2021 Edition

Background

Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. During the course of 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for English 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 two-thirds majority vote needed.

Area

land

261 sq km

total

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

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

135 km

Elevation

highest point

Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates

17 20 N, 62 45 W

Geography - note

smallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in terms of area and population; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island

Irrigated land

8 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

23.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest

42.3% (2018 est.)

other

34.6% (2018 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

arable land

Population distribution

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

Terrain

volcanic with mountainous interiors

Age structure

0-14 years

19.87% (male 5,357/female 5,336)

15-24 years

13.46% (male 3,504/female 3,741)

25-54 years

43.64% (male 12,010/female 11,477)

55-64 years

13.03% (male 3,527/female 3,485)

65 years and over

10% (male 2,540/female 2,844) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

12.43 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

5.3% (2017)

Death rate

7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

NA

potential support ratio

NA

total dependency ratio

NA

youth dependency ratio

NA

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 98.3% of population

improved: total

total: 98.3% of population

improved: urban

urban: 98.3% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.7% of population

unimproved: total

total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.7% of population

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2018)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

5.76 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.34 years (2021 est.)

male

74.37 years

total population

76.83 years

Major urban areas - population

14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

36.3 years (2020 est.)

male

36.7 years

total

36.5 years

Nationality

adjective

Kittitian, Nevisian

noun

Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

Net migration rate

1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2016)

Physicians density

2.68 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

54,149 (July 2021 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

0.64% (2021 est.)

Religions

Protestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 87.3% of population

improved: total

total: 87.3% of population

improved: urban

urban: 87.3% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 12.7% of population

unimproved: total

total: 12.7% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 12.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

19 years (2015)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.94 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

30.9% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

the French name translates as "low land" in English; the reference is to the city's low-lying location within a valley, as well as to the fact that the city is on the leeward (downwind) part of the island, and is thus a safe anchorage

geographic coordinates

17 18 N, 62 43 W

name

Basseterre

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

14 years

Constitution

amendments

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

history

several previous (preindependence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983

Country name

conventional long form

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form

Saint Kitts and Nevis

etymology

Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak

former

Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

note

note: Nevis is pronounced neevis

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

chief of mission

Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 686-5740

telephone

[1] (202) 686-2636

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015

elections/appointments

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

head of government

Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015)

Flag description

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

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

19 September 1983 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, 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

Judicial branch

highest courts

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - 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 is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office

chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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

magistrates' courts

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

description

unicameral National Assembly (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - Team Unity (PAM, CCM,PLP) 56.4%, SKNLP 34.5%, NRP 9%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 2, CCM 3, PLP 2

elections

last held on 5 June 2020 (next to be held on 2025)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

name

Oh Land of Beauty!

note

note: adopted 1983

National holiday

Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

National symbol(s)

brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white

Political parties and leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY]Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS]People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS]Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

coconuts, tropical fruit, roots/tubers nes, vegetables, sweet potatoes, pulses nes, watermelons, carrots/turnips, eggs, tomatoes

Budget

expenditures

291.1 million (2017 est.)

revenues

307 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$102 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$97 million (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 31 December 2016

$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Debt - external 31 December 2017

$201.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Economic overview

The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.

Exchange rates

currency

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

2.7 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

2.7 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2015

2.7 (2015 est.)

Exchange rates 2016

2.7 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

2.7 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2016

$53.9 million (2016 est.)

Exports 2018

$610 million note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports - commodities

low-voltage protection equipment, broadcasting equipment, measuring instruments, electric motor parts, electrical transformers (2019)

Exports - partners

United States 69%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

62.5% (2017 est.)

government consumption

25.9% (2017 est.)

household consumption

41.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-60.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

30.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.1% (2017 est.)

industry

30% (2017 est.)

services

68.9% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$964 million (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

Imports 2016

$307.9 million (2016 est.)

Imports 2018

$590 million note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, jewelry, ships, cars, poultry meats, cement (2019)

Imports - partners

United States 59%, Peru 6%, Germany 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

-0.3% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

0% (2017 est.)

Labor force

18,170 (June 1995 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

Public debt 2016

61.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$1.36 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$1.39 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$1.24 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

2.7% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

2.9% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

2.1% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$25,900 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$26,200 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$23,300 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$320.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$365.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 1997

4.5% (1997)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

193.4 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

64,200 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

208 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

55.82 (2018 est.)

total

29,272 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media

the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations

Internet country code

.kn

Internet users

percent of population

80.71% (2019 est.)

total

43,100 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

interisland links via ECFS; fixed-line teledensity about 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 148 per 100 persons (2019)

general assessment

good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)

international

country code - 1-869; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the SSCS submarine cables providing connectivity for numerous Caribbean Islands (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

33.23 (2018 est.)

total subscriptions

17,293 (2018)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

147.7 (2019 est.)

total subscriptions

76,878 (2018)

Airports

total

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2019)

total

2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V4

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 6, container ship 7, general cargo 45, oil tanker 53, other 133 (2021)

total

244

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Basseterre, Charlestown

Railways

narrow gauge

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

total

50 km (2008)

Roadways

paved

163 km (2002)

total

383 km (2002)

unpaved

220 km (2002)

Military - note

St. Kitts joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1984; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, 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 (2021)

Military and security forces

Ministry of National Security: St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF), St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the SKNDF has approximately 300 personnel (2019)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the SKNDF is lightly armed with equipment from Belgium, the UK, and the US (2021)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (under 18 with written parental permission); no conscription (2021)

Disputes - international

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs

a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

0.24 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

0.1 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

12.31 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

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

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

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

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

23.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest

42.3% (2018 est.)

other

34.6% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

24 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

200,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

15.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

30.9% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

32,892 tons (2015 est.)