Country Profile: Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten, located in the Caribbean, is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, known for its vibrant tourism-based economy, picturesque landscapes, and unique cultural blend. The island has a population of approximately 46,738 as of 2025, with a high urbanization rate and a diverse ethnic makeup. Governed as a parliamentary democracy, Sint Maarten enjoys autonomy in internal matters while the Dutch government oversees defense and foreign relations. The island's economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has faced challenges from natural disasters and global crises, notably Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Geography

Sint Maarten is located in the northern portion of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, sharing its landmass with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. The island features a tropical marine climate moderated by trade winds, with a terrain primarily characterized by low hills of volcanic origin. Its total area is 34 square kilometers, with an extensive coastline of 58.9 kilometers.

34 sq km - Total area, making it roughly one-fifth the size of Washington, D.C.
12 nm - Territorial sea limit.
200 nm - Exclusive economic zone.
58.9 km - Coastline length.
39% - Percentage of the island held by the Dutch.

People and Society

The population of Sint Maarten is estimated at 46,738 in 2025, with a median age of 40.8 years. The island is home to a diverse array of ethnicities, with a significant presence of individuals from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica. English is the official language, while various religious beliefs coexist, predominantly Protestant and Roman Catholic.

100% - Urban population as of 2023.
12 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2025 est.).
79.7 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
1.1% - Population growth rate (2025 est.).
52.8 - Total dependency ratio (2025 est.).
7.5 deaths/1,000 - Infant mortality rate (2025 est.).

Economy

Sint Maarten operates a high-income, tourism-driven economy with a GDP (PPP) estimated at $1.986 billion for 2024. The economy has struggled in recent years due to the impacts of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic but has shown signs of recovery. The island has no property taxes and acts as a re-exporter to Saint Martin.

$1.986 billion - Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
3.5% - Projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
89.3% - GDP contribution from the services sector.
3% of GDP - Remittances (2023 est.).
$1.504 billion - Total exports in 2023.
$1.489 billion - Total imports in 2023.

Government

Sint Maarten is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with full internal autonomy granted in 2010. The government is led by a Prime Minister, currently Luc Mercelina, and the Dutch monarch is represented by a Governor. The island's political system features a unicameral legislature with 15 members elected for four-year terms.

18 years - Voting age for universal suffrage.
15 - Total seats in the Parliament of Sint Maarten.
46.7% - Percentage of women in Parliament.
UTC-4 - Time zone relative to Washington, D.C.
King's Day - National holiday celebrated on April 27.

Military and Security

Sint Maarten does not maintain regular military forces, with defense managed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The island is policed by the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), which receives support from various Dutch Caribbean security agencies.

No regular military - Defense is managed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
KPSM - Primary police force responsible for internal security.

Energy

Sint Maarten boasts 100% electrification of its population as of 2022, signifying complete access to electricity across the island.

Environment

Environmental challenges in Sint Maarten include water scarcity and pollution from various sources. The island faces a tropical marine climate with an average rainfall of 150 cm per year and is susceptible to hurricanes during the peak season from July to November.

10.9% - Forest cover as of 2022.
0% - Agricultural land use (2022 est.).

Transportation

Sint Maarten is served by one airport and has two ports, with significant facilities such as the Coles Bay Oil Terminal. These transportation hubs support both tourism and commerce.

1 airport - Operational in 2025.
2 ports - Total number of ports (2024).

Communications

The island has a high mobile cellular subscription rate with approximately 205 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants as of 2022. Internet penetration is also significant, with 89.5% of the population being internet users.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	46,738 (2025 est.)
Area	34 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.986 billion (2024)
Birth Rate	12 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	79.7 years	(2024 est.)
Total Dependency Ratio	52.8	(2025 est.)
Electrification	100%	(2022 est.)
Urban Population	100%	(2023)
Infant Mortality Rate	7.5 deaths/1,000	(2025 est.)
Total Ports	2	(2024)