Country Profile: Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a dual-island nation located in the Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela, known for its rich natural resources, particularly petroleum and natural gas. With a population of approximately 1.4 million, it boasts a diverse society influenced by its colonial history and a mixture of cultures. The economy is classified as high-income, heavily reliant on hydrocarbon exports, and key sectors include tourism and finance. Despite its wealth, the government faces challenges related to crime and public debt.

Geography

Trinidad and Tobago is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean with a tropical climate, characterized by a rainy season from June to December. The country's terrain primarily consists of plains, with some hills and low mountains. Notable natural features include the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt, Pitch Lake.

• 5,128 sq km: Total land area, slightly smaller than Delaware.
• 362 km: Total length of coastline.
• 940 m: Highest point, El Cerro del Aripo.
• 10.5%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022).
• 44.3%: Percentage of forest cover (2022).

People and Society

The population of Trinidad and Tobago is estimated at 1,408,966 in 2024, with a diverse ethnic composition that includes 35.4% of East Indian descent and 34.2% of African descent. English is the official language, while various Creole dialects and other languages are also spoken. The society is religiously diverse, with notable representations of Protestantism, Hinduism, and Roman Catholicism.

• 38.5 years: Median age (2024).
• 76.5 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
• 10.5 births/1,000: Birth rate (2024).
• 85%: Internet usage rate among the population (2023).
• 54 deaths/100,000: Maternal mortality ratio (2023).

Economy

Trinidad and Tobago exhibits a high-income economy, primarily driven by hydrocarbon exports. The GDP for 2024 is estimated at $43.362 billion (PPP), with significant contributions from tourism and finance. Despite its economic strengths, the nation faces challenges such as inflation and high public debt levels.

• $31,700: GDP per capita (2024).
• 4.6%: Unemployment rate (2024).
• 1.7%: Projected GDP growth rate (2024).
• $11.087 billion: Estimated exports (2024).
• 0.8%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024).

Government

Trinidad and Tobago operates as a parliamentary republic, with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The country gained independence from the UK on August 31, 1962. The political landscape is characterized by multiple parties, with the People's National Movement (PNM) and United National Congress (UNC) being the most prominent.

• President: Christine Kangaloo (since 2023).
• Prime Minister: Kamla Persad-Bissessar (since 2025).
• 42: Seats in the House of Representatives.
• 31: Seats in the Senate.
• 18 years: Minimum voting age for universal suffrage.

Military and Security

The Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) is tasked with conducting national defense and security operations, supported by a police force. The country faces challenges related to crime, requiring effective security measures.

• 5,000: Estimated strength of the Defense Forces (2025).
• 0.9%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024).
• 18-25 years: Age range for voluntary military service.
• 100%: Total electrification of the population (2022).
• 492 million kWh: Electricity transmission losses (2023).

Energy

Trinidad and Tobago has a robust energy sector, primarily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and petroleum. Electricity access is universal, and the country's energy production largely supports its economy.

• 99.9%: Percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023).
• 25,994 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
• 72,000 bbl/day: Petroleum production (2023).
• 9.001 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
• 100%: Electricity access for the entire population (2022).

Environment

Environmental concerns in Trinidad and Tobago include water pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources. The country is active in various international environmental agreements but still faces challenges in managing its ecosystems.

• 727,874 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2010).
• 3.84 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2020).
• 10.26 µg/m³: Particulate matter emissions (2019).
• 240 million cubic meters: Total municipal water withdrawal (2020).
• 44.3%: Forest area as a percentage of total land (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,408,966	Estimated for 2024
Area	5,128 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$43.362 billion	PPP for 2024
Unemployment	4.6%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	10.5 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	76.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	100%	Total population electrified in 2022
Military Expenditure	0.9%	Percentage of GDP (2024)
Natural Gas Production	25.994 billion cubic meters	Estimated for 2023
Forest Cover	44.3%	Estimated for 2022