Saint Lucia

England and France contested Saint Lucia -- with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry -- throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, with possession changing 14 times; it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.

13 53 N, 60 58 W

hurricanes

Volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava-dome remnants associated with the Soufrière volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region

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

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

158 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 16.3% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 4.4% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 11.3% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)

Forest: 53.7% (2023 est.)

Other: 30% (2023 est.)

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

forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufrière, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean

volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Central America and the Caribbean

30 sq km (2012)

most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries

Highest point: Mount Gimie 948 m

Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

300 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total : 616 sq km

Land: 606 sq km

Water: 10 sq km

0-14 years: 17.9% (male 15,505/female 14,607)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 54,260/female 57,747)

65 years and over: 15.4% (2024 est.) (male 11,752/female 14,167)

At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Saint Lucian(s)

Adjective: Saint Lucian

Urban population: 19.2% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 96.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 3.1% of population (2022 est.)

22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018)

4.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 50 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 26.9 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 23.1 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 4.3 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 92.9% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 7.1% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)

Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

English (official), Saint Lucian Creole

Total: 13 years (2023 est.)

Male: 12 years (2023 est.)

Female: 13 years (2023 est.)

6.2% of GDP (2021)

9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Total: 29% (2024 est.)

Male: 31.4% (2024 est.)

Female: 26.3% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

44 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Total: 168,038 (2024 est.)

Male: 81,517

Female: 86,521

Total: 13.1% (2025 est.)

Male: 24.1% (2025 est.)

Female: 2.6% (2025 est.)

19.7% (2016)

Total: 9.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 3.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 5.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 79.4 years (2024 est.)

Male: 76.7 years

Female: 82.3 years

3.8% of GDP (2024 est.)

12.7% national budget (2025 est.)

0.83 (2025 est.)

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Total: 40.4 years (2025 est.)

Male: 38.4 years

Female: 40.9 years

1.71 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Male: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births

8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

11.17 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

0.25% (2025 est.)

Municipal: 12.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 0 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 30.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 77,600 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2022 est.)

8.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

47.522 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Embassy: The US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufrière, Vieux-Fort

Name: Castries

Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 61 00 W

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

Etymology: In 1785, the village of Carenage was renamed Castries, after Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de CASTRIES, who was then the French Minister of the Navy and Colonies

History: Previous 1958, 1960 (pre-independence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979

Amendment process: Proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Assembly membership in the final reading and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to various constitutional sections, such as those on fundamental rights and freedoms, government finances, the judiciary, and procedures for amending the constitution, require at least three-quarters majority vote by the House and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments approved by the House but rejected by the Senate require a majority of votes cast in a referendum

Description: Cerulean blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Meaning: Blue stands for the sky and sea, gold for sunshine and prosperity, and white and black for the ethnic composition of the island; the triangles represent Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the cone-shaped volcanic plugs that are a symbol of the island

22 February 1979 (from the UK)

Highest court(s): The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

Judge selection and term of office: Chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; 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: Magistrate's court

English common law

Legislature name: Houses of Parliament

Legislative structure: Bicameral

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 22 February (1979)

Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP
United Workers Party or UWP

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Conventional long form: None

Conventional short form: Saint Lucia

Etymology: Believed to be named after Saint LUCY (Sainte ALOUSIE) of Syracuse by French sailors who were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December 1502, the saint's feast day

Note: Pronounced saynt-LOO-shuh

Chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 2022)

Chancery: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006

Telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792

FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723

Email address and website:
Embassydc@gosl.gov.lc

https://www.embassyofstlucia.org/

Consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

Title: "Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia"

Lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS

History: Adopted 1967

Title: "God Save the King"

Lyrics/music: Unknown

History: In use since 1745

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

twin pitons (volcanic peaks), Saint Lucia parrot

Citizenship by birth: Yes

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia

Dual citizenship recognized: Yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Pitons Management Area

cerulean blue, gold, black, white

Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Acting Governor General Cyril Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021)

Head of government: Prime Minister Philip J. PIERRE (since 28 July 2021)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Election/appointment process: The monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general

25% (2015 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.1% (2015 est.)

Highest 10%: 34.1% (2015 est.)

Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

refined petroleum, gravel and crushed stone, beer, liquor, paper containers (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Guyana 20%, Suriname 15%, USA 11%, Barbados 8%, Dominica 7% (2023)

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

coconuts, bananas, tropical fruits, fruits, root vegetables, plantains, vegetables, cassava, chicken, milk (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $414.77 million (2017 est.)

Expenditures: $351.956 million (2017 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, poultry, plastic products (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
2.7 (2024 est.)
2.7 (2023 est.)
2.7 (2022 est.)
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)

tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing

upper middle-income, tourism-based Caribbean island economy; environmentally fragile; energy import-dependent; major banana producer; well-educated labor force; key infrastructure, IT, and communications investments

$2.549 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 66.1% (2017 est.)

Government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2017 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -56.9% (2017 est.)

USA 59%, Guyana 8%, Brazil 7%, China 5%, UK 3% (2023)

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

2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

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

102,400 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$901.317 million (2023 est.)

Note: Present value of external debt in current US dollars

$406.064 million (2024 est.)
$424.324 million (2023 est.)
$389.083 million (2022 est.)

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

11% (2024 est.)
11.1% (2023 est.)
16% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$4.359 billion (2024 est.)
$4.196 billion (2023 est.)
$4.105 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

-0.1% (2024 est.)
4.1% (2023 est.)
6.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$64.121 million (2024 est.)
-$38.069 million (2023 est.)
-$83.442 million (2022 est.)

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

$24,300 (2024 est.)
$23,400 (2023 est.)
$23,000 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$1.446 billion (2024 est.)
$1.292 billion (2023 est.)
$1.2 billion (2022 est.)

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

$1.6 billion (2024 est.)
$1.419 billion (2023 est.)
$1.29 billion (2022 est.)

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

3.9% (2024 est.)
2.2% (2023 est.)
20.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

5.6% (2024 est.)

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

Agriculture: 1.1% (2024 est.)

Industry: 9.8% (2024 est.)

Services: 75.9% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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

Fossil fuels: 98% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 93,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 365.178 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 31.038 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 74% (2022 est.)

.lc

3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; mix of state-owned and privately owned radio broadcasters with about 25 stations, including repeater transmission stations (2019)

Total subscriptions: 176,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96 (2021 est.)

Total: 24,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 31,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2022 est.)

J6

2 (2025)

Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts, 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 (2025)

no regular military forces; Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice, and National Security: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) (2025)

Refugees: 5 (2024 est.)

Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Saint Lucia was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/saint-lucia/

Total ports: 3 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 0

Small: 2

Very small: 1

Ports with oil terminals: 2

Key ports: Castries, Grand Cul de Sac Bay, Vieux Fort

Chamber name: House of Assembly

Number of seats: 18 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 7/26/2021

Parties elected and seats per party: Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) (13); United Workers Party (UWP) (2); Independents (2)

Percentage of women in chamber: 10.5%

Expected date of next election: December 2025

Chamber name: Senate

Number of seats: 11 (all appointed)

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 8/17/2021

Percentage of women in chamber: 54.5%

Expected date of next election: December 2025

51.2 (2016 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality