Country Profile: Saint Martin

Saint Martin, a Caribbean island divided between French and Dutch territories, boasts a diverse history dating back to its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Covering an area of 50 square kilometers, the island features a population of approximately 33,000 people, concentrated primarily along its picturesque coastline. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism, particularly following the devastation from Hurricane Irma in 2017, which caused significant damage to infrastructure. Governed as a French Overseas Collectivity, Saint Martin operates under a parliamentary democracy, reflecting its unique blend of cultures and governance.

Geography

Saint Martin is located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, east of the US Virgin Islands. The island covers an area of 50 square kilometers and has a coastline stretching 58.9 kilometers. Its highest point is Pic du Paradis, rising 424 meters above sea level, while the climate features warm temperatures and a hurricane season from July to November.

50 sq km: Total land area
58.9 km: Coastline length
424 m: Highest elevation at Pic du Paradis
24.8% (2022): Forest coverage of the island
0% (2022): Agricultural land use

People and Society

The estimated population of Saint Martin is around 33,093 as of 2025, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Creole, Black, and East Indian communities. The predominant language is French, alongside Dutch and various Creole languages. The age structure reflects a relatively young population, with a median age of 34.3 years, and the island exhibits a life expectancy of 81 years.

33,093: Estimated population in 2025
81 years: Life expectancy at birth in 2024
0.29%: Population growth rate (2025 est.)
13.78 births/1,000: Birth rate in 2025
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births: Infant mortality rate (2025 est.)

Economy

Saint Martin has a high-income economy primarily supported by tourism, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Irma. The GDP was approximately $649 million in 2021, with significant contributions from the tourism sector and offshore banking. The economy is characterized by duty-free commerce and a reliance on imports, with the majority of goods coming from the United States.

$649.206 million: GDP estimate for 2021
4.9% (2021): Real GDP growth rate post-COVID-19
35%: Exports to the United States (2019)
76%: Imports from the United States (2019)
100%: Electrification of the population (2022 est.)

Government

Saint Martin functions as an overseas collectivity of France, governed by a parliamentary democracy with a Territorial Council. The capital is Marigot, and the legal system is based on French civil law. The population has universal suffrage at 18 years, and citizenship follows French regulations. The current chief of state is President Emmanuel Macron, represented locally by Prefect Cyrille Le Vely.

23: Seats in the Territorial Council
43.5%: Percentage of women in the council
18 years: Universal suffrage age
2022: Last Territorial Council election date
3 April 2022: Date of the most recent election

Military and Security

Saint Martin does not maintain regular military forces, with defense responsibilities lying with France. Security is provided by the Police Force of Sint Maarten, ensuring law and order on the island.

No regular military forces: Security managed by the police
Defense responsibility: France

Energy

Saint Martin enjoys 100% electricity access, ensuring that all inhabitants can rely on a stable power source.

100%: Electrification of total population (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues facing Saint Martin include waste management challenges, salinity intrusions, and over-exploitation of marine resources. The island's land use is predominantly non-agricultural, with concerns regarding water pollution and coral reef damage.

15,500 tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
24.8%: Forest coverage (2022 est.)
0%: Agricultural land use (2022 est.)

Transportation

Saint Martin has one airport serving the island, facilitating travel and trade.

1: Total number of airports (2025)

Communications

Telecommunications infrastructure includes mobile subscriptions, with around 68,840 cellular subscriptions recorded in 2012. Internet access is available to nearly half of the population, reflecting growth in digital connectivity.

48.5%: Internet user percentage (2022 est.)
68,840: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2012 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	33,093 (2025 est.)
Area	50 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$649.206 million	Estimate for 2021
Electricity Access	100%	Total population electrified (2022 est.)
Birth Rate	13.78 births/1,000	2025 estimated rate
Life Expectancy	81 years	Estimated for 2024
Infant Mortality Rate	6.3 deaths/1,000	2025 estimated rate
Real GDP Growth Rate	4.9% (2021)	Post-COVID-19 recovery
Unemployment Rate	Data not present
Area - Comparative	More than one-third the size of Washington, D.C.