ARCHIVE // GD // 2011
Grenada
2011 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a television station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available; a dozen private radio stations also broadcast (2007)
Internet country code
[time series]
.gd
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
52 (2010) country comparison to the world: 209
Internet users
[time series]
25,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: automatic, island-wide telephone system domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
28,400 (2010) country comparison to the world: 182
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
121,900 (2010) country comparison to the world: 186
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $175.3 million expenditures: $215.9 million (2009 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
-6% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Central bank discount rate
[time series]
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 57 6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
[time series]
10.6% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 10.983% (31 December 2009 est.)
Current account balance
[time series]
-$174.8 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 -$174.8 million (2007 est.)
Debt - external
[time series]
$347 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 171
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth was stagnant in 2010 after a sizeable contraction in 2009, because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances.
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
177.4 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
[time series]
195.4 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Exchange rates
[time series]
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2010) 2.7 (2009) 2.7 (2005) 2.7 (2004) 2.7 (2003)
Exports
[time series]
$38 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 199 $38.69 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
Exports - partners
[time series]
St. Lucia 16.6%, Egypt 15.9%, Antigua and Barbuda 11.3%, US 11%, St. Kitts and Nevis 10.1%, Dominica 10.1% (2010)
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$674 million (2010 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$1.098 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $1.114 billion (2009 est.) $1.204 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 10.2% industry: 28.8% services: 61% (2010 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$10,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $10,400 (2009 est.) $11,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
-1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 -7.6% (2009 est.) 2.2% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$252.8 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $252.8 million (2006)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel
Imports - partners
[time series]
Trinidad and Tobago 43.7%, US 18.8% (2010)
Industries
[time series]
food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 -0.3% (2009 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
[time series]
15.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Labor force
[time series]
42,300 (1996) country comparison to the world: 191
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 24% industry: 14% services: 62% (1999 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
[time series]
$NA
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - production
[time series]
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Oil - consumption
[time series]
3,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Oil - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Oil - imports
[time series]
1,913 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Oil - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - proved reserves
[time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Population below poverty line
[time series]
32% (2000)
Stock of broad money
[time series]
$821.1 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $785.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
[time series]
$598.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $625.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of narrow money
[time series]
$112.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $105.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
26% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Unemployment rate
[time series]
12.5% (2000) country comparison to the world: 134
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 344 sq km country comparison to the world: 206 land: 344 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
twice the size of Washington, DC
Climate
[time series]
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Coastline
[time series]
121 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
NA
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
12 07 N, 61 40 W
Geography - note
[time series]
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
Irrigated land
[time series]
15 sq km (2008)
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2005)
Location
[time series]
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Map references
[time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
Natural resources
[time series]
timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Terrain
[time series]
volcanic in origin with central mountains
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
NA
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Capital
[time series]
name: Saint George's geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
[time series]
19 December 1973
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage
Government type
[time series]
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Independence
[time series]
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
International law organization participation
[time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
International organization participation
[time series]
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Legal system
[time series]
common law based on English model
Legislative branch
[time series]
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 members appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Hail Grenada" lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO note: adopted 1974
National holiday
[time series]
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.
Military
Manpower available for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 27,468 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 22,596 females age 16-49: 22,588 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 995 female: 1,002 (2010 est.)
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2010)
Military expenditures
[time series]
NA
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 25.4% (male 14,152/female 13,390) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 36,245/female 34,960) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 4,372/female 5,300) (2011 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
17.01 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Death rate
[time series]
7.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 97% of population rural: 93% of population total: 94% of population unimproved: urban: 3% of population rural: 7% of population total: 6% of population (2000)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
4.9% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 60
Ethnic groups
[time series]
black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
NA
Health expenditure
(Health expenditures)
[time series]
7.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 74
Hospital bed density
[time series]
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 90
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 11.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 141 male: 10.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English (official), French patois
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 73.04 years country comparison to the world: 121 male: 70.51 years female: 75.82 years (2011 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.)
Major urban areas - population
(Major cities - population)
[time series]
SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) 40,000 (2009)
Median age
[time series]
total: 28.6 years male: 28.6 years female: 28.6 years (2011 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian
Net migration rate
[time series]
-3.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Physician density
(Physicians density)
[time series]
0.9756 physicians/1,000 population (1998) country comparison to the world: 103
Population
[time series]
108,419 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.551% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 97% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 3% of population total: 3% of population (2008)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2009)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.098 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
2.18 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 39% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Illicit drugs
[time series]
small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 195
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
Saint George's
Roadways
[time series]
total: 1,127 km country comparison to the world: 182 paved: 687 km unpaved: 440 km (2001)