Country Profile: Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis, the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in area and population, is a twin-island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. The country boasts a tropical climate and a predominantly mountainous terrain shaped by volcanic activity. With a population of approximately 55,434 in 2025, the economy mainly thrives on tourism and has been diversifying into offshore financial services and telecommunications. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy, Saint Kitts and Nevis has a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the head of state.

Geography

Saint Kitts and Nevis is situated in the Caribbean, roughly one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. The two islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel known as The Narrows. The total land area of the country is approximately 261 sq km, with Saint Kitts covering 168 sq km and Nevis 93 sq km. The islands are characterized by volcanic mountains, with Mount Liamuiga being the highest point at 1,156 meters.

0 km of land boundaries.
135 km of coastline.
23.1% of land is agricultural (2023 est.).
42.3% of land is forested (2023 est.).
Climate is tropical with a rainy season from May to November.

People and Society

The estimated population of Saint Kitts and Nevis is 55,434 in 2025, with a near equal distribution of males and females. The nation is predominantly of African descent (92.5%), and English is the official language. The population has a median age of 39.1 years and a dependency ratio of 48.1.

19.2% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
31.1% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
11.58 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
Life expectancy at birth is 77.6 years (2024 est.).
74 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (2023 est.).

Economy

Saint Kitts and Nevis operates a high-income, tourism-driven economy, with a real GDP of $1.465 billion (2024 est.). The service sector accounts for the largest share of GDP at 65.5%, while the agricultural sector contributes about 1.3%. The country has been moving towards a citizenship-driven growth model and is a member of various regional economic organizations.

4.3% GDP growth rate (2023 est.).
$31,300 GDP per capita (2024 est.).
$504.391 million in exports (2024 est.).
$642.934 million in imports (2024 est.).
3.4% of GDP comes from remittances (2024 est.).

Government

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III as the head of state and Dr. Terrance Drew as the Prime Minister since August 2022. The capital, Basseterre, is located on Saint Kitts. The National Assembly is unicameral and consists of 16 members, with elections occurring every five years.

14 parishes serve as administrative divisions.
18 years is the minimum voting age.
31.3% representation of women in the National Assembly.
Independence was achieved on 19 September 1983 from the UK.

Military and Security

The St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF) is responsible for national defense and comprises approximately 200 active personnel. The force is lightly armed, with responsibilities including protecting territorial integrity and assisting police in combating crime. There is no military conscription, as service is voluntary.

Missions include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The SKNDF is involved in the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS).
Military service is open to individuals 18 years and older.

Energy

Electricity access in Saint Kitts and Nevis is universal, with an electrification rate of 100%. The country has an installed generating capacity of 72,000 kW (2023 est.), predominantly from fossil fuels (95%).

182.455 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023 est.).
2,000 bbl/day of refined petroleum consumed (2023 est.).
81.454 million Btu energy consumption per capita (2023 est.).

Environment

The environmental challenges faced by Saint Kitts and Nevis include deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is party to several international environmental agreements addressing biodiversity and climate change.

24 million cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
32,900 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).
269,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Saint Kitts and Nevis has two airports and an extensive merchant marine fleet totaling 341 vessels. The country has a limited railway system primarily for tourism, covering 50 km.

2 main ports, both very small.
1 heliport for air travel.

Communications

The telecommunications sector has seen significant growth, with 76% of the population using the internet by 2022. Mobile cellular subscriptions are at 119 per 100 inhabitants.

56,600 mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
22,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).
National state-operated TV and radio networks are available.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	55,434	Estimate for 2025
Area	261 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$1.465 billion	Estimate for 2024
GDP per capita	$31,300	Estimate for 2024
Unemployment rate	Not specified
Energy consumption	182.455 million kWh	Estimate for 2023
Birth rate	11.58 births/1,000 people	Estimate for 2025
Life expectancy at birth	77.6 years	Estimate for 2024
Deforestation impact	Significant	Deforestation reported
Total renewable water resources	24 million cubic meters	Estimate for 2022