Country Profile: Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation located in the Caribbean, is renowned for its rich culture and diverse population. The country boasts a tropical climate and is predominantly flat, with its highest point being El Cerro del Aripo at 940 meters. With an estimated population of 1.41 million, its economy is heavily reliant on petroleum and natural gas, contributing significantly to its high-income status in the Caribbean. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Trinidad and Tobago has made strides in democracy, though it faces societal challenges including crime.

Geography

Trinidad and Tobago is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. It encompasses an area of 5,128 square kilometers, primarily characterized by plains, low mountains, and a coastline of 362 kilometers. The terrain includes notable features such as Pitch Lake, the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt.

5,128 sq km - Total land area
362 km - Coastline length
940 m - Highest elevation at El Cerro del Aripo
0 km - Land borders
10.5% - Percentage of agricultural land (2023)
44.2% - Percentage of forested area (2023)

People and Society

Trinidad and Tobago's population is approximately 1.41 million, with a mix of ethnicities predominantly of East Indian and African descent. The country has a median age of 39.1 years and experiences a low population growth rate of only 0.08%. English is the official language, complemented by various Creole dialects, reflecting the country's cultural diversity.

1,410,170 - Estimated population (2025)
53.4% - Urban population rate (2023)
76.5 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024)
10.33 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2025)
4.6% - Unemployment rate (2024)
93.8% - Female literacy rate (2022)

Economy

Trinidad and Tobago has a high-income economy largely driven by hydrocarbon exports, supported by sectors such as tourism and finance. However, the nation faces challenges, including high inflation and public debt. The services sector constitutes nearly 60% of the economy, while the oil and gas industry is paramount.

$43.362 billion - Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.)
1.7% - Projected real GDP growth rate (2024)
$31,700 - Real GDP per capita (2024 est.)
4.6% - Unemployment rate (2024)
$11.087 billion - Total exports (2024 est.)
$10.19 billion - Total imports (2024 est.)
0.8% - Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Trinidad and Tobago operates as a parliamentary republic with a bicameral legislature known as Parliament. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country has a robust legal system based on English common law, and citizenship can be acquired by birth or descent.

18 years - Universal suffrage
9 - Administrative divisions
42 - Seats in the House of Representatives
31 - Seats in the Senate
0.9% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
March 2023 - Christine Kangaloo became president

Military and Security

The Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) encompasses the army, coast guard, and air guard, focusing on national security, border control, and civil assistance. Military spending is relatively low, accounting for 0.9% of GDP, but the country faces significant challenges from organized crime and drug trafficking.

5,000 - Estimated personnel in the Defense Forces (2025)
0.9% - Military spending as a percentage of GDP (2024)
99.9% - Electricity access for the population (2022 est.)
18-24 years - Age range for voluntary military service
Tren de Aragua - Notable terrorist group operating in the region

Energy

Trinidad and Tobago is heavily dependent on hydrocarbon resources, particularly natural gas and petroleum. The country's electricity generation is predominantly from fossil fuels, with nearly all of its generating capacity sourced this way.

2.139 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023)
72,000 bbl/day - Total petroleum production (2023)
25.994 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023)
100% - Electrification rate (2022)
99.9% - Percentage of electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023)

Environment

Trinidad and Tobago faces environmental challenges, including water pollution and deforestation. The country is committed to various international environmental agreements aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing climate change impacts.

33.629 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
727,900 tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
16.2% - Municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
44.2% - Percentage of forested land (2023 est.)
3.84 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)

Transportation

The transport infrastructure includes a network of ports and airports that cater to maritime and air traffic, crucial for trade and tourism. The country has a total of three airports and a merchant marine fleet.

3 - Airports (2025)
102 - Total merchant marine vessels (2023)
10 - Total ports (2024)
21% - Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for fixed line telephones (2023)

Communications

Trinidad and Tobago has a relatively high level of internet accessibility, with a significant percentage of the population using the internet. The country has a range of broadcasting media and telecommunication services.

85% - Internet users as a percentage of the population (2023 est.)
1.79 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
404,000 - Broadband fixed subscriptions (2023 est.)
311,000 - Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,410,170	Estimate for 2025
Area	5,128 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$43.362 billion (PPP)	Estimate for 2024
Energy Consumption	9.001 billion kWh	Electricity consumption (2023)
Birth Rate	10.33 births/1,000	Estimate for 2025
Unemployment Rate	4.6%	Estimate for 2024
Life Expectancy	76.5 years	Estimate for 2024
Literacy Rate	93.8%	Female literacy rate (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures	0.9% of GDP	Estimate for 2024
Total Fertility Rate	1.63 children born/woman	Estimate for 2025