2018 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 struggling to reverse a surge in violent crime.

Area

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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea

mean elevation

83 m

note

940 highest point: El Cerro del Aripo

Environment Current Issues

water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; widespread pollution of waterways and coastal areas; illegal dumping; deforestation; soil erosion; fisheries and wildlife depletion

Environment International 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

arable land: 4.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 4.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 1.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

10.6% (2011 est.)

forest

44% (2011 est.)

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

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

note

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

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 is 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

0-14 years

19.24% (male 119,093 /female 114,830)

15-24 years

11.55% (male 73,171 /female 67,164)

25-54 years

44.99% (male 285,376 /female 261,517)

55-64 years

13.12% (male 79,596 /female 79,890)

65 years and over

11.1% (male 58,866 /female 76,024) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

12.3 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

5.5% (2011)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

40.3% (2011)

Death Rate

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

13.5 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

7.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.2 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

29.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 95.1% of population

rural: 95.1% of population

total: 95.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population

rural: 4.9% of population

total: 4.9% of population (2015 est.)

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

1.1% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

<500 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

11,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

3 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

20.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

22.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

76.4 years (2018 est.)

male

70.5 years (2018 est.)

total population

73.4 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

98.7% (2015 est.)

male

99.2% (2015 est.)

total population

99% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

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

Major Urban Areas Population

544,000 PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

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

Median Age

female

37.1 years (2018 est.)

male

36.1 years

total

36.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Trinidadian, Tobagonian

note

Trinbagonian is used on occasion to describe a citizen of the country without specifying the island of origin

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

1.82 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

1,215,527 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-0.23% (2018 est.)

Religions

Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congregational 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

improved: urban: 91.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 91.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 91.5% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.09 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

1.09 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.7 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

6.9% (2016 est.)

male

7.2% (2016 est.)

total

7.1% (2016 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.22% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

53.2% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

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

Capital

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

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent only

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

8 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions such as human rights and freedoms or citizenship requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and assent to by the president; passage of amendments such as the powers and authorities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and the procedure for amending the constitution requires at least three-quarters majority vote by the House membership, two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership, and assent to by the president; amended many times, last in 2007 (2018)

history

previous 1962; latest 1976 (2018)

Country Name

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

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

chancery

1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Anthony Wayne Jerome PHILLIPS-SPENCER, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) (since 27 June 2016)

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 785-3130

telephone

[1] (202) 467-6490

Executive Branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed from among members of Parliament

chief of state

President Paula-Mae WEEKES (since 19 March 2018)

election results

Paula-Mae WEEKES (independent) elected president; ran unopposed and was elected without a vote; she is Trinidad and Tabago's first female head of state

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 19 January 2018 (next to be held by February 2023); 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

highest courts

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 serve 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

description

bicameral Parliament consists of: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;) House of Representatives 42 seats; 41 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the house speaker - usually designated from outside Parliament; members 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%, other coalition 1%), 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

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

Political Parties And Leaders

Congress of the People or COPPeople's National Movement or PNM [Keith ROWLEY]People's Partnership [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR] (coalition includes UNC, COP, TOP, NJAC)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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures

7.446 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

5.581 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-8.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

6.75% (4 March 2016 est.)

6.75% (31 December 2015 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

9% (31 December 2017 est.)

9% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

$2.325 billion (2017 est.)

-$653 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$8.238 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.746 billion (31 December 2016 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 2014-17. 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 still in a recession and the government faces the dual challenge of gas shortages and a low price environment. Large-scale energy projects in the last quarter of 2017 are helping to mitigate the gas shortages.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. The country 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 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 -

6.78 (2017 est.)

6.669 (2016 est.)

6.669 (2015 est.)

6.4041 (2014 est.)

6.4041 (2013 est.)

Exports

$9.927 billion (2017 est.)

$8.714 billion (2016 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 34.8%, Argentina 9% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

45.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption

16.4% (2017 est.)

household consumption

78.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-48.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

8.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0.6% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

0.4% (2017 est.)

industry

47.8% (2017 est.)

services

51.7% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$22.78 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$31,300 (2017 est.)

$32,200 (2016 est.)

$34,400 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$42.85 billion (2017 est.)

$43.99 billion (2016 est.)

$46.83 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

-2.6% (2017 est.)

-6.1% (2016 est.)

1.7% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

26.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

16.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

29% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

$6.105 billion (2017 est.)

$6.858 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

US 23.8%, Russia 15.3%, Colombia 11.1%, Gabon 10.5%, China 7.3% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

-4.3% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

1.9% (2017 est.)

3.1% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

629,400 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

3.1%

industry

11.5%

services

85.4% (2016 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

41.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

37% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$8.892 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$9.995 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$7.247 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.72 billion (31 December 2016 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

$10.55 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$9.718 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$7.247 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

24.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

4.9% (2017 est.)

4% (2016 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

48.92 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

31,030 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

80,860 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

36,620 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

243 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

99% (2012)

electrification - total population

99.8% (2012)

electrification - urban areas

100% (2012)

population without electricity

12,452 (2012)

Electricity Consumption

9.867 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

100% 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

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

2.608 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

10.07 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

21.24 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

15.49 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

36.73 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

447.4 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

51,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

106,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

134,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

27 (2017 est.)

total

326,776 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

6 free-to-air TV networks, 2 of which are state-owned; 24 subscription providers (cable and satellite); over 36 radio frequencies (2016)

Internet Country Code

.tt

Internet Users

percent of population

69.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

846,000 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity over 190 telephones per 100 persons (2016)

general assessment

excellent international service; good local service (2016)

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

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

21 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

257,445 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

167 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

2,030,637 (2017 est.)

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

2 (2013)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

2 (2013)

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

9Y (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type

general cargo 1, other 104 (2017)

total

105 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

43,198,176 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,617,842 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

17 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1 (2015)

Pipelines

257 km condensate, 11 km condensate/gas, 1567 km gas, 587 km oil (2013)

Ports And Terminals

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Port Fortin

major seaport(s)

Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough

oil terminal(s)

Galeota Point terminal

Roadways

paved

5,524 km (2015)

total

9,592 km (2015)

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)

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 EEZin 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 watersGuyana 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

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

refugees (country of origin)

5,760 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2018)

Trafficking In Persons

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)