Country Profile: Saint Martin

Saint Martin is a unique island in the Caribbean, partially governed by France as an overseas collectivity. The French portion of the island is known for its stunning beaches and vibrant tourism sector, making it a popular destination for travelers. The island has a diverse population, reflecting a mix of various ethnic backgrounds and languages. Its economy heavily relies on tourism, while governance is characterized by a parliamentary democracy aligned with French laws.

Geography

Saint Martin is located in the Caribbean, in the northern Leeward Islands, and features a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees Celsius year-round. The island covers an area of 50 square kilometers, with a coastline measuring approximately 58.9 kilometers. It shares a 16-kilometer border with Sint Maarten, making it the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two self-governing entities.

50 sq km: Total area of the island.
58.9 km: Length of the coastline.
424 m: Highest point, Pic du Paradis.
0%: Agricultural land usage (2022 estimate).
24.8%: Forested area (2022 estimate).
Hurricane season: July to November.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 33,093 in 2025, Saint Martin exhibits a diverse demographic structure, with a mixture of Creole, Black, White, and East Indian communities. The population is primarily concentrated along the coast, particularly around the capital, Marigot. The official language is French, but English and several Creole dialects are also widely spoken.

24.7%: Population aged 0-14 years.
64.5%: Population aged 15-64 years.
81 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
1.8 children: Total fertility rate (2025 estimate).
13.78 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 estimate).
100%: Access to improved drinking water.

Economy

Saint Martin operates as a high-income economy heavily reliant on tourism, which suffered significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was further impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017. The local economy is characterized by duty-free commerce and off-shore banking, with a GDP projected at $649.206 million in 2021.

4.9%: Real GDP growth rate (2021 estimate).
-12.5%: Real GDP growth rate (2020 estimate).
76%: Percentage of imports from the United States (2019).
35%: Exports to the United States (2019).

Government

Saint Martin is a parliamentary democracy and an overseas collectivity of France, where the legal system follows French civil law. The capital city, Marigot, serves as the political and administrative center. The governance structure includes a Territorial Council, and suffrage is universal at 18 years of age.

President: Emmanuel Macron (since May 14, 2017).
Next election: Expected in 2027.
23: Total seats in the Territorial Council.
3: National holidays observed, including Fête de la Fédération (July 14).

Military and Security

Saint Martin does not maintain regular military forces; defense responsibilities are held by France. Local security is managed by the Police Force of Sint Maarten.

156: Estimated refugees and internally displaced persons (2024).

Energy

Saint Martin enjoys full electrification, with 100% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022.

Environment

Environmental challenges for Saint Martin include waste management, limited freshwater resources, and the over-exploitation of marine resources. The island's average temperatures and rainfall patterns make it susceptible to hurricanes, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season.

15,500 tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 estimate).

Transportation

The island has one airport, which is critical for tourism and connectivity.

Communications

Saint Martin has a growing communications sector with internet penetration at approximately 48.5% of the population (2022 estimate) and a variety of media outlets including local TV and radio stations.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	33,093 (2025 est.)
Area	50 sq km
GDP	$649.206 million	(2021 est.)
Life Expectancy	81 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	13.78 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.8 children/woman	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	Not provided
Energy Consumption	Not provided
Electric Access	100%	(2022 est.)