2017 Edition

Background

First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.

Area

5,128 sq km 5,128 sq km 0 sq km

land

5,128 sq km

total

5,128 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Coastline

362 km

Elevation

83 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

mean elevation

83 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 61 00 W

Geography - note

Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10.6% arable land 4.9%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 1.4% 44% 45.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

10.6%

forest

44%

other

45.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Population - distribution

population on Trinidad concentrated in the western half of the island; on Tobago in the southern half

Terrain

mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Age structure

19.29% (male 119,651/female 115,348) 11.88% (male 75,402/female 69,333) 45.56% (male 289,244/female 265,808) 12.61% (male 76,601/female 77,056) 10.65% (male 56,550/female 73,215) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

19.29% (male 119,651/female 115,348)

15-24 years

11.88% (male 75,402/female 69,333)

25-54 years

45.56% (male 289,244/female 265,808)

55-64 years

12.61% (male 76,601/female 77,056)

65 years and over

10.65% (male 56,550/female 73,215) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

43.2 29.8 13.5 7.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

13.5

potential support ratio

7.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.2

youth dependency ratio

29.8

Drinking water source

urban: 95.1% of population rural: 95.1% of population total: 95.1% of population urban: 4.9% of population rural: 4.9% of population total: 4.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

4.9% of population

total

4.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

4.9% of population

Ethnic groups

East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, mixed - other 15.3%, mixed African/East Indian 7.7%, other 1.3%, unspecified 6.2% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

22.3 deaths/1,000 live births 23.6 deaths/1,000 live births 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

23.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Trinidadian Creole English, Tobagonian Creole English, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Trinidadian Creole French, Spanish, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth

73.1 years 70.2 years 76.2 years (2017 est.)

female

76.2 years (2017 est.)

male

70.2 years

total population

73.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99.2% 98.7% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.7% (2015 est.)

male

99.2%

total population

99%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) 34,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

63 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

36 years 35.6 years 36.6 years (2017 est.)

female

36.6 years (2017 est.)

male

35.6 years

total

36 years

Nationality

Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) Trinidadian, Tobagonian

adjective

Trinidadian, Tobagonian

noun

Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)

Net migration rate

-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.6% (2016)

Physicians density

1.18 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

1,218,208 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population on Trinidad is concentrated in the western half of the island, on Tobago in the southern half

Population growth rate

-0.2% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congretational 2.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 91.5% of population rural: 91.5% of population total: 91.5% of population urban: 8.5% of population rural: 8.5% of population total: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

8.5% of population

total

8.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

8.5% of population

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.09 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.09 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

8.4% 7.4% 9.9% (2015 est.)

female

9.9% (2015 est.)

male

7.4%

total

8.4%

Urbanization

8.3% of total population (2017) -83% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

-83% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

8.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin Port of Spain, San Fernando Tobago

borough

Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin

cities

Port of Spain, San Fernando

regions

Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco

ward

Tobago

Capital

Port of Spain 10 39 N, 61 31 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

10 39 N, 61 31 W

name

Port of Spain

time difference

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

Citizenship

yes yes yes 8 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

8 years

Constitution

previous 1962; latest 1976; amended many times, last in 2007 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the larger island "La Isla de la Trinidad" (The Island of the Trinity) on 31 July 1498 on his third voyage; the tobacco grown and smoked by the natives of the smaller island or its elongated cigar shape may account for the "tobago" name, which is spelled "tobaco" in Spanish

conventional long form

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

conventional short form

Trinidad and Tobago

etymology

explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the larger island "La Isla de la Trinidad" (The Island of the Trinity) on 31 July 1498 on his third voyage; the tobacco grown and smoked by the natives of the smaller island or its elongated cigar shape may account for the "tobago" name, which is spelled "tobaco" in Spanish

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John W. MCINTYRE (since 20 January 2017) 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376 [1] (868) 822-5905

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John W. MCINTYRE (since 20 January 2017)

embassy

15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain

FAX

[1] (868) 822-5905

mailing address

P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain

telephone

[1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Anthony Wayne Jerome PHILLIPS-SPENCER (since 27 June 2016) 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 467-6490 [1] (202) 785-3130 Miami, New York

chancery

1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Anthony Wayne Jerome PHILLIPS-SPENCER (since 27 June 2016)

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 785-3130

telephone

[1] (202) 467-6490

Executive branch

President Anthony CARMONA (since 18 March 2013) Prime Minister Keith ROWLEY (since 9 September 2015) Cabinet appointed from among members of Parliament president indirectly elected by an electoral college of selected Senate and House of Representatives members for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 February 2013 (next to be held by February 2018); the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives as prime minister Anthony CARMONA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote - 100%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed from among members of Parliament

chief of state

President Anthony CARMONA (since 18 March 2013)

election results

Anthony CARMONA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote - 100%

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by an electoral college of selected Senate and House of Representatives members for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 February 2013 (next to be held by February 2018); the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives as prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Keith ROWLEY (since 9 September 2015)

Flag description

red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations, and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

31 August 1962 (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, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of the Judicature (consists of a chief justice for both the Court of Appeal with 12 judges and the High Court with 24 judges); note - Trinidad and Tobago can file appeals beyond its Supreme Court to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the parliamentary leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the Judicial Legal Services Commission, headed by the chief justice and 5 members with judicial experience; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 Courts of Summary Criminal Jurisdiction; Petty Civil Courts; Family Court

highest resident court(s)

Supreme Court of the Judicature (consists of a chief justice for both the Court of Appeal with 12 judges and the High Court with 24 judges); note - Trinidad and Tobago can file appeals beyond its Supreme Court to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the parliamentary leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the Judicial Legal Services Commission, headed by the chief justice and 5 members with judicial experience; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65

subordinate courts

Courts of Summary Criminal Jurisdiction; Petty Civil Courts; Family Court

Legal system

English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president, and 6 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms;) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly (16 seats; 12 assemblymen directly elected by simple majority vote and 4 appointed councillors - 3 on the advice of the chief secretary and 1 on the advice of the minority leader; members serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020) House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 51.7%, People's Partnership coalition 46.6% (UNC 39.6%, COP 6.0%, other 1.0%), other 1.7%; seats by party - PNM 23, UNC 17, COP 1

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president, and 6 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms;) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 51.7%, People's Partnership coalition 46.6% (UNC 39.6%, COP 6.0%, other 1.0%), other 1.7%; seats by party - PNM 23, UNC 17, COP 1

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

note

Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly (16 seats; 12 assemblymen directly elected by simple majority vote and 4 appointed councillors - 3 on the advice of the chief secretary and 1 on the advice of the minority leader; members serve 4-year terms)

National anthem

"Forged From the Love of Liberty" Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962

lyrics/music

Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE

name

"Forged From the Love of Liberty"

note

adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

National symbol(s)

scarlet ibis (bird of Trinidad), cocrico (bird of Tobago), Chaconia flower; national colors: red, white, black

scarlet ibis (bird of Trinidad), cocrico (bird of Tobago), Chaconia flower; national colors

red, white, black

Political parties and leaders

Congress of the People or COP People's National Movement or PNM [Keith ROWLEY] People's Partnrship [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR] (coalition includes UNC, COP, TOP, National Joint Action Committee) National Joint Action Committee or NJAC [Kwasi MUTEMA] Tobago Organization of the People or TOP [Ashworth JACK] United National Congress or UNC [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Jamaat al-Muslimeen [Yasin ABU BAKR]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cocoa, dasheen, pumpkin, cassava, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, hot pepper, pommecythere, coconut water, poultry

Budget

$6.733 billion $7.817 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$7.817 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$6.733 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.75% (04 March 2016 est.) 6.75% (31 December 2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9% (31 December 2016 est.) 8.18% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-2.395 billion (2016 est.) $956.7 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$8.746 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7.195 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Trinidad and Tobago relies on its energy sector for much of its economic activity, and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8% per year, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then, contracting during 2009-12, making small gains in 2013 and contracting again in 2014-16. Trinidad and Tobago is buffered by considerable foreign reserves and a sovereign wealth fund that equals about one-and-a-half times the national budget, but the country is in a recession and the government faces the dual challenge of gas shortages and a low price environment. Energy production and downstream industrial use dominate the economy. Oil and gas typically account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports but less than 5% of employment. Trinidad and Tobago is home to one of the largest natural gas liquefaction facilities in the Western Hemisphere. Trinidad and Tobago produces about nine times more natural gas than crude oil on an energy equivalent basis with gas contributing about two-thirds of energy sector government revenue. The US is the country’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28% of its total imports and taking 48% of its exports. Economic diversification is a longstanding government talking point, and Trinidad and Tobago has much potential due to its stable, democratic government and its educated, English speaking workforce. The country is also a regional financial center with a well-regulated and stable financial system. Other sectors the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has targeted for increased investment and projected growth include tourism, agriculture, information and communications technology, and shipping. Unfortunately, a host of other factors, including low labor productivity, inefficient government bureaucracy, and corruption, have hampered economic development.

Exchange rates

Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.669 (2016 est.) 6.669 (2015 est.) 6.4041 (2014 est.) 6.4041 (2013 est.) 6.39 (2012 est.)

Exports

$8.714 billion (2016 est.) $11.13 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, cocoa, fish, preserved fruits, cosmetics, household cleaners, plastic packaging

Exports - partners

US 39.2%, Argentina 9.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

76.3% 17.4% 8.8% 0.6% 48.1% -50.7% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

48.1%

government consumption

17.4%

household consumption

76.3%

imports of goods and services

-50.7% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

8.8%

investment in inventories

0.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.4% 48.4% 51.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

48.4%

services

51.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$31,800 (2016 est.) $33,700 (2015 est.) $34,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-5.4% (2016 est.) -0.6% (2015 est.) -0.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$21.13 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$43.42 billion (2016 est.) $45.31 billion (2015 est.) $45.08 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

9.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 12.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 12.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$9.485 billion (2016 est.) $8.602 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals

Imports - partners

US 33.4%, Russia 13.3%, Gabon 12.4%, China 6.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-8.5% (2016 est.)

Industries

petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, food processing, cement, cotton textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.1% (2016 est.) 4.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

627,400 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.4% 11.5% 84.7% (2015 est.)

agriculture

3.4%

industry

11.5%

services

84.7% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$177.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $171.6 million (31 December 2014 est.) $170 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

20% (2014 est.)

Public debt

62.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 51.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.995 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $10.38 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$16.66 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $16.76 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.266 billion (2014 est.) $2.061 billion (2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$382.9 million (31 December 2014 est.) $311.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.718 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $9.265 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.862 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.1% (2016 est.) 3.5% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

48 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

32,620 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

58,460 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

71,570 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

243 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

9.461 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.117 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

9.682 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

12,452 99.8% 100% 99% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

99% (2012)

electrification - total population

99.8%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

12,452

Natural gas - consumption

39.39 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

17.86 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

40.87 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

300.1 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

46,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

97,960 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,498 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

109,300 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

16 TV networks (11 commercial, 5 non-commercial), 2 of which are state-owned that broadcast on multiple stations; 9 TV subscription service providers (cable and satellite); 19 radio networks, 1 state-owned, broadcast over about 35 stations (2016)

Internet country code

.tt

Internet users

846,000 69.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

69.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

846,000

Telephone system

excellent international service; good local service combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity over 190 telephones per 100 persons country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity over 190 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

excellent international service; good local service

international

country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

272,072 22 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

22 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

272,072

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.123 million 174 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

174 (July 2016 est.)

total

2.123 million

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9Y (2016)

Merchant marine

passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1 2 (unknown 2) (2010)

by type

passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries

2 (unknown 2) (2010)

total

4

National air transport system

2,617,842 43,198,176 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

43,198,176 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,617,842

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

17

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

condensate 257 km; condensate/gas 11 km; gas 1,567 km; oil 587 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough Galeota Point terminal Port Fortin

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Port Fortin

major seaport(s)

Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough

oil terminal(s)

Galeota Point terminal

Roadways

9,592 km 5,524 km 4,068 km (2015)

paved

5,524 km

total

9,592 km

unpaved

4,068 km (2015)

Military branches

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves (2010)

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF)

Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves (2010)

Military expenditures

1.12% of GDP (2016) 0.88% of GDP (2015) 0.72% of GDP (2014) 0.8% of GDP (2013) 0.66% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription; Trinidad and Tobago citizenship and completion of secondary school required (2012)

Disputes - international

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's EEZ; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration, as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may also extend into its waters

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis

Trafficking in persons

Trinidad and Tobago is a destination, transit, and possible source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and girls from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Colombia have been subjected to sex trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago’s brothels and clubs; some economic migrants from the Caribbean region and Asia are vulnerable to forced labor in domestic service and the retail sector; the steady flow of vessels transiting Trinidad and Tobago’s territorial waters may also increase opportunities for forced labor for fishing; international crime organizations are increasingly involved in trafficking, and boys are coerced to sell drugs and guns; corruption among police and immigration officials impedes anti-trafficking efforts Tier 2 Watch List – Trinidad and Tobago does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts decreased from the initiation of 12 prosecutions in 2013 to 1 in 2014; the government has yet to convict anyone under its 2011 anti-trafficking law, and all prosecutions from previous years remain pending; the government sustained efforts to identify victims and to refer them for care at NGO facilities, which it provided with funding; the government failed to draft a national action plan as mandated under the 2011 anti-trafficking law and did not launch a sufficiently robust awareness campaign to educate the public and officials (2015)

current situation

Trinidad and Tobago is a destination, transit, and possible source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and girls from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Colombia have been subjected to sex trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago’s brothels and clubs; some economic migrants from the Caribbean region and Asia are vulnerable to forced labor in domestic service and the retail sector; the steady flow of vessels transiting Trinidad and Tobago’s territorial waters may also increase opportunities for forced labor for fishing; international crime organizations are increasingly involved in trafficking, and boys are coerced to sell drugs and guns; corruption among police and immigration officials impedes anti-trafficking efforts

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Trinidad and Tobago does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts decreased from the initiation of 12 prosecutions in 2013 to 1 in 2014; the government has yet to convict anyone under its 2011 anti-trafficking law, and all prosecutions from previous years remain pending; the government sustained efforts to identify victims and to refer them for care at NGO facilities, which it provided with funding; the government failed to draft a national action plan as mandated under the 2011 anti-trafficking law and did not launch a sufficiently robust awareness campaign to educate the public and officials (2015)