Country Profile: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation located in the Caribbean, characterized by a volcanic and mountainous terrain. The country has a population of approximately 100,647 residents, predominantly of African descent, with English and Vincentian Creole as the main languages. The economy is primarily agricultural, with key sectors including tourism and the cultivation of crops such as bananas and spices. Governed as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, the country has made strides in diversifying its economy despite facing challenges from natural disasters.

Geography

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, just north of Trinidad and Tobago. The islands cover a total area of 389 square kilometers, with the highest point at La Soufrière reaching 1,234 meters. The country experiences a tropical climate with little seasonal temperature variation, marked by a rainy season from May to November.

344 sq km is the land area of Saint Vincent.
84 km of coastline surrounds the islands.
73.2% of the land is covered by forest (2023).

People and Society

As of 2024, the population is estimated at 100,647, with a slight male majority. The society is diverse, with ethnic groups comprising 71.2% of African descent and a variety of other backgrounds. English is the official language, and a high percentage of the population identifies as Protestant. The urban population is concentrated primarily in and around the capital, Kingstown.

18.8% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2024).
77.2 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024).
11.72 births per 1,000 population is the birth rate (2025).

Economy

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has an upper middle-income economy primarily driven by agriculture and tourism. In 2024, the estimated real GDP is $1.883 billion, with a significant portion of the economy dedicated to the services sector. Since recent volcanic eruptions, efforts have been made to diversify the economy beyond traditional agriculture.

3.5% of GDP comes from agriculture (2024).
66.4% of GDP is derived from services (2024).
18.1% is the unemployment rate (2024).

Government

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines operates under a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth realm. The head of state is King Charles III, represented locally by a Governor-General. The country has six administrative divisions and a unicameral legislature with 22 seats. The legal system is based on English common law.

Independent since: 27 October 1979.
Voting age: 18 years, with universal suffrage.
Next general election: Scheduled for November 2030.

Military and Security

The nation does not maintain a regular military force. Instead, security is managed by the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. The country participates in the Caribbean Regional Security System, formed to provide regional cooperation in times of national emergencies and security threats.

Member since: 1982 in the Caribbean Regional Security System.
Chief security agency: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (2025).

Energy

Electricity access in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is universal, with total electrification reported at 100% as of 2022. The energy generation is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, although there is a notable contribution from hydroelectric sources.

Installed generating capacity: 55,000 kW (2023).
86.1% of electricity comes from fossil fuels (2023).

Environment

The country faces several environmental challenges including pollution of coastal waters and deforestation. It participates in various international environmental agreements, indicating a commitment to addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.

73.2% of land is forested (2023).
268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions are reported (2023).

Transportation

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines features five airports and a small merchant marine fleet. The primary port is located in Kingstown, which serves as the central hub for maritime activities within the country.

Ports: 1 key port (Kingstown) serves the country (2024).
Airports: 5 (2025).

Communications

The country demonstrates robust communication access, with approximately 76% of the population using the internet. Mobile cellular subscriptions are prevalent, indicating a well-connected society.

Internet users: 76% of the population (2023).
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 103,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	100,647 (2024 est.)
Area	389 sq km
GDP	$1.883 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP at purchasing power parity
Unemployment Rate	18.1% (2024 est.)	% of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	77.2 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	11.72 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	37.253 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Total Electricity Consumption	140.316 million kWh (2023 est.)
Urban Population	54.3% (2023)
Forest Coverage	73.2% (2023)