Country Profile: Saint Barthelemy

Saint Barthelemy, an overseas collectivity of France, is a small Caribbean island located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Settled by the French in the 17th century, its history includes a brief period under Swedish control, making it a unique cultural blend today. With a population of approximately 7,079, the island thrives on a high-income economy largely driven by luxury commerce and tourism, as well as significant agricultural reliance on imports. Governance is established as a parliamentary democracy, allowing local autonomy while remaining linked to France.

Geography

Saint Barthelemy is situated in the Leeward Islands, east of the US Virgin Islands, and covers an area of 25 square kilometers. The island is characterized by hilly terrain and a tropical climate that features both dry and humid seasons. It is surrounded by shallow-water reefs, making it an attractive destination for tourists.

25 sq km total land area
286 m highest point: Morne du Vitet
0 km land boundaries
8.5% forest cover (2022)
Home to a 1,200-hectare marine nature reserve

People and Society

As of 2025, the population is estimated to be around 7,079, with a median age of 47.7 years. The majority of residents are of French, Portuguese, Caribbean, and Afro-Caribbean descent, with French and English being the primary languages spoken. The island has a low birth rate of 9.32 births per 1,000 people and a life expectancy of 81 years.

13.9% of the population is aged 0-14 years
63.1% are between 15-64 years
23% are 65 years and over
100% access to improved drinking water (2022)
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (infant mortality rate, 2025)

Economy

Saint Barthelemy boasts a high-income economy primarily focused on duty-free luxury commerce and tourism, making it largely dependent on imports for food, water, and energy. The island's exports include refined copper and jewelry, while imports feature precious metal watches and automobiles.

57% of exports go to Spain (2023)
100% electrification rate (2021)
24% of exports reach Switzerland (2023)
Importing 50% from Switzerland (2023)

Government

The governance structure of Saint Barthelemy is a parliamentary democracy under the framework of a French overseas collectivity. The capital is Gustavia, and the island maintains its own Territorial Council to manage local affairs while the French president oversees broader governance.

Capital: Gustavia
Voting age: 18 years, universal suffrage
19 members in the Territorial Council
The most recent election took place on 27 March 2022
National holiday: Fête de la Fédération on 14 July

Military and Security

Saint Barthelemy does not maintain its own military forces; defense responsibilities are managed by France, ensuring security and protection for the island's residents.

Energy

Saint Barthelemy achieves full electricity access for its population, indicating a robust energy infrastructure that supports its tourism and residential demands.

Environment

The island grapples with several environmental issues, including land-based pollution, urbanization, and limited freshwater resources. The tropical climate contributes to its biodiversity but also poses challenges due to potential overfishing and environmental fragility.

Transportation

Saint Barthelemy has one airport serving its transportation needs, facilitating access to and from the island for tourists and residents alike.

Communications

The island's communication infrastructure includes local broadcasting options and a significant percentage of internet penetration, with 71.3% of the population using the internet as of 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	7,079	Estimated for 2025
Area	25 sq km	Total land area
Life Expectancy	81 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	9.32 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Infant Mortality Rate	6.3 deaths/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment Rate	Not specified	Data not provided
Electricity Access	100%	Total population with access (2021)
Forest Coverage	8.5%	Estimated for 2022
Dependency Ratio	60.1	Total dependency ratio (2025)
Internet Users	71.3%	Percent of population using internet (2022)