Knelstrom Intelligence · World Factbook

Saint Lucia

LC / LCAnorth-america
CapitalCastries
Population180,149
GDP$2.7bn
Area617 km²
RegionLatin America & Caribbean
Data sources current · last checked September 20, 2026 2:11 am

Country facts

CapitalCastries
Area617 km²
CurrencyEastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Official language(s)English
Calling code+1758
RegionLatin America & Caribbean
Income levelUpper middle income
Form of governmentconstitutional monarchy
Time zoneUTC−04:00, America/St_Lucia

Overview

Population180,1492025 · Verified
UN Population Division population estimate180,4882026 · Estimated
GDP (current US$)$2,656,444,4442025 · Verified
GDP per capita (current US$)$14,7462025 · Verified
GDP growth-0.6%2025 · Verified
Inflation, consumer prices2.0%2025 · Verified
Unemployment9.5%2025 · Verified

Background

England and France contested Saint Lucia -- with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry -- throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, with possession changing 14 times; it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.
Reference: 1979, 1967, 1962, 1958

Geography

Latitude14.0000°current · Verified
Longitude-60.9832°current · Verified

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total: 616 sq km
land: 606 sq km
water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

158 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Terrain

volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys

Elevation

highest point: Mount Gimie 948 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

Land use

agricultural land: 16.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 11.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
forest: 53.7% (2023 est.)
other: 30% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2012)
Reference: 2012

Population distribution

most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries

Natural hazards

hurricanes
volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava-dome remnants associated with the Soufrière volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Geography - note

the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufrière, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean

Population & Society

Population180,1492025 · Verified
UN Population Division population estimate180,4882026 · Estimated
Fertility rate1.42024 · Verified
Urban population29.1%2025 · Verified

Nationality

noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian

Ethnic groups

Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Reference: 2010

Languages

English (official), Saint Lucian Creole

Religions

Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Reference: 2010

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.9% (male 15,505/female 14,607)
15-64 years: 66.7% (male 54,260/female 57,747)
65 years and over: 15.4% (2024 est.) (male 11,752/female 14,167)
Reference: 2024

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 50 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 26.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 23.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.3 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Median age

total: 39.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 38.4 years
female: 40.9 years
Reference: 2024

Population growth rate

0.26% (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Birth rate

11.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Death rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Population distribution

most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries

Major urban areas - population

22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018)
Reference: 2018

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Maternal mortality ratio

44 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Gross reproduction rate

0.83 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Drinking water source

improved: urban: urban: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural: rural: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 96.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural: rural: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 3.1% of population (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 6.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022, 2021

Physician density

4.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Reference: 2020

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Reference: 2021

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: urban: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural: rural: 92.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural: rural: 7.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.7% (2016)
Reference: 2016

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 9.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 5.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Reference: 2019

Tobacco use

total: 13.1% (2025 est.)
male: 24.1% (2025 est.)
female: 2.6% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.6% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years (2023 est.)
male: 12 years (2023 est.)
female: 13 years (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Migration & Displacement

Immigrant/emigrant stock measures the number of international migrants resident in, or originating from, the country; it is not the same as annual immigration/emigration flows.

International migrant stock (immigrants)8,0792024 · Verified
International migrant stock4.5%2024 · Verified
International emigrant stock21,7062024 · Estimated
Net migration-232025 · Verified
Refugees hosted52025 · Verified
Asylum seekers hosted02025 · Verified
Refugees from this country1992025 · Verified
Asylum seekers from this country2422025 · Verified

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 5 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Government & Politics

Form of governmentconstitutional monarchycurrent · Reported
OfficeHolderAffiliationFromStatusEvidence
Head of stateCharles III2022-09-08CurrentReported
Head of governmentPhilip J. Pierre2021-07-28CurrentReported

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia
etymology: believed to be named after Saint LUCY (Sainte ALOUSIE) of Syracuse by French sailors who were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December 1502, the saint's feast day
note: note: pronounced saynt-LOO-shuh

Capital

name: Castries
geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 61 00 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: in 1785, the village of Carenage was renamed Castries, after Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de CASTRIES, who was then the French Minister of the Navy and Colonies

Administrative divisions

10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufrière, Vieux-Fort

Legal system

English common law

Constitution

history: previous 1958, 1960 (pre-independence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979
amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Assembly membership in the final reading and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to various constitutional sections, such as those on fundamental rights and freedoms, government finances, the judiciary, and procedures for amending the constitution, require at least three-quarters majority vote by the House and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments approved by the House but rejected by the Senate require a majority of votes cast in a referendum
Reference: 1979, 1978, 1960, 1958

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Acting Governor General Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Philip J. PIERRE (since 28 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
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; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general
Reference: 2022, 2021

Legislative branch

legislature name: Houses of Parliament
legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name: House of Assembly
number of seats: 18 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 7/26/2021
parties elected and seats per party: Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) (13); United Workers Party (UWP) (2); Independents (2)
percentage of women in chamber: 10.5%
expected date of next election: December 2025
Reference: 2025, 2021

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name: Senate
number of seats: 11 (all appointed)
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 8/17/2021
percentage of women in chamber: 54.5%
expected date of next election: December 2025
Reference: 2025, 2021

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: magistrate's court

Political parties

Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP
United Workers Party or UWP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 2022)
chancery: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723
email address and website: embassydc@gosl.gov.lc
https://www.embassyofstlucia.org/
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Reference: 2022

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

22 February 1979 (from the UK)
Reference: 1979

National holiday

Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Reference: 1979

Flag

description: cerulean blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
meaning: blue stands for the sky and sea, gold for sunshine and prosperity, and white and black for the ethnic composition of the island; the triangles represent Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the cone-shaped volcanic plugs that are a symbol of the island

National symbol(s)

twin pitons (volcanic peaks), Saint Lucia parrot

National color(s)

cerulean blue, gold, black, white

National anthem(s)

title: "God Save the King"
lyrics/music: unknown
history: in use since 1745

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Pitons Management Area

Legislature & Elections

Legislature

NameChamberSeatsElectoral system
Parliament of Saint Lucia

Economy

GDP (current US$)$2,656,444,4442025 · Verified
GDP per capita (current US$)$14,7462025 · Verified
GDP growth-0.6%2025 · Verified
Inflation, consumer prices2.0%2025 · Verified
Unemployment9.5%2025 · Verified
Income levelUpper middle incomecurrent · Verified

Economic overview

upper middle-income, tourism-based Caribbean island economy; environmentally fragile; energy import-dependent; major banana producer; well-educated labor force; key infrastructure, IT, and communications investments

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $4.359 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $4.196 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $4.105 billion (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $24,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $23,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $23,000 (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.1% (2024 est.)
industry: 9.8% (2024 est.)
services: 75.9% (2024 est.)
note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Reference: 2024

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 66.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -56.9% (2017 est.)
Reference: 2017

Agricultural products

coconuts, bananas, tropical fruits, fruits, root vegetables, plantains, vegetables, cassava, chicken, milk (2023)
note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Reference: 2023

Industries

tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing

Industrial production growth rate

5.6% (2024 est.)
note: note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Reference: 2024

Labor force

102,400 (2024 est.)
note: note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Reference: 2024

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 29% (2024 est.)
male: 31.4% (2024 est.)
female: 26.3% (2024 est.)
note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Reference: 2024

Population below poverty line

25% (2015 est.)
note: note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Reference: 2015

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016: 51.2 (2016 est.)
note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Reference: 2016

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.1% (2015 est.)
highest 10%: 34.1% (2015 est.)
note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Reference: 2015

Remittances

Remittances 2024: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 2.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Budget

revenues: $414.77 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $351.956 million (2017 est.)
note: note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Reference: 2017

Public debt

Public debt 2016: 69.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reference: 2016

Taxes and other revenues

18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Reference: 2017

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: -$64.121 million (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$38.069 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$83.442 million (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Exports

Exports 2024: $1.6 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $1.419 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $1.29 billion (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Exports - partners

Guyana 20%, Suriname 15%, USA 11%, Barbados 8%, Dominica 7% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Reference: 2023

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, gravel and crushed stone, beer, liquor, paper containers (2023)
note: note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023

Imports

Imports 2024: $1.446 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $1.292 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $1.2 billion (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Imports - partners

USA 59%, Guyana 8%, Brazil 7%, China 5%, UK 3% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Reference: 2023

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, poultry, plastic products (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $406.064 million (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $424.324 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $389.083 million (2022 est.)
note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023: $901.317 million (2023 est.)
note: note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Reference: 2023

Exchange rates

Currency: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024: 2.7 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 2.7 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 2.7 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 2.7 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 2.7 (2020 est.)
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Trade

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: -$64.121 million (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$38.069 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$83.442 million (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Exports

Exports 2024: $1.6 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $1.419 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $1.29 billion (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Exports - partners

Guyana 20%, Suriname 15%, USA 11%, Barbados 8%, Dominica 7% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Reference: 2023

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, gravel and crushed stone, beer, liquor, paper containers (2023)
note: note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023

Imports

Imports 2024: $1.446 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $1.292 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $1.2 billion (2022 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022

Imports - partners

USA 59%, Guyana 8%, Brazil 7%, China 5%, UK 3% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Reference: 2023

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, poultry, plastic products (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023

Energy & Resources

Access to electricity100.0%2024 · Verified
Renewable energy consumption9.7%2022 · Verified

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 93,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 365.178 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 31.038 million kWh (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 98% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 47.522 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Infrastructure

Access to electricity100.0%2024 · Verified
Fixed broadband subscriptions13.6 per 1002022 · Verified
Mobile cellular subscriptions98.7 per 1002022 · Verified

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 31,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Health

Life expectancy at birth72.8 years2024 · Verified
Current health expenditure4.7%2023 · Verified
Infant mortality rate15.8 per 1,0002024 · Verified

Maternal mortality ratio

44 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 6.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022, 2021

Physician density

4.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Reference: 2020

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Reference: 2021

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.7% (2016)
Reference: 2016

Tobacco use

total: 13.1% (2025 est.)
male: 24.1% (2025 est.)
female: 2.6% (2025 est.)

Education

Secondary school enrolment, gross87.9%2024 · Verified
Government education expenditure3.8%2024 · Verified

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years (2023 est.)
male: 12 years (2023 est.)
female: 13 years (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Rights, Freedoms & Society

LGBTQ+ Rights & Law

Concrete legal-status fields only; Knelstrom does not generate an LGBTQ rights score or country ranking.

Same-sex sexual activityYes Legal since 2025Reported
Recognition of same-sex relationshipsNoReported
Same-sex marriageNoReported
Same-sex adoptionNoReported
Open military serviceHas no militaryReported
Sexual-orientation anti-discrimination lawYes Bans some anti-gay discriminationReported
Gender identity / expression lawNoReported

Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory (CC BY-SA 4.0). Community-edited legal-status summary; retrieved by Knelstrom and not legal advice.

Crime & Justice

Legal system

English common law

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: magistrate's court

Military & Security

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice, and National Security: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) (2024)
Reference: 2024

Military - note

Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts, 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)
Reference: 2025, 1982

International Relations

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 2022)
chancery: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723
email address and website: embassydc@gosl.gov.lc
https://www.embassyofstlucia.org/
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Reference: 2022

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Treaties & Organisations

OrganisationStatusJoined
Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth)member1979-00-00
United Nations (UN)member1979-09-18
World Trade Organization (WTO)member

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Conflict & Security

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 5 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Saint Lucia was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/saint-lucia/

Transportation & Logistics

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

J6

Airports

2 (2025)

Ports

total ports: 3 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 2
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 2
key ports: Castries, Grand Cul de Sac Bay, Vieux Fort
Reference: 2024

Environment

Forest area34.0%2023 · Verified
Renewable energy consumption9.7%2022 · Verified

Environmental issues

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region

International environmental agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Land use

agricultural land: 16.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 11.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
forest: 53.7% (2023 est.)
other: 30% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Urbanization

urban population: 19.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Reference: 2023, 2020

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023

Particulate matter emissions

8.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Reference: 2019

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 77,600 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2022 est.)
Reference: 2024, 2022

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 12.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial: 0 cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural: 30.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Total renewable water resources

300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Communications & Media

Individuals using the Internet68.2%2024 · Verified
Mobile cellular subscriptions98.7 per 1002022 · Verified
Fixed broadband subscriptions13.6 per 1002022 · Verified
Secure Internet servers734 per million2024 · Verified

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 31,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022

Broadcast media

3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; mix of state-owned and privately owned radio broadcasters with about 25 stations, including repeater transmission stations (2019)
Reference: 2019

Internet country code

.lc

Historical Trends

Population

Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.

View Population data table
PeriodValueSource
2016175,646world_bank_wdi
2017176,342world_bank_wdi
2018177,017world_bank_wdi
2019177,661world_bank_wdi
2020178,250world_bank_wdi
2021178,522world_bank_wdi
2022178,781world_bank_wdi
2023179,285world_bank_wdi
2024179,744world_bank_wdi
2025180,149world_bank_wdi

GDP (current US$)

Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.

View GDP (current US$) data table
PeriodValueSource
2016$1,868,544,444world_bank_wdi
2017$1,998,503,704world_bank_wdi
2018$2,060,955,556world_bank_wdi
2019$2,090,074,074world_bank_wdi
2020$1,521,740,741world_bank_wdi
2021$1,871,111,111world_bank_wdi
2022$2,319,888,889world_bank_wdi
2023$2,441,259,259world_bank_wdi
2024$2,605,148,148world_bank_wdi
2025$2,656,444,444world_bank_wdi

International migrant stock (immigrants)

Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.

View International migrant stock (immigrants) data table
PeriodValueSource
20208,338world_bank_wdi
20248,079world_bank_wdi

International emigrant stock

Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.

View International emigrant stock data table
PeriodValueSource
199014,018un_migrant_stock_2024
199515,676un_migrant_stock_2024
200017,419un_migrant_stock_2024
200517,110un_migrant_stock_2024
201017,985un_migrant_stock_2024
201519,620un_migrant_stock_2024
202020,127un_migrant_stock_2024
202421,706un_migrant_stock_2024

Net migration

Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.

View Net migration data table
PeriodValueSource
2016-57world_bank_wdi
2017-38world_bank_wdi
2018-18world_bank_wdi
20190world_bank_wdi
20200world_bank_wdi
20210world_bank_wdi
20220world_bank_wdi
20230world_bank_wdi
2024-7world_bank_wdi
2025-23world_bank_wdi

Sources & Methodology

Current statistical observations include their reference period and provenance. Reference fields from approved source datasets are attributed below. Missing information is left unknown rather than inferred.

IndicatorValuePeriodSourceStatus
Population180,1492025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
UN Population Division population estimate180,4882026UN Population Division Data PortalEstimated
Wikidata population (fallback)167,5912023WikidataReported
International migrant stock (immigrants)8,0792024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
International migrant stock4.5%2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
International emigrant stock21,7062024UN DESA International Migrant Stock 2024Estimated
Net migration-232025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Refugees hosted52025UNHCR Refugee Population StatisticsVerified
Asylum seekers hosted02025UNHCR Refugee Population StatisticsVerified
Refugees from this country1992025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Asylum seekers from this country2422025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Same-sex sexual activityYes Legal since 2025currentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Recognition of same-sex relationshipsNocurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Same-sex marriageNocurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Same-sex adoptionNocurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Open military serviceHas no militarycurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Sexual-orientation anti-discrimination lawYes Bans some anti-gay discriminationcurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
Gender identity / expression lawNocurrentWikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territoryReported
GDP (current US$)$2,656,444,4442025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
GDP per capita (current US$)$14,7462025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
GDP growth-0.6%2025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Inflation, consumer prices2.0%2025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Unemployment9.5%2025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Income levelUpper middle incomecurrentWorld Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Life expectancy at birth72.8 years2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Fertility rate1.42024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Urban population29.1%2025World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Individuals using the Internet68.2%2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Secondary school enrolment, gross87.9%2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Government education expenditure3.8%2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Access to electricity100.0%2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Renewable energy consumption9.7%2022World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Current health expenditure4.7%2023World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Infant mortality rate15.8 per 1,0002024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Forest area34.0%2023World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Mobile cellular subscriptions98.7 per 1002022World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Fixed broadband subscriptions13.6 per 1002022World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Secure Internet servers734 per million2024World Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Latitude14.0000°currentWorld Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Longitude-60.9832°currentWorld Bank — World Development IndicatorsVerified
Latitude (Wikidata)13.8833°currentWikidataReported
Longitude (Wikidata)-60.9667°currentWikidataReported
Time zoneUTC−04:00, America/St_LuciacurrentWikidataReported
Form of governmentconstitutional monarchycurrentWikidataReported

Data attribution

Credits below are generated from sources actually used by this country profile. Source-specific terms take precedence.

  • CIA World Factbook, final 2025 country profile (structured via factbook.json). Accessed September 20, 2026. U.S. Government public-domain data; retained as a reference source where a newer approved field is not available. Source · Terms/licence
  • United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024; data access/processing via Our World in Data. Accessed September 20, 2026. Underlying UN dataset used under CC BY 3.0 IGO. Source · Terms/licence
  • United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Prospects (WPP indicator 49) Accessed September 19, 2026. Used under CC BY 3.0 IGO; current-year WPP population values are presented as estimates/projections where applicable. Source · Terms/licence
  • UNHCR Refugee Population Statistics Database. Accessed September 19, 2026. Used under CC BY 4.0 except where a dataset identifies a different source or licence. Source · Terms/licence
  • Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Country-Year Dataset v16 (variables: availability) Accessed September 20, 2026. Used under CC BY-SA 4.0; V-Dem measures are expert-coded/modelled and no V-Dem endorsement is implied. Source · Terms/licence
  • Wikidata structured data (CC0). Accessed September 20, 2026. Attribution is provided by Knelstrom for provenance although CC0 does not require it. Source · Terms/licence
  • Wikipedia, “LGBTQ rights by country or territory” (source revision/data fields: Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Gender identity / expression law, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Open military service, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Recognition of same-sex relationships, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex adoption, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex marriage, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex sexual activity, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Sexual-orientation anti-discrimination law) Accessed September 20, 2026. Used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Knelstrom changes formatting and presents the imported material as a community-edited legal-status summary, not legal advice or a Knelstrom rights score. Source · Terms/licence
  • World Bank, World Development Indicators (series: AG.LND.FRST.ZS, country_metadata, EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS, EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS, FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG, IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.BBND.P2, IT.NET.SECR.P6, IT.NET.USER.ZS, NY.GDP.MKTP.CD, NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG, NY.GDP.PCAP.CD, SE.SEC.ENRR, SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS, SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS, SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS, SM.POP.ASYS.EO, SM.POP.NETM, SM.POP.RHCR.EO, SM.POP.TOTL, SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, SP.DYN.IMRT.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.IN, SP.DYN.TFRT.IN, SP.POP.TOTL, SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS) Accessed September 20, 2026. Data used under CC BY 4.0; Knelstrom presentation/formatting may differ from the source. Source · Terms/licence

Knelstrom does not imply endorsement by any listed data provider.

Last automated statistical refresh: 2026-09-20 02:10:30