Saint Kitts and Nevis

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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 course of 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for English 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 two-thirds majority vote needed.

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
country comparison to the world: 212

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

135 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
continental shelf: 200nm 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

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Natural resources

arable land

Land use

agricultural land: 23.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 19.2% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0.4% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 3.5% (2011 est.)
forest: 42.3% (2011 est.)
other: 34.6% (2011 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

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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 long, 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

53,094 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

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 .6%, unspecified .3% (2001 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Religions

Protestant 74.4% (includes Anglican 20.6%, Methodist 19.1%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Church of God 6.8%, Moravian 5.5%, Baptist 4.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.7%, Evangelical 2.6%, Bretheren 1.8%, other .3%), Roman Catholic 6.7%, Rastafarian 1.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other 7.6%, none 5.2%, unspecified 3.2% (2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.09%(male 5,354 /female 5,311)
15-24 years: 14.28%(male 3,645 /female 3,936)
25-54 years: 44.25%(male 12,059 /female 11,437)
55-64 years: 12.35%(male 3,274 /female 3,283)
65 years and over: 9.03%(male 2,236 /female 2,559) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

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Median age

total: 35.5 years (2018 est.)
male: 35.7 years
female: 35.3 years
country comparison to the world: 79

Population growth rate

0.7% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Birth rate

13 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Death rate

7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Net migration rate

1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 30.8% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

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
15-24 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 149

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.2 years (2018 est.)
male: 73.7 years
female: 78.7 years
country comparison to the world: 92

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

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

5.7% (2016)

Physicians density

2.52 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
rural: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
total: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
unimproved: urban: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
rural: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
total: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2018)
country comparison to the world: 73

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

<200 (2018)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2018)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 71

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 156

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 16 years (2015)

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 neevis

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)

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 (2018)

Legal system

English common law

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: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015
head of government: Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015)
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 (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of 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 16 February 2015 (next to be held by 2020)
election results: percent of vote by party - SKNLP 39.3%, PAM 27.9% CCM 13.0% NRP 10.8%, PLP 9.0%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 3, CCM 2, NRP 1, PLP 1; composition as of early 2018, including the attorney general - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7%

Judicial branch

highest courts: 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 Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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 and leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY]
Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]
People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS]
People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]

International organization participation

ACP, 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

Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Economy

Economy - overview

The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.55 billion (2017 est.)
$1.518 billion (2016 est.)
$1.476 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 199

GDP (official exchange rate)

$964 million (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2017 est.)
2.9% (2016 est.)
2.7% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,200 (2017 est.)
$27,600 (2016 est.)
$27,300 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 73

Gross national saving

19.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
19.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
15.4% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

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.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 30% (2017 est.)
services: 68.9% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Labor force

18,170 (June 1995 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212

Unemployment rate

4.5% (1997)
country comparison to the world: 65

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA

Budget

revenues: 307 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 291.1 million (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Public debt

62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
61.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0% (2017 est.)
-0.3% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2009)
6.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 62

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.09% (31 December 2017 est.)
9.23% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Stock of narrow money

$196.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Stock of broad money

$196.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Stock of domestic credit

$721.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$704.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Market value of publicly traded shares

$598.4 million (31 December 2011)
$623.9 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

Current account balance

-$97 million (2017 est.)
-$102 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Exports

$57.4 million (2017 est.)
$53.9 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202

Exports - partners

US 49.6%, Poland 15.2%, Turkey 11.6% (2016)

Exports - commodities

machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco

Imports

$335.3 million (2017 est.)
$307.9 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202

Imports - commodities

machinery, manufactures, food, fuels

Imports - partners

US 56.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.8%, Cyprus 6.2%, Japan 4% (2016)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$365.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$320.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Debt - external

$201.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2017 est.)
2.7 (2016 est.)
2.7 (2015 est.)
2.7 (2014 est.)
2.7 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

208 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity - consumption

193.4 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Electricity - installed generating capacity

64,200 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Electricity - from fossil fuels

94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

248,100 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 17,293
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 76,878
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 146 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Telephone system

general assessment: good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development (2018)
domestic: interisland links via ECFS; fixed-line teledensity about 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 146 per 100 persons (2018)
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

Internet country code

.kn

Internet users

total: 39,000
percent of population: 75.7% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 16,400
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V4 (2016)

Airports

2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 204

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

Railways

total: 50 km (2008)
narrow gauge: 50 km0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)
country comparison to the world: 132

Roadways

total: 383 km (2002)
paved: 163 km (2002)
unpaved: 220 km (2002)
country comparison to the world: 194

Merchant marine

total: 240
by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 5, general cargo 44, oil tanker 55, other 130 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 60

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity

Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis

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