Country Profile: Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a picturesque Caribbean island located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its volcanic mountains and lush valleys. With a population estimated at 168,038 in 2024, the nation thrives on a tourism-based economy while remaining a major producer of bananas and other tropical commodities. Governed as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Saint Lucia gained independence from the UK on February 22, 1979.

Geography

Saint Lucia has a total area of 616 sq km, characterized by volcanic terrain and a tropical climate, with a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from May to August. The island's coastline extends 158 km, and it boasts a unique landscape featuring the iconic twin peaks of the Pitons.

Highest Point: Mount Gimie at 948 m
Total Land Area: 606 sq km
Climate: Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds
Natural Hazards: Vulnerable to hurricanes and volcanic activity
Forested Land: 34% of total land area (2022 est.)

People and Society

Saint Lucia's population predominantly consists of individuals of Black or African descent (85.3%), with a rich cultural heritage reflected in its languages and religions. The official language is English, while Saint Lucian Creole is widely spoken. The life expectancy at birth is approximately 79.4 years.

Estimated Population (2024): 168,038
Urban Population: 19.2% of the total population (2023)
Median Age: 39.7 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 11.4 births/1,000 population (2024)
Infant Mortality Rate: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024)

Economy

Saint Lucia's economy is classified as upper middle-income and highly dependent on tourism, with a GDP projected to reach $4.359 billion in 2024. The country faces challenges due to its small-scale agricultural sector, with key exports including refined petroleum and bananas.

GDP per Capita (2024): $24,300
Unemployment Rate: 11% (2024)
Economic Growth Rate: 3.9% (2024 est.)
Main Industries: Tourism, beverages, clothing, and agricultural products
Poverty Rate: Approximately 25% of the population (2015)

Government

Saint Lucia operates as a parliamentary democracy and is a member of the Commonwealth realm. The Chief of State is King Charles III, represented by the Governor-General. The legislative framework consists of a bicameral parliament, and the most recent election occurred on July 26, 2021.

Independence: February 22, 1979
National Holiday: Independence Day on February 22
Voting Age: Universal suffrage at 18 years
Political Parties: Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and United Workers Party (UWP)
Legislative Structure: Houses of Parliament (bicameral)

Military and Security

Saint Lucia does not maintain a regular military force; instead, security is provided by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. The country is a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System, which facilitates joint efforts in national security and emergency response among its member states.

Security Forces: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF)
Military Membership: Caribbean Regional Security System since 1982

Energy

The energy sector in Saint Lucia is largely reliant on imported fossil fuels, with 98% of electricity generation from fossil fuels. The country's total installed generating capacity is 93,000 kW, ensuring that 100% of the population has access to electricity.

Electricity Consumption (2023): 365.178 million kWh
Carbon Dioxide Emissions (2023): 605,000 metric tonnes
Renewable Energy Sources: Solar contributes 2% of total installed capacity (2023)
Refined Petroleum Consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023)

Environment

Saint Lucia faces environmental challenges such as deforestation and soil erosion, particularly in the northern regions. It is a party to various international agreements on biodiversity and climate change.

Forested Land (2022): 34% of total land area
Major Environmental Issues: Deforestation and soil erosion
International Environmental Agreements: Member of both the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 2 airports and 3 ports, facilitating both tourist and trade activities. The country's major ports are located in Castries and Grand Cul de Sac Bay.

Total Airports: 2 (as of 2025)
Total Ports: 3 (including those with oil terminals)

Communications

Saint Lucia has a growing communications sector, with a significant percentage of the population having access to the internet and mobile phones.

Internet Users: 74% of the population (2022)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 176,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - Fixed Lines: 31,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	168,038	Estimated for 2024
Area	616 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$4.359 billion	Estimated for 2024
GDP per capita	$24,300	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	11%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	11.4 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	79.4 years	Estimated for 2024