SXM Sint Maarten profile

Sint Maarten operates as a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has its own parliament and a prime minister, while the Kingdom handles defense and foreign relations. Governance is conducted with a small public sector and a history of coalition governments, which can undermine policy continuity. Administrative capacity challenges include service delivery, procurement, and disaster response. Coordination with the French side of Saint Martin on security, immigration, and environmental management is essential but uneven. Fiscal space is constrained by a narrow revenue base and exposure to tourism cycles, increasing vulnerability to external shocks. Public transparency and anti-corruption oversight require ongoing strengthening.

Colonial history Colonized in 1493 by the Spanish, later French and Dutch territories
Former colonizer Spain, France, Netherlands
Government type Parliamentary democracy
Legal system Based on Dutch law
Political stability Generally stable but can be affected by economic issues

The economy is dominated by tourism and hospitality, supplemented by retail and transport services. Economic activity is highly exposed to external demand, travel patterns, and the island’s susceptibility to natural hazards. Diversification efforts exist but the economy remains dependent on a limited set of sectors, which risks growth volatility. Public revenue relies on tourism-related income and fees, constraining investment in core services and infrastructure. The labor market depends on imported workers, and skills gaps plus the high cost of living affect competitiveness and living standards. Security, quality of services, and logistics capacity influence business confidence and development.

Currency name Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)
Economic system Mixed economy
Informal economy presence Present, particularly in tourism and local markets
Key industries Tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, commerce
Trade orientation Export-oriented, mainly tourism-related

Sint Maarten sits on a small, densely developed coastal area on a tropical island shared with a French territory. The geographic footprint limits freshwater resources and intensifies pressure on water supply and land use. Coastal and marine ecosystems face pressures from development, pollution, and reef degradation, reducing natural protection and tourism appeal. Waste management and sanitation infrastructure face capacity constraints, while disaster risk remains significant for storms and sea level variations. Cross-border environmental governance with Saint Martin shapes conservation and resilience policies, yet implementation faces capacity and funding limits.

Bordering countries None (southern half borders French Saint Martin)
Climate type Tropical
Continent North America
Environmental Issues Coastal erosion, habitat loss, pollution
Landlocked No
Natural Hazards Hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding
Natural resources Arable land, fishing grounds, some mineral resources
Terrain type Hilly and mountainous, with some coastal plains

The population includes residents and a large influx of seasonal workers tied to tourism, creating social dynamics distinct from other Caribbean economies. Economic disparity and housing affordability influence social cohesion and access to services. Education and healthcare services exist but experience gaps in coverage, quality, and resilience in the face of shocks. Security concerns and crime can affect community wellbeing and investor confidence. Social policy must address inclusion, youth opportunities, and resilience in a small, open economy with high exposure to external forces.

Cultural heritage Influence from African, European, and indigenous cultures
Driving side Right
Education system type Compulsory and public education available
Ethnic composition Diverse, with Afro-Caribbean, European, and mixed heritage
Family structure Nuclear families are common, extended families play a significant role
Healthcare model Public and private healthcare system
Major religions Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic), other religions present
Official languages Dutch, English, French

Infrastructure centers on the international airport and seaport, which drive tourism and trade, with ongoing restoration after disruptive events. Utilities rely on energy generation and water systems that are vulnerable to weather and supply disruptions, with limited redundancy. Telecommunications and broadband connectivity support business and government services but vary in coverage and reliability. Public investment aims at resilience, drainage, transportation networks, and critical facilities, yet delivery is constrained by procurement, governance, and funding limitations. Efforts to advance renewable energy and digital government are progressing but depend on external support and long-term planning.

Internet censorship level Low
Tech innovation level Moderate
Transport system type Road and air transport are primary; limited public transport

Development indicators

Indicator Year Value Rank 5Y Rank Change
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 9.13 167 +1
Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 8.13 68 -59
GDP per capita (current US$) 2024 40,028 29 -8
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2024 52,085 38 +3
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 2023 76.4 90 0
Net migration 2024 558 73 -8
Population, total 2024 43,350 206 -1
Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) 2022 0 66 -102
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 2023 2.78 77 -107
Current account balance (% of GDP) 2023 -7.17 138 +110

Demography and Health

Sint Maarten has a small total population of about 43,350 people as of 2024, ranking around 206 globally by size. The demographic transition shows a very modest natural increase: birth rate is 9.13 per 1,000 people (2023) and death rate is 8.13 per 1,000 people (2023), yielding roughly 1 extra person per 1,000 each year. Life expectancy at birth is 76.4 years (2023), placing the territory in the mid-to-upper range for health outcomes in comparable small economies. Net migration registers a positive inflow of 558 people in 2024 (rank 73), suggesting that inward movement contributes to population dynamics alongside natural increase. Taken together, these figures describe a compact, slowly growing population with a small margin of natural growth and a modest boost from migration, factors that influence labor supply, housing, and the demand for public services in a small-scale market.

Economy

Economic indicators point to a relatively high-income profile for Sint Maarten. GDP per capita (current US$) stands at 40,028 in 2024, with a rank of 29 globally, while GDP per capita (PPP, current international US$) is 52,085 in 2024, ranking 38th. These figures imply a high standard of living on a per-person basis when adjusted for price levels, and they suggest substantial purchasing power within the territory. The combination of high per-capita income and a small population often reflects a service-oriented economy, potentially underpinned by tourism and related services. However, the current account balance is negative, at -7.17% of GDP in 2023, signaling a broader external deficit that could reflect import reliance or a mismatch between export earnings and import payments. The external sector also shows a role for foreign capital, with net foreign direct investment inflows amounting to 2.78% of GDP in 2023, indicating a moderate level of external investment contributing to capital formation and potential productivity gains within the economy.

Trade and Investment

Inward investment data show net FDI inflows of 2.78% of GDP in 2023, illustrating a modest but meaningful level of foreign capital directed toward Sint Maarten. The current account balance of -7.17% of GDP in 2023 highlights an external imbalance characteristic of open economies that rely on imports for goods and services and on external financing. The coexistence of measurable FDI with a persistent current account deficit suggests that while external investment supports growth and development, the economy remains vulnerable to shifts in trade, tourism demand, energy prices, and capital flows. This dynamic underscores the importance of maintaining a stable macroeconomic framework and diversified revenue streams to manage vulnerabilities in a small, highly open economy.

Governance and Institutions

The dataset provides no explicit governance or institutional indicators for Sint Maarten. The absence of metrics on governance quality, regulatory environments, or public institutions makes a direct assessment of governance incomplete. Nonetheless, the availability of the indicators and their rankings implies a basic statistical capability to monitor key macroeconomic and social variables, which is a foundational element for informed policymaking. To form a fuller picture, additional data on rule of law, transparency, public sector efficiency, and governance quality would be required.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and energy data show a striking figure: renewable energy consumption accounts for 0% of total final energy consumption in 2022 (rank 66). This suggests either an energy system heavily reliant on non-renewable sources or a lack of integration of renewable sources into final energy use, raising questions about energy security, price volatility, and long-term sustainability. The absence of other infrastructure or technology indicators in the dataset limits a broader assessment of telecommunications, transport networks, or digital readiness. Nevertheless, the zero-renewables finding points to a major area for policy focus and investment to diversify energy sources, enhance resilience, and align with sustainability goals in a small island economy.

Environment and Sustainability

The energy profile—0% renewable energy consumption—has important environmental and sustainability implications. A lack of renewable penetration increases dependence on imported energy and potentially higher carbon intensity, which can challenge climate and environmental goals. In a small island context, this energy stance also interacts with vulnerability to external shocks such as fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions. Aligning energy policy with environmental stewardship could improve long-term sustainability, economic resilience, and price stability, particularly given the modest population size and growth dynamics that influence demand for energy, land, and environmental resources.