St. Lucia profile

Demography and Health

Saint Lucia is a small island nation with a total population of about 179,744 people as of 2024. The demographic dynamics show a birth rate of 11.3 births per 1,000 people (2023) and a crude death rate of 8.61 deaths per 1,000 people (2023), indicating a modest natural increase in population. Life expectancy at birth stands at 72.7 years (2023), reflecting improvements in health outcomes while also suggesting ongoing considerations regarding aging and the allocation of healthcare resources in a relatively small market. The mortality rate for children under five is 15.5 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling persistent challenges in child health that can benefit from targeted maternal and infant care initiatives.

The country shows signs of out-migration, with net migration at -7.0 (2024), implying more people leaving than arriving. This pattern can influence labor supply, skills retention, and long-term demographic structure, potentially affecting economic planning and social services. Internet access is widespread for a small nation, with 70.1% of the population using the Internet in 2023, supporting digital health, telemedicine, and information access. Health spending remains notable but not expansive on a GDP basis, with current health expenditure at 5.02% of GDP (2022) and per-capita health expenditure (PPP) at $375 (2022), suggesting a healthcare system that aims for coverage and quality while balancing fiscal constraints. The health system’s capacity is moderate, evidenced by 1.96 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021), which underscores the need for ongoing investment to maintain and extend service levels as population needs evolve. Suicide mortality is 5.27 per 100,000 people (2021), a metric that, while not high by global standards, remains a public health consideration requiring preventive strategies and mental health services.

Economy, Trade and Investment

Saint Lucia exhibits a GDP per capita of 14,182 current US dollars in 2024, with a GDP per capita based on Purchasing Power Parity of 27,567 international dollars. These figures place the economy among small, services-oriented economies with relatively high living standards for the region, underpinned by tourism, financial services, and related activities. Inflation measured at -0.11% in 2024 indicates a rare period of price deflation, which can affect consumer purchasing power and monetary policy dynamics. The unemployment rate is 12.1% (2023), signaling a notable portion of the labor force without work, a challenge for inclusive growth that may be partly mitigated by investments and sectoral reforms.

Energy and growth prospects are shaped by a modest reliance on renewable energy, which accounts for 9.7% of total final energy consumption in 2022. While this reflects initial progress toward cleaner energy, it also highlights substantial room for expansion, particularly given the high energy intensity often associated with tourism-dependent economies. Greenhouse gas emissions per capita stand at 2.52 t CO2e, a relatively low level by global standards, which aligns with a smaller, service-driven economy but also points to opportunities for further decarbonization through cleaner energy and efficiency measures. Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows reach 7.04% of GDP in 2024, a strong signal of investor interest and market openness, with a rank indicating relatively favorable positioning among comparators. The current account balance stands at -2.52% of GDP in 2024, a modest deficit that suggests external financing needs but also resilience in stabilizing macro indicators. Taken together, these patterns point to an economy with solid human development potential but dependent on external conditions and continued diversification to reduce vulnerabilities.

Governance and Institutions

Governance indicators portray a mixed profile. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score 1.02 in 2023, indicating a reasonable level of political steadiness in a country exposed to external and internal pressures common to small states. Regulatory quality records 0.397 (2023), while not decisive, suggests ongoing work to improve the efficiency of regulatory frameworks that affect business, investment, and public service delivery. The rule of law is relatively stronger, at 0.605 (2023), and control of corruption sits at 0.544, indicating a meaningful, though not perfect, ability to sustain transparent governance and reduce corruption. Government effectiveness is modest, 0.0738 (2023), highlighting that translating policy intentions into efficient public services remains an area for enhancement. Overall, the governance picture shows a country with a credible rule of law and relatively solid anti-corruption performance, but with room to strengthen regulatory quality and public sector effectiveness to accelerate development outcomes and investor confidence.

Infrastructure and Technology

Digital connectivity is a notable strength, with 70.1% of the population using the Internet in 2023, supporting the expansion of e-government services, digital entrepreneurship, and access to information. Health infrastructure is moderate, reflected in 1.96 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021), which underscores the importance of maintaining capacity and improving efficiency in care delivery, particularly given population dynamics and tourism-driven demand. The energy profile shows a relatively modest share of renewable energy at 9.7% (2022), suggesting opportunities to expand clean energy adoption, reduce import dependency, and bolster energy security. The combination of solid internet penetration with a relatively constrained hospital bed base indicates a need for innovative delivery models—such as telehealth, primary care expansion, and public-private partnerships—to enhance access and quality of services while controlling costs. The overall investment climate is reinforced by FDI inflows, which help mobilize capital for infrastructure, technology adoption, and productivity gains.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental pressures on Saint Lucia include a freshwater context where water stress—defined as freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources—reaches 14.3% in 2021, signaling moderate pressure on water resources that can be heightened by climate variability and tourism-related demand. The country’s per-capita greenhouse gas emissions are 2.52 t CO2e, a relatively low footprint that aligns with a small economy and cleaner energy mix, though the current renewable energy share suggests further opportunities for decarbonization and resilience. With climate vulnerability common to Caribbean islands, expanding renewable energy, improving water management, and safeguarding ecosystems will be important for sustainable growth. The data imply a path toward greater sustainability: deepen energy diversification, advance efficiency across transportation and buildings, and strengthen water security to support both residents and the tourism sector, which remains a central pillar of Saint Lucia’s economic and social fabric.