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Photos of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The national bird of St. Kitts and Nevis is the brown pelican.  Brown pelicans are the smallest species of pelican; males and females are 0.9 to 1.5 meters long (3 to 5 ft) and weigh over 3 kg (7 lbs). These pelicans are native to Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas along the Gulf Coast, Central Californina, south to the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil, south-central Chile, and the Galapagos Islands.  Brown Pelicans feed on mid-size fish and are the only species of pelican that hunts with dramatic plunging dives, flying as high as 30 m (100 ft) before folding back their wings and plunging into the water.  The skin pouch suspended from the lower half its bill holds two or three times more than the bird's stomach—about one gallon of water and fish.  The bird will hold its catch and drain the water from its mouth before swallowing. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Introduction

Background

Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. During the 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for British and French expansion into the Caribbean. The French ceded the territory to the UK in 1713. At the turn of the 18th century, Saint Kitts was the richest British Crown Colony per capita in the Caribbean, a result of the sugar trade. Although small in size and separated by only 3 km (2 mi) of water, Saint Kitts and Nevis were viewed and governed as different states until the late-19th century, when the British forcibly unified them along with the island of Anguilla. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority.

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Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Geography

Location

Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates

17 20 N, 62 45 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total : 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

land: 261 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 211

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

135 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain

volcanic with mountainous interiors

Elevation

highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Land use

agricultural land: 23.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 42.3% (2018 est.)

other: 34.6% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

8 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to October)

volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Geography - note

smallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in terms of area and population; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of baseball-bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island

People and Society

Population

total: 55,133

male: 27,599

female: 27,534 (2024 est.)

comparison rankings: female 207; male 207; total 207

Nationality

noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian

Ethnic groups

African descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Religions

Protestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 5,314/female 5,277)

15-64 years: 68.1% (male 18,944/female 18,575)

65 years and over: 12.7% (2024 est.) (male 3,341/female 3,682)

2023 population pyramid:
2023 population pyramid

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 41.7

youth dependency ratio: 28

elderly dependency ratio: 13.7

potential support ratio: 7.3 (2021)

Median age

total: 38.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 38.8 years

female: 38.3 years

comparison ranking: total 72

Population growth rate

0.56% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 147

Birth rate

11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 153

Death rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 106

Net migration rate

1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 64

Population distribution

population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands

Urbanization

urban population: 31.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030File Icon

Major urban areas - population

14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 147

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 75.2 years

female: 80.1 years

comparison ranking: total population 89

Total fertility rate

1.76 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 146

Gross reproduction rate

0.87 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 98.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)

Current health expenditure

5.4% of GDP (2020)

Physician density

2.77 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 87.3% of population

rural: 87.3% of population

total: 87.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 12.7% of population

rural: 12.7% of population

total: 12.7% of population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2016)

comparison ranking: 71

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 8.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 1.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 3.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 36

Education expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: 176

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 19 years (2015)

Environment

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Land use

agricultural land: 23.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 19.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 42.3% (2018 est.)

other: 34.6% (2018 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 31.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030File Icon

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

comparison ranking: 193

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

comparison ranking: 111

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 8.05 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.24 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.1 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,892 tons (2015 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 200,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total renewable water resources

20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis

former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

etymology: Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak

note: Nevis is pronounced nee-vis

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name: Basseterre

geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the French name translates as "low land" in English; the reference is to the city's low-lying location within a valley, as well as to the fact that the city is on the leeward (downwind) part of the island, and is thus a safe anchorage

Administrative divisions

14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point

Independence

19 September 1983 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Legal system

English common law

Constitution

history: several previous (preindependence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; amendments to constitutional provisions such as the sovereignty of the federation, fundamental rights and freedoms, the judiciary, and the Nevis Island Assembly also require approval in a referendum by at least two thirds of the votes cast in Saint Kitts and in Nevis

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 14 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Marcella LIBURD (since 1 February 2023)

head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance DREW (since 6 August 2022)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly (15 seats, including the attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 5 August 2022 (next to be held on 2027)

election results: percent of vote by party - SKNLP 44.4%, PLP 16.1%, PAM 16.2%, CCM 12.7%, other 10.6%; seats by party - SKNLP 6, CCM 3, PLP 1, CCM 1; composition - men 11, women 5, percentage women 31.3%

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 assigned to Saint Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by His Majesty, King Charles III; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts: magistrates' courts

Political parties

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM
Nevis Reformation Party or NRP
People's Action Movement or PAM
People's Labour Party or PLP
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jacinth HENRY-MARTIN (since 15 September 2023)

chancery: 1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636

FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740

email address and website:
[email protected]

Embassy of St.Kitts and Nevis to the USA – and Permanent Mission to the OAS (embassydc.gov.kn)

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis

Flag description

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism

National symbol(s)

brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white

National anthem

name: "Oh Land of Beauty!"

lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

note: adopted 1983

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, tourism-based Caribbean OECS economy; better debt balancing; CARICOM and ECCU member; growing offshore financial and telecommunications hub; environmentally fragile; unique citizenship-driven growth model

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.438 billion (2023 est.)
$1.39 billion (2022 est.)
$1.258 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 204

Real GDP growth rate

3.43% (2023 est.)
10.52% (2022 est.)
0.48% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 94

Real GDP per capita

$30,100 (2023 est.)
$29,200 (2022 est.)
$26,400 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 77

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.077 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.56% (2023 est.)
2.67% (2022 est.)
1.2% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 69

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 30% (2017 est.)

services: 68.9% (2017 est.)

comparison rankings: services 77; industry 77; agriculture 196

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 41.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 25.9% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 62.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -60.4% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

coconuts, tropical fruits, root vegetables, vegetables, eggs, pulses, tomatoes, beef, sweet potatoes, watermelons (2022)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Industrial production growth rate

-2.4% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 186

Remittances

3.48% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.83% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.32% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $286 million (2020 est.)

expenditures: $324 million (2020 est.)

Public debt

62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 71

Taxes and other revenues

15.04% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 139

Current account balance

-$143.262 million (2023 est.)
-$105.744 million (2022 est.)
-$43.725 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 102

Exports

$577.568 million (2023 est.)
$546.373 million (2022 est.)
$389.355 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 190

Exports - partners

US 61%, India 7%, Trinidad and Tobago 5%, Germany 4%, Canada 3% (2022)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

measuring instruments, broadcasting equipment, electrical transformers, electrical control boards, ships (2022)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$674.134 million (2023 est.)
$606.301 million (2022 est.)
$407.417 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 198

Imports - partners

US 47%, Italy 9%, Turkey 6%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, China 5% (2022)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, jewelry (2022)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$286.075 million (2023 est.)
$293.98 million (2022 est.)
$337.533 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 168

Debt - external

$201.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 187

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
2.7 (2023 est.)
2.7 (2022 est.)
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)
2.7 (2019 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 72,000 kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 177.455 million kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 39.522 million kWh (2022 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 32; consumption 190; installed generating capacity 190

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 97.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

272,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 272,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 200

Energy consumption per capita

77.743 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: 66

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 16,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 180

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 57,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 206

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is 120 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 1-869; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the SSCS submarine cables providing connectivity for numerous Caribbean Islands (2019)

Broadcast media

the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2019)

Internet users

total: 37,920 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 79% (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total 205

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 30,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: total 154

Transportation

Airports

2 (2024)

comparison ranking: 206

Heliports

1 (2024)

Railways

total: 50 km (2008)

narrow gauge: 50 km (2008) 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists

comparison ranking: total 133

Roadways

total: 383 km

paved: 163 km

unpaved: 220 km (2002)

comparison ranking: total 202

Merchant marine

total: 341 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 16, general cargo 85, oil tanker 59, other 159

comparison ranking: total 53

Ports

total ports: 2 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 0

very small: 2

ports with oil terminals: 2

key ports: Basseterre, Charlestown

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Ministry of National Security: St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF), St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (2024)

note: the Nevis Police Force includes the paramilitary Special Services Unit

Military and security service personnel strengths

less than 500 active personnel (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the SKNDF is lightly armed with equipment from Belgium, the UK, and the US (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (under 18 with written parental permission); no conscription (2023)

Military - note

SKNDF's missions include defense of the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, protecting natural resources, interdicting narcotics trafficking, and providing humanitarian relief as needed

St. Kitts joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1984; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2024)

Transnational Issues

Illicit drugs

a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean; some local demand for cocaine and some use of synthetic drugs