National Identity
- Official name
- Federation of Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis
- Official name (in English)
- Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- Name etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS visited the islands in 1493 and named one for his own patron saint; a common nickname for Christopher during the following centuries was Kit or Kitt, and Saint Kitts is still referred to as Saint Christopher; the name of Nevis is said to derive from the original Spanish name "Las Nieves" (The Snows) and refers to its cloud-topped mountain
Sources:- Article 1 - The Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis ↗ - The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
- The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Coat of arms
- National flag
As published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis Description of the National Flag
The National Flag of Saint Christopher and Nevis features green for our fertile lands, yellow for our year-round sunshine, black for our African heritage, and red for our struggle from slavery through colonialism to independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis For flags flown on land and at sea: three x two (3:2)
As published in EnglishAs published by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Green represents our fertile lands. Yellow represents our year-round sunshine. Black represents our African Heritage. Red represents our struggle from slavery through colonialism to independence. The white stars are symbols of hope and liberty.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis The National Flag of St. Kitts and Nevis was adopted on September 19th, 1983. It was designed by Edrice Lewis in a national design competition.
As published in EnglishSources:- mofa.gov.kn ↗ - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- gov.kn ↗ - the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
- National anthem
- O Land of Beauty!1:03
- Title
- O Land of Beauty!
- Lyrics
- English
1O Land of Beauty! Our country where peace abounds, Thy children stand free On the strength of will and love. With God in all our struggles, Saint Kitts and Nevis be A Nation bound together With a common destiny.
2As stalwarts we stand, For justice and liberty, With wisdom and truth We will serve and honour thee. No sword nor spear can conquer, For God will sure defend. His blessings shall for ever To posterity extend.
Source: - Citizens
- Kittitians, Nevisians
- Official name:Article 1 - The Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis ↗ - The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Coat of arms:Image credit
- National flag:mofa.gov.kn ↗ - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- National flag:gov.kn ↗ - the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
- Total area
- 261 km²
- Land area
- 261 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 135 km
- Terrain
Volcanic with mountainous interiors - Highest point
- 1,156 mMount Liamuiga
- Lowest point
- 0 mCaribbean Sea
- Climate
Tropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) - Avg. temperature
- 26.2 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 25.4 to 26.8 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 905 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 25.6 25.1 24.4 41 February 25.3 24.8 24.2 31 March 25.4 24.9 24.3 30 April 26 25.4 24.8 43 May 26.8 26.2 25.5 72 June 27.4 26.9 26.1 58 July 27.6 27 26.2 85 August 28 27.3 26.4 102 September 28 27.3 26.4 128 October 27.7 27.1 26.2 136 November 27.1 26.5 25.7 113 December 26.3 25.7 25 65 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable19.2%Perm. crops0.4%Pasture3.5%Forest42.3%Other34.6%
- Arable land
- 5,000 hectares (19.2%)
- Permanent crops
- 100 hectares (0.4%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 900 hectares (3.5%)
- Forest
- 11,000 hectares (42.3%)
- Other land
- 9,000 hectares (34.6%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Tropical cyclones8.6Very high#5/191Earthquakes3.6Low#94/191Epidemics2.9Low#161/191River floods0.0Very lowTsunamis0.0Very lowCoastal floods0.0Very lowDrought0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.15% per year+70 people/yearWorld Rank164thof 237
- Birth rate
- 11.2 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 10.1 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- +0.2 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 36.5 yearsWorld Rank99thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years18.4%15-64 years69.4%65 years +12.2%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 12.2%
- Share aged under 18
- 21.6%
- Total dependency ratio
- 44
- Youth dependency ratio
- 26
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 18
- Sex ratio
- 0.91 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 0.6% 1.1% 70-79 2.4% 2.8% 60-69 5.2% 6.1% 50-59 6.2% 6.6% 40-49 7.0% 8.0% 30-39 7.6% 8.2% 20-29 6.7% 7.3% 10-19 6.1% 6.4% 0-9 6.1% 5.9% - 2026
- 0.60 below the replacement level for Saint Kitts and Nevis ()1.50 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank170thof 237
- 0.72 daughters per woman0.28 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +1.2 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 1.2 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- +0.2 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 32.0% live in 15,043 urban residents
- Largest towns2011latest available
- Basseterre, CharlestownRankTownPopulation (2011 census)1Basseterre11,4002Charlestown1,847
- Population distribution
- Population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands.
- Ethnic groups2001
- African descent92.5%Mixed3.0%White2.1%East Indian1.5%Other0.6%Unspecified0.3%
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- Constitutional monarchyThe monarch is head of state, represented by a Governor-General who is a citizen appointed by the monarch; the Constitution makes the two islands "a sovereign democratic federal state" styled Saint Christopher and Nevis or Saint Kitts and Nevis (ss. 1, 21, 51).
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe Governor-General appoints as Prime Minister the Representative likely to command majority support; the Cabinet is collectively responsible to the National Assembly, and dissolution follows the Prime Minister's advice (ss. 47, 52, 53).
- Territorial organisation
- Federal
- Official websites
- Capital
- Basseterre11,400 people(2011)
- National holidays
- 12 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1Carnival Day
- FriJan 2Carnival Day - Last Lap
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- MonMay 4Labour Day
- MonMay 25Whit Monday
- MonAug 3Emancipation Day
- TueAug 4Culturama Day - Last Lap
- WedSep 16National Heroes Day
- SatSep 19Independence Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- ASTAtlantic Standard TimeUTC−4
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +1-869
- Internet TLD
- .kn
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- KN, KNA
- Infrastructure
- Railways50 km
- Heliports
- 1
- Aircraft registration prefix
- V4
Source:- The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:The Saint Christopher and Nevis Constitution Order 1983 (S.I. 1983 No. 881), Schedule 1: The Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis ↗ - Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis and Nevis Island Administration
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- High income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +1.8% per yearWorld Rank145thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $22,237 (60th in the world)
Source:- 2025
- Services66.2% of GDPIndustry20.8% of GDPAgriculture1.3% of GDPManufacturing4%part of industryThe shape of the economySource:
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 3.6%up 2.8 percentage points2.8pp from 2025
- Budget balance2026
- 9% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 16.2% of GDP, $186 million deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Government debt52.2% of GDPInterest on debt1.2% of GDP
- Trade2025
- Goods$46.5 million8.1%
- Services$528.8 million91.9%
- Total exports
- $575.3 million
- Change from 2024
- down 3.5 percent on the previous year3.5%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Coconuts (in shell), Hen eggs in shell (fresh), Sweet potatoes, and 3 more
- 1Coconuts (in shell)77.7×
- 2Hen eggs in shell (fresh)4.8×
- 3Sweet potatoes2.9×
- 4Watermelons2.2×
- 5Cucumbers and gherkins1.7×
- 6Tomatoes0.9×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- 2024
- EC$1,560 per month, gross$578 (USD), $740 (PPP)
- Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.840Very highWorld Rank58thof 193Saint Kitts and NevisWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Saint Kitts and Nevis World 2005 0.758 0.681 2006 0.765 0.688 2007 0.769 0.694 2008 0.776 0.698 2009 0.783 0.701 2010 0.791 0.707 2011 0.800 0.713 2012 0.808 0.717 2013 0.818 0.721 2014 0.829 0.726 2015 0.830 0.731 2016 0.832 0.735 2017 0.834 0.739 2018 0.835 0.741 2019 0.839 0.745 2020 0.828 0.742 2021 0.818 0.742 2022 0.829 0.752 2023 0.840 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 10.8 years
- Expected for a child today
- 18.4 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure2023
- 3.5% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 9.1%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2022
- 75.8% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 77.2%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2022
- 54,614
- Fixed telephone lines
- 15,602
- Fixed broadband
- 46.7 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted2025
- 5 people
- Refugees from Saint Kitts and Nevis abroad
- 28
Source:- Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Inbound tourists2022
- Official tourism site79,800 arrivalsdown 33% against 201933% below 2019World Rank128thof 139
- Per resident
- 1.7 arrivals per resident
- Same-day visitors
- 509,300 arrivals
- $354.6 million(2024)
- $66.4 million(2024)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2022A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 cultural
Site Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Source:- The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted:Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2024
- 59.8 per 100,000 peopleVery high by global standards
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 59.8 28 2024 Serious assault 359.3 168 2023 Sexual violence 136.9 64 2023 Kidnapping 0.0 0 2023 Burglary 383.2 179 2022 Theft 1,158.2 541 2022 Vehicle theft 40.7 19 2022 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2022
- 537.4 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 251
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 72.6 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 5.7% of GDP$1,295 per person
- Physicians2018
- 3.09 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2023
- 4 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 11.5 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 74 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 7 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.14 Mt per yearup 3.5 percent on the previous year3.5% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 2.3 t per personWorld Rank117thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.04 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.01 Mt CO₂-eq
- Fluorinated gases
- 0 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 0.19 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 3 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted204thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- deforestation
- soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs
- water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage
- International agreements
- 18 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 65 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1994 Kyoto Protocol in force 2008 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1992 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1992 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1993 CITES in force 1994 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2003 Nagoya Protocol in force 2018 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands not a party World Heritage Convention in force 1986 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1997 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 1994 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2012 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2017 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1994 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 1998 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 1.7% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 514 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
- Annual water withdrawal
- 0 billion m³ per year
- Withdrawn for agriculture
- 1%
- Water stress
- 51% of available freshwater withdrawn
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity2024
- 46.7% of adults
- Men
- 37.2%
- Women
- 55.3%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 90 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- No meaningful productionproduces under 2% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0.2 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0.2 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0.2 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 1,929 b/d in 2024Consumption20241,929 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Military personnel2024
- estimated 200active Defense Forces
- Military service2025
- Voluntaryno conscription; men and women 18+, under 18 with written parental permission
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Military personnel, Military service:The World Factbook: Saint Kitts and Nevis - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
