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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.vc

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

181 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190

Internet users [time series]

66,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate system domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 1-784; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables carry international calls; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

22,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 190

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

130,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 178

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2004)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $94.6 million expenditures: $85.8 million (2000 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 6.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

9.52% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 8.8% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$149 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Debt - external [time series]

$223 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 178

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Economic growth slowed in 2008 after reaching a 10-year high of nearly 7% in 2006, and will likely slow in 2009 with the global economic downturn, though it will be above average for Latin America. Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity as well as remittance inflows. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism, but persistent high unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands. This lower-middle-income country is vulnerable to natural disasters - tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002. In 2007, the islands had more than 200,000 tourist arrivals, mostly to the Grenadines. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high debt burden - 25% of current revenues are directed towards debt servicing. An agreement with Italy to write-off debt reduced the public debt-to-GDP ratio to about 70%. The GONSALVES administration is directing government resources to infrastructure projects, including a new international airport that is expected to be completed in 2011.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

124.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

133.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Exchange rates [time series]

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$193 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 182

Exports - commodities [time series]

bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets

Exports - partners [time series]

Greece 31.8%, France 18.9%, India 9.9%, China 8.3%, Italy 7.5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$601 million (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.072 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1.063 billion (2007 est.) $993.4 million (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$10,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $10,100 (2007 est.) $9,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 7% (2007 est.) 7.6% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$578 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 184

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 27.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, US 12.1%, China 8.5%, Italy 7.1%, Norway 5.1% (2008)

Industries [time series]

food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Labor force [time series]

57,520 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 26% industry: 17% services: 57% (1980 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - consumption [time series]

2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Oil - imports [time series]

1,451 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$417.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 116 $387.8 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$150.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $155.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$302.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 113 $280.2 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

15% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) country comparison to the world: 202 land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Coastline [time series]

84 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.01 per capita: 83 cu m/yr (1995)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 15 N, 61 12 W

Geography - note [time series]

the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 17.95% permanent crops: 17.95% other: 64.1% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, cropland

Terrain [time series]

volcanic, mountainous

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick

Capital [time series]

name: Kingstown geographic coordinates: 13 09 N, 61 14 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

27 October 1979

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador La Celia A. PRINCE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

27 October 1979 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (consisting of a High Court and Court of Appeals; based on Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court reside in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and six appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 55.3%, NDP 44.7%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 October (1979)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 34,373 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 22,975 females age 16-49: 22,250 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 1,020 female: 1,009 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25.9% (male 13,637/female 13,425) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 35,693/female 33,701) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 3,659/female 4,459) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.27 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Death rate [time series]

6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8.1% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 14

Ethnic groups [time series]

black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 127 male: 16.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

English, French patois

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.65 years country comparison to the world: 102 male: 71.82 years female: 75.54 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 28.9 years male: 29 years female: 28.9 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian

Net migration rate [time series]

-11.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Population [time series]

104,574 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.344% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Religions [time series]

Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.98 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation

Transportation

Airports [time series]

6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 174

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 525 country comparison to the world: 21 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 83, cargo 315, carrier 20, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 6, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 18, specialized tanker 2, container 21 foreign-owned: 476 (Austria 2, Barbados 1, Belgium 8, Bulgaria 15, Canada 1, China 94, Croatia 7, Cyprus 1, Czech Republic 1, Denmark 16, Egypt 3, Estonia 16, France 6, Germany 3, Gibraltar 1, Greece 71, Guyana 2, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 7, India 7, Iran 1, Israel 2, Italy 17, Japan 3, Kenya 2, Latvia 17, Lebanon 6, Lithuania 9, Monaco 5, Montenegro 1, Namibia 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 13, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 21, Singapore 4, Slovenia 5, South Africa 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 6, Syria 13, Turkey 20, Ukraine 11, UAE 9, UK 14, US 18, Venezuela 1) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Kingstown

Roadways [time series]

total: 829 km country comparison to the world: 185 paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2003)