $4.359 billion, with a growth rate of 3.9%. The unemployment rate is noted at 11%.

GDP (official exchange rate): $2.549 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per Capita: $24,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 11% (2024 est.)
Exports: $1.6 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $1.446 billion (2024 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line: 25% (2015 est.)

Government

Saint Lucia operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the King of the United Kingdom as the head of state, represented locally by a governor-general. The Prime Minister, currently Philip J. Pierre, heads the government. The political landscape is characterized by a multi-party system, with legislative powers held by a bicameral parliament.

Independence: February 22, 1979 (from the UK)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Legislature: Bicameral, consisting of the House of Assembly and Senate
Current Prime Minister: Philip J. Pierre (since July 28, 2021)

Military and Security

Saint Lucia does not maintain any regular military forces. Instead, security is provided by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and participation in regional security agreements, such as the Caribbean Regional Security System. The island relies on international cooperation for defense and security matters.

Military: No regular military forces
Security Forces: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force
Member of the Caribbean Regional Security System: Since 1982

Energy

The country is heavily dependent on imported energy, with electricity access reported at 100%. The majority of energy generation comes from fossil fuels, accounting for 98% of the installed capacity. In 2023, electricity consumption totaled approximately 365.178 million kWh.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 93,000 kW (2023 est.)
Petroleum Consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption per Capita: 47.522 million Btu (2023 est.)

Environment

Saint Lucia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and soil erosion, particularly in the northern regions. The country is committed to several international environmental agreements focusing on biodiversity and climate change.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 605,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Annually: 77,600 tons (2024 est.)
Percentage of Waste Recycled: 13.3% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Saint Lucia's transportation infrastructure includes an airport and several ports. The main ports are located in Castries, Grand Cul de Sac Bay, and Vieux Fort, facilitating both passenger and cargo traffic.

Number of Airports: 2 (2025)
Total Ports: 3 (2024)

Communications

Telecommunications in Saint Lucia are well-developed, with a high penetration rate of mobile subscriptions. An estimated 74% of the population used the internet in 2022, supported by a mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasting services.

Internet Users: 74% of the population (2022 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 176,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 31,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	168,038	Estimated for 2024
Area	616 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$4.359 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	365.178 million kWh	Consumption in 2023
Birth Rate	11.4 births/1,000 people	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	11%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	79.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Total Fertility Rate	1.71 children/woman	Estimated for 2024
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	605,000 metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023
Municipal Solid Waste Generated	77,600 tons	Estimated for 2024