Country Profile: Saint Martin

Saint Martin is a unique island situated in the Caribbean, known for its dual governance by France and the Netherlands, resulting in a division of the island into distinct territories. The French portion, an overseas collectivity of France, is characterized by its tourism-driven economy, with a population of approximately 33,000 residents. Despite facing significant challenges from natural disasters and external economic factors like COVID-19, Saint Martin's strategic location and cultural richness contribute to its resilience.

Geography

Saint Martin is located in the northern Leeward Islands, east of the US Virgin Islands, and is renowned for its stunning coastlines and diverse geography. The island covers a total area of 50 sq km, with a coastline of approximately 58.9 km. Its highest point, Pic du Paradis, reaches 424 m, while it is subject to hurricanes from July to November.

• 18.05 N, 63.57 W: Geographic coordinates.
• 16 km: Land boundary shared with Sint Maarten.
• 24.8%: Forest area as of 2022.
• 0%: Agricultural land usage as of 2022.
• 75.2%: Other land use as of 2022.

People and Society

The population of Saint Martin is estimated to be around 33,093 as of 2025, with a diverse ethnic composition, including Creole, Black, and White communities. The official languages are French and Dutch, with English and several Creole dialects also widely spoken. The island has a young demographic, with about 24.7% of its residents under the age of 15.

• 13.78 births/1,000: Birth rate as of 2025.
• 81 years: Life expectancy at birth as of 2024.
• 100%: Access to improved drinking water.
• 3.9%: Education expenditure of GDP as of 2023.
• 0.92 male(s)/female: Sex ratio across the total population.

Economy

Saint Martin's economy is primarily reliant on tourism, with a GDP of approximately $649.206 million in 2021. The island faces challenges due to its import dependency and the impacts of hurricanes and global events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, it boasts a vibrant duty-free commerce sector and caters to yachting enthusiasts.

• 4.9%: Real GDP growth rate in 2021.
• -12.5%: Real GDP growth rate in 2020.
• 35%: Percentage of exports going to the United States as of 2019.
• 76%: Imports from the United States as of 2019.
• 0.924: Estimated exchange rate of euros per US dollar in 2024.

Government

Saint Martin operates as a parliamentary democracy and an overseas collectivity of France. Its capital is Marigot, which serves as the administrative and economic center of the island. The Territorial Council governs the island, and the citizens participate in elections every five years.

• Emmanuel Macron: President of France since May 2017.
• Louis Mussington: President of the Territorial Council since April 2022.
• 23 seats: Total number of seats in the unicameral Territorial Council.
• 18 years: Minimum voting age with universal suffrage.
• Fête de la Fédération: Celebrated on July 14, marking France's national holiday.

Military and Security

Saint Martin does not maintain regular military forces; instead, defense responsibilities are under France. The island's policing is managed by the Sint Maarten Police Force.

• 100%: Electrification rate as of 2022.
• 156: Estimated refugees as of 2024.

Energy

Saint Martin enjoys complete access to electricity, illustrating the island's commitment to infrastructure.

• 100%: Electrification of the total population as of 2022.

Environment

The island faces environmental challenges, including waste management and limited freshwater resources. Its natural beauty is marred by issues like marine resource over-exploitation and pollution affecting coral reefs.

• 15,500 tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually as of 2024.
• 24.8%: Forest land use as of 2022.

Transportation

Saint Martin has one airport, facilitating both tourism and trade, essential for its economy.

• 1 airport: Operational as of 2025.

Communications

Saint Martin's communication infrastructure includes access to mobile and internet services, with a notable portion of the population utilizing these technologies.

• 48.5%: Internet penetration rate as of 2022.
• 68,840: Mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2012.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	33,093 (2025 est.)
Area	50 sq km
GDP	$649.206 million	2021 est.
Electricity Access	100%	2022 est.
Birth Rate	13.78 births/1,000	2025 est.
Life Expectancy	81 years	2024 est.
Median Age	34.3 years	2025 est.
Infant Mortality Rate	6.3 deaths/1,000	2025 est.
Unemployment Rate	Not available
Forest Area	24.8%	2022 est.