Country Profile: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an upper middle-income Caribbean nation known for its lush volcanic landscape and agricultural economy. With a population estimated at 100,647 in 2024, the country has a history marked by colonial struggles and a transition to independence in 1979. Its economy is largely agricultural, struggling with challenges such as volcanic eruptions and fluctuating export prices but also benefiting from tourism and services. Governed as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of several international organizations and has established policies promoting sustainable development.

Geography

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Caribbean, situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The country comprises 32 islands and cays, with the largest being Saint Vincent itself, which features a volcanic and mountainous terrain. Its total land area is 389 square kilometers, with a coastline extending 84 kilometers.

Highest Point: La Soufrière at 1,234 meters.
Climate: Tropical with a rainy season from May to November.
Natural Hazards: Frequent hurricanes and volcanic activity from La Soufrière volcano.

People and Society

The estimated population of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is 100,647 in 2024, predominantly of African descent (71.2%). The country has a rich cultural landscape, with English, Vincentian Creole English, and French patois as the main languages spoken. The religious demographic is predominantly Protestant, making up 75% of the population.

Urbanization: 54.3% of the population lives in urban areas.
Life Expectancy: Average life expectancy at birth is 77.2 years.
Education Expenditure: 6.5% of GDP allocated to education in 2023.

Economy

The economy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is primarily driven by agriculture and tourism, with an estimated GDP of $1.883 billion in 2024. The services sector accounts for approximately 66.4% of the GDP, while the agricultural sector contributes 3.5%. The country is also facing challenges such as high unemployment, projected at 18.1% for 2024.

GDP per Capita: Estimated at $18,700 in 2024.
Exports: Approximately $425.182 million in 2024.
Imports: Estimated at $641.179 million in 2024.

Government

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The capital city is Kingstown, and the current Prime Minister is Godwin Friday, who took office on November 28, 2025. The country comprises six administrative divisions known as parishes.

Independence: Gained from the UK on October 27, 1979.
Legal Framework: Based on English common law.
Voting Age: Citizens can vote starting at 18 years.

Military and Security

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does not maintain a regular military force but relies on the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force for national security. The country is part of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS), which allows collective security cooperation with neighboring nations.

Military Participation: Active member of the RSS since 1982.
Security Focus: Emphasis on national emergencies, immigration control, and maritime protection.

Energy

Electricity access is ubiquitous in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with 100% of the population having access as of 2022. The energy landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, but there is a notable portion dedicated to hydropower.

Installed Capacity: 55,000 kW as of 2023.
Energy Consumption: Total consumption reached 140.316 million kWh in 2023.
Renewable Sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 12.6% of generation capacity.

Environment

The environmental landscape of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is marked by both natural beauty and significant challenges, such as deforestation and pollution. The country's extensive commitment to international environmental agreements highlights its proactive stance on sustainability issues.

Forest Coverage: Approximately 73.2% of land is forested.
Waste Management: Only 13.3% of municipal solid waste is recycled.
Carbon Emissions: Estimated at 268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 in 2023.

Transportation

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has developed infrastructure with multiple modes of transport, including a merchant marine fleet. The country has 5 airports and one key port in Kingstown for maritime activities.

Merchant Marine: Comprises 830 vessels as of 2023.
Air Travel: Five airports support regional and international flights.
Civil Aircraft Registration: The prefix for civil aircraft is J8.

Communications

The telecommunications sector is relatively advanced, with high penetration of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet usage.

Mobile Subscriptions: Approximately 103,000 mobile subscriptions in 2023.
Internet Users: 76% of the population are internet users.
Fixed-line Telephones: Total subscriptions stand at 10,000 as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	100,647	Estimate for 2024
Area	389 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$1.883 billion	Estimate for 2024
Energy Consumption	140.316 million kWh	Total consumption for 2023
Unemployment Rate	18.1%	Estimate for 2024
Birth Rate	11.72 births/1,000	Estimate for 2025
Life Expectancy	77.2 years	Estimate for 2024