ARCHIVE // TT // 2017
Trinidad and Tobago
2017 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
16 TV networks (11 commercial, 5 non-commercial), 2 of which are state-owned that broadcast on multiple stations; 9 TV subscription service providers (cable and satellite); 19 radio networks, 1 state-owned, broadcast over about 35 stations (2016)
Internet country code
[time series]
.tt
Internet users
[time series]
total: 846,000 | percent of population: 69.2% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: excellent international service; good local service | domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity over 190 telephones per 100 persons | international: country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana (2016)
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 272,072 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total: 2.123 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 174 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
cocoa, dasheen, pumpkin, cassava, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, hot pepper, pommecythere, coconut water, poultry
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $6.733 billion | expenditures: $7.817 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
-5.2% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159
Central bank discount rate
[time series]
6.75% (04 March 2016 est.) | 6.75% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54
Commercial bank prime lending rate
[time series]
9% (31 December 2016 est.) | 8.18% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Current account balance
[time series]
$-2.395 billion (2016 est.) | $956.7 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157
Debt - external
[time series]
$8.746 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $7.195 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Trinidad and Tobago relies on its energy sector for much of its economic activity, and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8% per year, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then, contracting during 2009-12, making small gains in 2013 and contracting again in 2014-16. Trinidad and Tobago is buffered by considerable foreign reserves and a sovereign wealth fund that equals about one-and-a-half times the national budget, but the country is in a recession and the government faces the dual challenge of gas shortages and a low price environment. | Energy production and downstream industrial use dominate the economy. Oil and gas typically account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports but less than 5% of employment. Trinidad and Tobago is home to one of the largest natural gas liquefaction facilities in the Western Hemisphere. Trinidad and Tobago produces about nine times more natural gas than crude oil on an energy equivalent basis with gas contributing about two-thirds of energy sector government revenue. The US is the country’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28% of its total imports and taking 48% of its exports. | Economic diversification is a longstanding government talking point, and Trinidad and Tobago has much potential due to its stable, democratic government and its educated, English speaking workforce. The country is also a regional financial center with a well-regulated and stable financial system. Other sectors the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has targeted for increased investment and projected growth include tourism, agriculture, information and communications technology, and shipping. Unfortunately, a host of other factors, including low labor productivity, inefficient government bureaucracy, and corruption, have hampered economic development.
Exchange rates
[time series]
Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - | 6.669 (2016 est.) | 6.669 (2015 est.) | 6.4041 (2014 est.) | 6.4041 (2013 est.) | 6.39 (2012 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$8.714 billion (2016 est.) | $11.13 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Exports - commodities
[time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, cocoa, fish, preserved fruits, cosmetics, household cleaners, plastic packaging
Exports - partners
[time series]
US 39.2%, Argentina 9.3% (2016)
Fiscal year
[time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$21.13 billion (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$43.42 billion (2016 est.) | $45.31 billion (2015 est.) | $45.08 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 111
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 76.3% | government consumption: 17.4% | investment in fixed capital: 8.8% | investment in inventories: 0.6% | exports of goods and services: 48.1% | imports of goods and services: -50.7% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 0.4% | industry: 48.4% | services: 51.2% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$31,800 (2016 est.) | $33,700 (2015 est.) | $34,100 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 59
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
-5.4% (2016 est.) | -0.6% (2015 est.) | -0.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 214
Gross national saving
[time series]
9.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 12.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | 12.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$9.485 billion (2016 est.) | $8.602 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97
Imports - commodities
[time series]
mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals
Imports - partners
[time series]
US 33.4%, Russia 13.3%, Gabon 12.4%, China 6.1% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
-8.5% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Industries
[time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, food processing, cement, cotton textiles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
3.1% (2016 est.) | 4.7% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144
Labor force
[time series]
627,400 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 3.4% | industry: 11.5% | services: 84.7% (2015 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
[time series]
$177.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $171.6 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $170 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118
Population below poverty line
[time series]
20% (2014 est.)
Public debt
[time series]
62.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 51.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$9.995 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $10.38 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75
Stock of broad money
[time series]
$16.66 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $16.76 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
[time series]
$1.266 billion (2014 est.) | $2.061 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
[time series]
$382.9 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $311.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126
Stock of domestic credit
[time series]
$9.718 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $9.265 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106
Stock of narrow money
[time series]
$6.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $6.862 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
32.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70
Unemployment rate
[time series]
4.1% (2016 est.) | 3.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
(Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy)
[time series]
48 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62
Crude oil - exports
[time series]
32,620 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46
Crude oil - imports
[time series]
58,460 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53
Crude oil - production
[time series]
71,570 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48
Crude oil - proved reserves
[time series]
243 million bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
9.461 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - from fossil fuels
[time series]
99.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - from other renewable sources
[time series]
0.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - installed generating capacity
[time series]
2.117 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - production
[time series]
9.682 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity access
[time series]
population without electricity: 12,452 | electrification - total population: 99.8% | electrification - urban areas: 100% | electrification - rural areas: 99% (2012)
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
39.39 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
17.86 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
0 cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - production
[time series]
40.87 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
300.1 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 40
Refined petroleum products - consumption
[time series]
46,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108
Refined petroleum products - exports
[time series]
97,960 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43
Refined petroleum products - imports
[time series]
1,498 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195
Refined petroleum products - production
[time series]
109,300 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 5,128 sq km | land: 5,128 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 174
Area - comparative
[time series]
slightly smaller than Delaware
Climate
[time series]
tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Coastline
[time series]
362 km
Elevation
[time series]
mean elevation: 83 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
11 00 N, 61 00 W
Geography - note
[time series]
Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
Irrigated land
[time series]
70 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 10.6% | arable land 4.9%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 1.4% | forest: 44% | other: 45.4% (2011 est.)
Location
[time series]
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Map references
[time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
[time series]
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines | territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Natural hazards
[time series]
outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
Natural resources
[time series]
petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Population distribution
(Population - distribution)
[time series]
population on Trinidad concentrated in the western half of the island; on Tobago in the southern half
Terrain
[time series]
mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward | regions: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco | borough: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin | cities: Port of Spain, San Fernando | ward: Tobago
Capital
[time series]
name: Port of Spain | geographic coordinates: 10 39 N, 61 31 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship
[time series]
citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent: yes | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Constitution
[time series]
previous 1962; latest 1976; amended many times, last in 2007 (2016)
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago | conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago | etymology: explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the larger island "La Isla de la Trinidad" (The Island of the Trinity) on 31 July 1498 on his third voyage; the tobacco grown and smoked by the natives of the smaller island or its elongated cigar shape may account for the "tobago" name, which is spelled "tobaco" in Spanish
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John W. MCINTYRE (since 20 January 2017) | embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain | mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain | telephone: [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376 | FAX: [1] (868) 822-5905
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony Wayne Jerome PHILLIPS-SPENCER (since 27 June 2016) | chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 | telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 | FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 | consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Anthony CARMONA (since 18 March 2013) | head of government: Prime Minister Keith ROWLEY (since 9 September 2015) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among members of Parliament | elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college of selected Senate and House of Representatives members for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 February 2013 (next to be held by February 2018); the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives as prime minister | election results: Anthony CARMONA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote - 100%
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations, and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people
Government type
[time series]
parliamentary republic
Independence
[time series]
31 August 1962 (from the UK)
International law organization participation
[time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
[time series]
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest resident court(s): Supreme Court of the Judicature (consists of a chief justice for both the Court of Appeal with 12 judges and the High Court with 24 judges); note - Trinidad and Tobago can file appeals beyond its Supreme Court to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the parliamentary leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the Judicial Legal Services Commission, headed by the chief justice and 5 members with judicial experience; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 | subordinate courts: Courts of Summary Criminal Jurisdiction; Petty Civil Courts; Family Court
Legal system
[time series]
English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
Legislative branch
[time series]
description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president, and 6 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms;) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) | note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly (16 seats; 12 assemblymen directly elected by simple majority vote and 4 appointed councillors - 3 on the advice of the chief secretary and 1 on the advice of the minority leader; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: House of Representatives - last held on 7 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020) | election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 51.7%, People's Partnership coalition 46.6% (UNC 39.6%, COP 6.0%, other 1.0%), other 1.7%; seats by party - PNM 23, UNC 17, COP 1
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Forged From the Love of Liberty" | lyrics/music: Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE | note: adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962
National holiday
[time series]
Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
National symbol(s)
[time series]
scarlet ibis (bird of Trinidad), cocrico (bird of Tobago), Chaconia flower; national colors: red, white, black
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Congress of the People or COP | People's National Movement or PNM [Keith ROWLEY] | People's Partnrship [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR] (coalition includes UNC, COP, TOP, National Joint Action Committee) | National Joint Action Committee or NJAC [Kwasi MUTEMA] | Tobago Organization of the People or TOP [Ashworth JACK] | United National Congress or UNC [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR]
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Jamaat al-Muslimeen [Yasin ABU BAKR]
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.
Military and Security
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves (2010)
Military expenditures
[time series]
1.12% of GDP (2016) | 0.88% of GDP (2015) | 0.72% of GDP (2014) | 0.8% of GDP (2013) | 0.66% of GDP (2012)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription; Trinidad and Tobago citizenship and completion of secondary school required (2012)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 19.29% (male 119,651/female 115,348) | 15-24 years: 11.88% (male 75,402/female 69,333) | 25-54 years: 45.56% (male 289,244/female 265,808) | 55-64 years: 12.61% (male 76,601/female 77,056) | 65 years and over: 10.65% (male 56,550/female 73,215) (2017 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
12.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate
[time series]
8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 43.2 | youth dependency ratio: 29.8 | elderly dependency ratio: 13.5 | potential support ratio: 7.4 (2015 est.)
Drinking water source
[time series]
urban: 95.1% of population | rural: 95.1% of population | total: 95.1% of population | urban: 4.9% of population | rural: 4.9% of population | total: 4.9% of population (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, mixed - other 15.3%, mixed African/East Indian 7.7%, other 1.3%, unspecified 6.2% (2011 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
1.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
<500 (2016 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
11,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91
Health expenditure
(Health expenditures)
[time series]
5.9% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 108
Hospital bed density
[time series]
2.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 22.3 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 23.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72
Languages
[time series]
English (official), Trinidadian Creole English, Tobagonian Creole English, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Trinidadian Creole French, Spanish, Chinese
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 73.1 years | male: 70.2 years | female: 76.2 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99% | male: 99.2% | female: 98.7% (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases
[time series]
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) 34,000 (2014)
Maternal mortality ratio
(Maternal mortality rate)
[time series]
63 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Median age
[time series]
total: 36 years | male: 35.6 years | female: 36.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) | adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Net migration rate
[time series]
-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
18.6% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 116
Physician density
(Physicians density)
[time series]
1.18 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Population
[time series]
1,218,208 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160
Population distribution
[time series]
population on Trinidad is concentrated in the western half of the island, on Tobago in the southern half
Population growth rate
[time series]
-0.2% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 213
Religions
[time series]
Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congretational 2.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.)
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
urban: 91.5% of population | rural: 91.5% of population | total: 91.5% of population | urban: 8.5% of population | rural: 8.5% of population | total: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female | total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.71 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
(Unemployment, youth ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 8.4% | male: 7.4% | female: 9.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 8.3% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: -83% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's EEZ; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration, as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may also extend into its waters
Illicit drugs
[time series]
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
Trafficking in persons
[time series]
current situation: Trinidad and Tobago is a destination, transit, and possible source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and girls from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Colombia have been subjected to sex trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago’s brothels and clubs; some economic migrants from the Caribbean region and Asia are vulnerable to forced labor in domestic service and the retail sector; the steady flow of vessels transiting Trinidad and Tobago’s territorial waters may also increase opportunities for forced labor for fishing; international crime organizations are increasingly involved in trafficking, and boys are coerced to sell drugs and guns; corruption among police and immigration officials impedes anti-trafficking efforts | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Trinidad and Tobago does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts decreased from the initiation of 12 prosecutions in 2013 to 1 in 2014; the government has yet to convict anyone under its 2011 anti-trafficking law, and all prosecutions from previous years remain pending; the government sustained efforts to identify victims and to refer them for care at NGO facilities, which it provided with funding; the government failed to draft a national action plan as mandated under the 2011 anti-trafficking law and did not launch a sufficiently robust awareness campaign to educate the public and officials (2015)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
4 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 187
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 2 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
9Y (2016)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 4 | by type: passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1 | registered in other countries: 2 (unknown 2) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 132
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 17 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,617,842 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 43,198,176 mt-km (2015)
Pipelines
[time series]
condensate 257 km; condensate/gas 11 km; gas 1,567 km; oil 587 km (2013)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
major seaport(s): Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough | oil terminal(s): Galeota Point terminal | LNG terminal(s) (export): Port Fortin
Roadways
[time series]
total: 9,592 km | paved: 5,524 km | unpaved: 4,068 km (2015) | country comparison to the world: 137