Saint Kitts and Nevis

Code: SC | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. During the 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for British and French expansion into the Caribbean. The French ceded the territory to the UK in 1713. At the turn of the 18th century, Saint Kitts was the richest British Crown Colony per capita in the Caribbean, a result of the sugar trade. Although small in size and separated by only 3 km (2 mi) of water, Saint Kitts and Nevis were viewed and governed as different states until the late-19th century, when the British forcibly unified them along with the island of Anguilla. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority.

Geography

Location

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Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates

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17 20 N, 62 45 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

land

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261 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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135 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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24 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

continental shelf

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200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

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tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain

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volcanic with mountainous interiors

Elevation

highest point

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Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

lowest point

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Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

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arable land

Land use

agricultural land

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23.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 19.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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42.3% (2023 est.)

other

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34.6% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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8 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Natural hazards

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hurricanes (July to October) volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis are part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Geography - note

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smallest country in the Western Hemisphere in terms of both area and population; the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide (9-mi-wide) channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of baseball-bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its ball-shaped namesake island

People and Society

Population

total

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55,434 (2025 est.)

male

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27,748

female

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27,686

Nationality

noun

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Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

adjective

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Kittitian, Nevisian

Ethnic groups

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African descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.)

Languages

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English (official)

Age structure

0-14 years

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19.2% (male 5,314/female 5,277)

15-64 years

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68.1% (male 18,944/female 18,575)

65 years and over

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12.7% (2024 est.) (male 3,341/female 3,682)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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48.1 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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28.1 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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20 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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5 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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39.1 years (2025 est.)

male

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38.8 years

female

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38.3 years

Population growth rate

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0.53% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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11.58 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Urbanization

urban population

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31.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.91 male(s)/female

total population

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1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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74 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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5.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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10.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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77.6 years (2024 est.)

male

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75.2 years

female

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80.1 years

Total fertility rate

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1.76 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.87 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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6.2% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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5.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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3.09 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Hospital bed density

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4.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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22.9% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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8.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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3.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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1.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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3.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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11% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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19 years (2015 est.)

male

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18 years (2015 est.)

female

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20 years (2015 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage

International environmental agreements

party to

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Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

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none of the selected agreements

Climate

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tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Land use

agricultural land

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23.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 19.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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42.3% (2023 est.)

other

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34.6% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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31.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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269,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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269,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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32,900 tons (2024 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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15.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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0 cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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200,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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24 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form

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Saint Kitts and Nevis

former

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Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

etymology

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explorer Christopher COLUMBUS visited the islands in 1493 and named one for his own patron saint; a common nickname for Christopher during the following centuries was Kit or Kitt, and Saint Kitts is still referred to as Saint Christopher; the name of Nevis is said to derive from the original Spanish name "Las Nieves" (The Snows) and refers to its cloud-topped mountain

note

note: Nevis is pronounced NEE-vis

Government type

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federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name

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Basseterre

geographic coordinates

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17 18 N, 62 43 W

time difference

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UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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the French name translates as "low land" in English; the reference is probably to the city's location in a valley

Administrative divisions

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14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point

Legal system

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English common law

Constitution

history

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several previous (pre-independence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983

amendment process

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proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; amendments to constitutional provisions such as the sovereignty of the federation, fundamental rights and freedoms, the judiciary, and the Nevis Island Assembly also require approval in a referendum by at least two thirds of the votes cast in Saint Kitts and in Nevis

International law organization participation

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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yes

citizenship by descent only

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yes

dual citizenship recognized

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yes

residency requirement for naturalization

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14 years

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)

head of government

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Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister

election/appointment process

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the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Assembly

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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16 (11 directly elected; 4 appointed)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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5 years

most recent election date

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8/5/2022

parties elected and seats per party

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St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) (6); Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) (3); Peoples Labour Party (PLP) (1); People's Action Movement (PAM) (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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31.3%

expected date of next election

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October 2027

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office

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chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts

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magistrates' courts

Political parties

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Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM Nevis Reformation Party or NRP People's Action Movement or PAM People's Labour Party or PLP Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Jacinth HENRY-MARTIN (since 15 September 2023)

chancery

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1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036

telephone

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[1] (202) 686-2636

FAX

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[1] (202) 686-5740

email address and website

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stkittsnevis@embskn.com Embassy of St.Kitts and Nevis to the USA – and Permanent Mission to the OAS (embassydc.gov.kn)

consulate(s) general

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Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis

International organization participation

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ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Independence

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19 September 1983 (from the UK)

National holiday

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Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Flag

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description: divided diagonally from the lower left side by a broad black band with two five-pointed white stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, and the lower is red meaning: green stands for the island's fertility, red for the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow for year-round sunshine, and black for the people's African heritage; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism

National symbol(s)

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brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree

National color(s)

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green, yellow, red, black, white

National coat of arms

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the coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis features a Carib who represents the original inhabitants of the islands, and a fleur-de-lis and rose that represent the French and English who arrived in the 1620; the shield also features the poinciana (the national flower) and a traditional boat; three hands hold the torch, which represents the quest for freedom: the hand of an African, a European, and a person of mixed ethnicity; pelicans (the national bird) support the shield, with a sugarcane plant and a coconut tree that symbolize the land

National anthem(s)

title

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"God Save the King"

lyrics/music

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unknown

history

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in use since 1745

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Economy

Economic overview

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high-income, tourism-based Caribbean OECS economy; better debt balancing; CARICOM and ECCU member; growing offshore financial and telecommunications hub; environmentally fragile; unique citizenship-driven growth model

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$1.465 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

text

$1.448 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$1.388 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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1.2% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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4.3% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

text

10.3% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$31,300 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$31,000 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$29,700 (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$1.067 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

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3.6% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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2.7% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

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1.2% (2021 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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1.3% (2024 est.)

industry

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21.1% (2024 est.)

services

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65.5% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agricultural products

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coconuts, tropical fruits, root vegetables, vegetables, eggs, pulses, sweet potatoes, watermelons, cucumbers/gherkins, tomatoes (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Industrial production growth rate

text

-2.7% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Remittances

Remittances 2024

text

3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances 2023

text

3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

text

3.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

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$262 million (2020 est.)

expenditures

text

$281.889 million (2020 est.)

note

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2017

text

62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

text

15% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024

text

-$169.221 million (2024 est.)

Current account balance 2023

text

-$122.386 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

text

-$111.685 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2024

text

$504.391 million (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

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$579.568 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$542.983 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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Malta 49%, USA 21%, Turkey 7%, St. Vincent & the Grenadines 5%, Guyana 3% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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ships, measuring instruments, beer, electrical transformers, electrical control boards (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

text

$642.934 million (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

text

$669.168 million (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

text

$606.856 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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USA 50%, Italy 11%, China 8%, Japan 2%, UK 2% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, ships, cars, jewelry, poultry (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

text

$294.748 million (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$286.075 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$293.98 million (2022 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

text

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

2.7 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

2.7 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

2.7 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

2.7 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

2.7 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

text

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

72,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

182.455 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

39.522 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

text

95% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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2.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

81.454 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

16,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

33 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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56,600 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

119 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

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national state-operated TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription available for local and international channels; national state-operated radio network; mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasters with about 15 radio stations (2019)

Internet country code

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.kn

Internet users

percent of population

text

76% (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

text

22,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

47 (2022 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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2 (2025)

Heliports

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1 (2025)

Railways

total

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50 km (2008)

narrow gauge

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50 km (2008) 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists

Merchant marine

total

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341 (2023)

by type

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bulk carrier 22, container ship 16, general cargo 85, oil tanker 59, other 159

Ports

total ports

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2 (2024)

large

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medium

text

small

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very small

text

ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Basseterre, Charlestown

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF); Regular Force, Coast Guard Force (SKNDF Coast Guard), Reserve Force, Cadet Force Ministry of National Security: the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (2025)

Military and security service personnel strengths

text

estimated 200 active Defense Forces (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

text

the SKNDF is lightly armed with equipment from Belgium, the UK, and the US (2025)

Military service age and obligation

text

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (under 18 with written parental permission); no conscription (2025)

Military - note

text

SKNDF's missions include protecting the country's territorial integrity, assisting the police in combating the illegal narcotic trade and other crimes, and providing humanitarian and disaster relief assistance; the force also has a regional role through the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS); St. Kitts joined the RSS in 1984; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)