2020 Edition

Background

The indigenous Carib people inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP, ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later, US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations intervened, quickly capturing the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Rule of law was restored, and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since.

Area

land

344 sq km

total

344 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

twice the size of Washington, D.C.

Climate

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Coastline

121 km

Elevation

highest point

Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

23.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 8.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 11.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)

forest

52.1% (2023 est.)

other

24.4% (2023 est.)

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) is on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km (5 mi) north of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends to the Dutch dependency of Saba in the north

Natural resources

timber, tropical fruit

Population distribution

approximately one third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast

Terrain

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Age structure

0-14 years

21.9% (male 13,095/female 12,003)

15-64 years

65.3% (male 38,129/female 36,726)

65 years and over

12.8% (2024 est.) (male 6,944/female 7,724)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

4.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

8.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

19.6 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

5.1 (2024 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

33.5 (2024 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

5.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

11.4% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

5.7% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

9.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male

8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

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

Languages

English (official), French patois

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.1 years

male

73.7 years

total population

76.3 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Median age

female

35.7 years

male

35.2 years

total

35.9 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Grenadian

noun

Grenadian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.3% (2016)

Physician density

1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population

female

56,453

male

58,168

total

114,621 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

0.24% (2025 est.)

Religions

Protestant 49.2% (includes Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 13.2%, Anglican 8.5%, Baptist 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Evangelical 1.9%, Methodist 1.6%, other 1.2%), Roman Catholic 36%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Rastafarian 1.2%, other 5.5%, none 5.7%, unspecified 1.3% (2011 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

18 years (2018 est.)

male

17 years (2018 est.)

total

18 years (2018 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.9 male(s)/female

at birth

1.1 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

37.1% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Capital

etymology

originally named Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town), the name was changed to Saint George's Town in 1764, in honor of the patron saint of England, when the English took over Grenada from the French; the name was eventually shortened to Saint George's

geographic coordinates

12 03 N, 61 45 W

name

Saint George's

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent only

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state

Constitution

amendment process

proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum

history

previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Grenada

etymology

origin of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada); in Spanish granada means "pomegranate"

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the Chargé d’Affaires to Barbados, Karin B. SULLIVAN, is accredited to Grenada

email address and website

StgeorgesACS@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/

embassy

Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's

FAX

[1] (473) 444-4820

mailing address

3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180

telephone

[1] (473) 444-1173

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

email address and website

embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org https://grenadaembassyusa.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 265-2468

telephone

[1] (202) 265-2561

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

chief of state

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)

election/appointment process

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

head of government

Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022)

Flag

description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (left and right), with a wide red border around the flag; three five-pointed yellow stars are centered on the top and bottom of the red border, with one larger yellow star on a red disk at the center of the flag; a small yellow-and-red nutmeg pod is on the left triangle meaning: the seven stars stand for the country's administrative divisions, with the central star symbolizing the capital, St. George's; yellow stands for the sun and the warmth of the people, green for vegetation and agriculture, and red for harmony, unity, and courage

Government type

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

7 February 1974 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

regionally, 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

judge selection and term of office

chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and 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

magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals

Legal system

common law based on English model

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

legislature name

Parliament

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Representatives

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

June 2027

most recent election date

6/23/2022

number of seats

15 (all directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

National Democratic Congress (NDC) (9); New National Party (NNP) (6)

percentage of women in chamber

31.3%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate

expected date of next election

August 2027

most recent election date

8/31/2022

number of seats

13 (all appointed)

percentage of women in chamber

30.8%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

National anthem(s)

history

royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country

lyrics/music

unknown

title

"God Save the King"

National coat of arms

Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada; in the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which landed on the island in 1498; the gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion; two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country; the corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities

National color(s)

red, yellow, green

National holiday

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

National symbol(s)

Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower

Political parties

National Democratic Congress or NDC New National Party or NNP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

sugarcane, coconuts, eggs, vegetables, fruits, bananas, plantains, grapefruits, avocados, mangoes/guavas (2023)

Budget

expenditures

$222.475 million (2017 est.)

revenues

$288.404 million (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2022

-$148.445 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$243.473 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

-$270.771 million (2024 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

$501.371 million (2023 est.)

Economic overview

small OECS service-based economy; large tourism, construction, transportation, and education sectors; major spice exporter; shrinking but still high public debt; vulnerable to hurricanes; emerging blue economy incentives

Exchange rates

Currency

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

2.7 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

2.7 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

2.7 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

2.7 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

2.7 (2024 est.)

Exports

Exports 2022

$706.195 million (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$828.529 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$858.949 million (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

nutmeg/cardamons, fish, wheat flours, frozen fruits and nuts, aqueous paints (2023)

Exports - partners

USA 24%, Antigua & Barbuda 13%, St. Vincent & the Grenadines 8%, Dominica 6%, Trinidad & Tobago 5% (2023)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

2.7% (2024 est.)

industry

14.8% (2024 est.)

services

65.2% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.391 billion (2024 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018

43.8 (2018 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.7% (2018 est.)

lowest 10%

2.1% (2018 est.)

Imports

Imports 2022

$785.022 million (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$924.688 million (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$990.587 million (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, poultry, ships, plastic products (2023)

Imports - partners

USA 37%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, Cayman Islands 10%, China 4%, UK 3% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

2.9% (2024 est.)

Industries

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction, education, call-center operations

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

2.6% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

2.7% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

1.1% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

25% (2018 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

82% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$1.916 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$2.005 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$2.08 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

7.3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

4.7% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

3.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$16,400 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$17,100 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$17,700 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2022

5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$371.767 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$404.13 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$423.263 million (2024 est.)

Coal

imports

1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

221.453 million kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

60,000 kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

18 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

94.2% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

98.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

41.703 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30 (2022 est.)

total

35,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple publicly and privately owned TV and radio stations; state-owned Grenada Information Service (GIS) provides TV and radio; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA); approximately 25 private radio stations (2019)

Internet country code

.gd

Internet users

percent of population

74% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

17,000 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

81 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

112,000 (2022 est.)

Airports

2 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

J3

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 3, other 3

total

6 (2023)

Ports

key ports

St. George's

large

0

medium

0

ports with oil terminals

1

small

1

total ports

1 (2024)

very small

0

Military - note

Grenada joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1985; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 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)

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

383 (2024 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from petroleum and other liquids

348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

deforestation causing habitat and species loss; coastal erosion and contamination; pollution and sedimentation; inadequate solid waste management

International environmental agreements

party to

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

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

10.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

200 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

2.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

0 cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal

12 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

29,500 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15.1% (2022 est.)