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Saint Lucia
Quick Facts
| Population: | 150,000 |
| Land area: | 616 square Km |
| Capital: | Castries |
| Language(s): | English |
| Local Currency: | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
| Exchange: | US$1.00 = EC$2.70 |
| UNDP Human Development Rank: | 72 of 177 |
| Life Expectancy: | 73.1 |
| Adult Literacy rate: | 94.8 |
| Official Government website: | http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/ |
Government
- Governor General - Dr. Pearlette LOUISY
- Prime Minister - Dr. Kenny D. ANTHONY
- Deputy Prime Minister - Philip J. PIERRE
- Attorney General and Minister for Justice -
- Min. for Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries & Rural Development - Moses Jn BAPTISTE
- Min. for Commerce, Business Development Investment & Consumer Affairs - Emma HIPPOLYTE
- Min. for Education, Human Resource Development & Labour - Dr. Robert LEWIS
- Min. for Finance and Economic Affairs - Dr. Kenny D. ANTHONY
- Min. for Foreign Affairs, International Trade & Civil Aviation - Alva BAPTISTE
- Min. for Health, Wellness, Human Services & Gender Relations - Alvina REYNOLDS
- Min. for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport - Philip J. PIERRE
- Min. for Legal Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security - Victor Phillip La CORBINIERE
- Min. for Physical Development, Housing & Urban Renewal - Senator Stanley FELIX
- Min. for Public service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology - Senator Dr. James FLETCHER
- Min. for Social Transformation, Local Government & Community Empowerment - Harold DALSOU
- Min. for Tourism, Heritage & The Creative Industries - Lorne THEOPHILUS
- Min. for Youth Development and Sports - Shawn EDWARD
- Junior Minister in the Min. for Commerce, Business Development & Consumer Affairs - Dr. Ubaldus RAYMOND
Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January); New Year's holiday (02 January); Carnival Day (10-11 February); Independence Day (22 February); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (01 May); Whit Monday; Corpus Christi (29 May); Emancipation Day (04 August); Thanksgiving (06 October); National Day (13 December); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) Holidays that fall on Sunday are celebrated on the Monday following
Economic Development
Economic Performance in 2010
According to the St. Lucia 2011 Budget Address, the real GDP of Saint Lucia grew by 4.4 percent in 2010 compared with a contraction of 1.3 percent in 2009. This growth was driven by the construction and tourism sectors supported by the distributive trades and the real estate
sector. Growth was tempered by the effects of Hurricane Tomas in the last quarter of 2010. According to a report by a team from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC), the estimated cost of the losses and damage from Hurricane Tomas amounted to $907.6 million. Infrastructure was the most heavily affected, representing 43 percent of the total impact while the productive and social sectors accounted for 33.8 percent and 23.0 percent respectively.
Tourism
In spite of Hurricane Tomas, the tourism industry recorded strong growth in 2010, with the number of stay over visitors increasing by 9.9 percent to a record 305,937. The improved performance was mainly attributable to increases from the US, Canadian and German markets, reflecting the introduction of new flight arrangements in the last quarter of 2009. The US market in particular performed extremely well, growing by 31 percent, reflecting not only additional flights but also effective marketing initiatives by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
Outlook for 2011
Saint Lucia’s economy is projected to grow further in 2011, driven mainly by tourism and construction. The heightened economic activity in 2011 is expected to positively impact the employment situation in Saint Lucia........
Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008
According to the survey the economies of the ECCU continued to show positive growth for the sixth consecutive year. In 2007, preliminary data indicated that growth slowed to 5.2% from 6.3% in 2006 as many public and private construction activities geared towards the CWC were completed. In addition there was a significant contraction in the tourism sector, which actually declined by 0.6% in 2007 compared to 6% in 2006. Fuelled by hikes in oil and food prices, especially in the last quarter of 2007, the rate of inflation increased to 6.1% from 1.3% in 2006 and is expected to continue on an upward trend in 2008. Economic growth will continue to slow but remain positive in 2008, projected at 3.8%, mainly influenced by the slowdown in the United States economy and rising international oil, food and other commodity prices.
In 2007 growth was strongest in Anguilla (21%), St Vincent and the Grenadines (6.9%) and Antigua and Barbuda (6.9%) while Hurricane Dean, which struck in August 2007, negatively impacted on the growth rates of Saint Lucia (1.7% compared to 4.9% in 2006) and Dominica (1.8% compared to 3.8% in 2006). Despite the challenge of continuous volcanic activity in Montserrat, the economy grew by 2.8% compared to negative growth of 3.8% in 2006. Intermediate growth of 3% was recorded in both St Kitts and Nevis while growth in Grenada was 4.4%. The main impetus of growth continued to be the construction sector with spill over effects into mining and quarrying, transportation and communication, electricity and water and banks and insurance. Construction activity will remain robust in 2008 driven by the private sector and the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
Economic Performance for 2007
St. Lucia: 2008 Article IV Consultation. Source: IMF
St. Lucia’s macroeconomic performance has been mixed in recent years. While real GDP growth averaged about 4 percent during 2003–06, it has slowed to 1¾ percent in 2007, reflecting contraction in hurricane-affected agriculture (mainly banana exports), and slowdowns in construction activity and stayover tourist arrivals. Inflation increased sharply to 6.8 percent at end-December 2007, due to higher imported fuel and food prices and the ongoing depreciation of the U.S. dollar (to which the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar is pegged). Unemployment has declined from 22 percent in 2003 to 14 percent in 2007.
Economic Statistics
St. Lucia: Statistical Appendix. October 6, 2008. Source: IMF
Social Development
MSI+5
Review of Progress made by Saint Lucia in Addressing Vulnerabilities of SIDS through Implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation (MSI) of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA)
The country has made considerable progress towards the attainment of the MDGs and, while the country still exhibits a relatively high index associated with human development, there are considerable social gaps and deficiencies, the most notable one being the high rate of unemployment
Source: United Nations
The Assessment of Poverty in St. Lucia. (Draft) vol.1
August 2006
This study on living conditions in St. Lucia was conducted in the latter half of 2005 and first quarter of 2006 by Kairi Consultants Limited (Kairi) in collaboration with the National Assessment Team of St. Lucia. The study was commissioned by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with the support of other development partners – DFID, EU, and CIDA.
This poverty assessment study has three overall objectives. The first is to assess the current living conditions affecting the welfare of people of St. Lucia and analyse the poverty situation, the processes that generate and maintain conditions conducive to poverty, existing responses to the poverty situation and the means available for effective actions to reduce poverty.
The second is to identify the policies, strategies and action programmes that would reduce the extent and severity of poverty in St. Lucia, enhance social development and improve the overall quality of life in the country.
The third is to develop recommendations and a programme of action which sets out strategic options for addressing critical issues emerging from the study, including recommendations to improve existing social development interventions, and the institutional and legal framework.
The study consists of four main components:
- A Macro-Economic and Social Analysis;
- A composite survey comprised of a Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and a Household Budgetary Survey (HBS);
- A Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA)
- An Institutional Analysis (IA).
DISASTERS
Assessed Cost of Damages Caused by Hurricane IVAN
September 7TH, 2004
This report provides the assessed cost of damage caused by the effects of Hurricane Ivan. It is only an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and does not include any significant details. Despite providing damage assessment from a sectoral standpoint, it must still be considered preliminary, particularly insofar as cost is concerned.
Source: St. Lucia National Emergency Management Org.
2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)
All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.
By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State
Education
Project Profile: St. Lucia Makes Secondary Education a Priority
October 16, 2009. -The Government of St. Lucia has sought to diversify its economy and has made education reform a central pillar of this effort. St. Lucia implemented a widely praised Basic Education Reform Plan with the support of the World Bank between 1995 and 2000. In 2000, the Government put into place a five-year (2000-2005) Education Sector Plan, which was developed using a highly participatory approach that involved parents, teachers, and students throughout the country.
Source: World Bank
Environment
- St Lucia wants urgent climate change action
Published on Wednesday, September 30, 2009
UNITED NATIONS: St. Lucia, a Caribbean island and a founder of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), calls climate change the most serious challenge facing mankind today.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Rufus George Bousquet, the island's Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Investment, called for an urgent collective response while detailing how his country was working on policies and legislation to develop renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and geothermal sources. Source: Caribbean Net News
Health
Saint Lucia National Mental Health Policy (Draft)
Ministry of Health, 2007
The National mental health Policy has been developed in response to the inadequacies of our current system in meeting the mental health service needs of the St. Lucian population and represents an attempt for the first time to coordinate and deliver care through national community-based activities and not through the Golden Hope Hospital as a stand-alone institution.
Legislation
Statistics
More Information
St. Lucia: World Bank Approves US$3.5 Million to Help Reduce Youth Unemployment
Washington, May 8, 2007
The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved a US$3.5 million zero-interest credit to increase youth employment in St. Lucia by providing private sector-driven training .The OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Project will improve the knowledge and skills of beneficiaries to help youth transition to the labor market. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC). It is the first phase of a regional program that is open to other countries in the region.
This project will assist the Government of St. Lucia to improve the competitiveness of the economy by providing youth with the skills, training and know-how sought by employers,” said Caroline Anstey, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. “Better education and training will allow young people to take advantage of the opportunities presented by a globalizing and growing economy.
Recent economic expansion in the region provides St. Lucia and other Caribbean countries with an opportunity to broaden the gains to youth. Youth unemployment in St. Lucia was 39% in 2005 compared to 13% for the workforce as a whole.
Recent World Bank data estimates that bringing youth unemployment down to the levels of the whole workforce would increase GDP by 1.3 percent. It would also help to reduce youth crime and violence which is negatively impacting economic growth.
Specifically, the project will support the following activities:
- Increasing the levels of training for unemployed youth through the establishment of a competitive training scheme that finances private sector-driven training. This component will subsidize training of approximately 1,850 unemployed youth and their placement in traineeships with private firms to gain on-the-job experience.
- Developing an improved policy framework for delivering training. This component will enhance OECS collaboration for training to reap the benefits of economies of scale, introducing occupational standards to increase the quality and value of training.
- Strengthening the institutional capacity of the National Skills Development Centre and the Ministry of Education to better implement, monitor, and plan training.
Improving provision of a skilled labor force in areas relevant to the economy will enhance investment outcomes,” said Andreas Blom, World Bank task manager for the project. “Additionally, public- private partnerships such as this showcase how public funds can efficiently leverage private resources.
The US$3.5 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA),the institution of the World Bank that provides interest-free loans, has a 35-year maturity and a 10-year grace period.
For more information on the OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Project
Key Documents
Up one level- Report on the Expert group meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector LC/CAR/L.236 December 2009
- Review of the economics of climate change in the Caribbean Phase II - the water sector. LC/CAR/L.260
- Climate change and the macroeconomy in the Caribbean basin: Analysis and projections to 2099. LC/CAR/L.264
- Survey of ICT and Education in the Caribbean:a summary report based on 16 country surveys. (Vol. 2)
- Enhancing the Climate Risk and Adaptation Fact Base for the Caribbean: An informational brochure highlighting the preliminary results of the ECA Study
- ECCB. Financial Statistics Yearbook. 2005
- Exploring policy linkages between poverty, crime and violence: A look at three Caribbean states: LC/CAR/L.172
- Exploring policy linkages between poverty, crime and violence: A look at three Caribbean states: LC/CAR/L.172
- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Impact of changes in the European Union import regimes for sugar, banana and rice on selected CARICOM countries: LC/CAR/L.168
- The OECS Deepening and Strengthening Integration Through an Economic Union: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Review of Progress made by Saint Lucia in Addressing Vulnerabilities of SIDS through Implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation (MSI) of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA)
- The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 'Economic and Financial Review' March 2008
- IMF Executive Board Concludes 2008 Article IV Consultation with St. Lucia.
- Consolidating Gains, Developing a World Class Destination and Enhancing Human Resource Capacity: Budget Address 2005-2006. By The Honourable DR. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister
- From recovery to expansion: St. Lucia budget address 2006-2007
- Toward An Integrated Economic Development Strategy
- St. Lucia Budget Address. 2005-2006: Consolidating Gains, Developing a World Class Destination and Enhancing Human Resource Capacity.
- Review of the Economics of Climate Change (RECC) in the Caribbean project: phase I - Climate change profiles in select Caribbean countries. LC/CAR/L.250
Bibliography
Up one level- World Economic and Financial Surveys. Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere:Grappling with the Global Financial Crisis
- Environmentally Sound Technologies for Wastewater and Stormwater Management - Financing
- The Economic Outlook for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union
- Youth, unemployment and the Caribbean Information Society: a challenge and an opportunity
- Caribbean Regional Youth Caucus
- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States: Draft of the New Treaty
- THE CULTURAL INDUSTRIES IN CARICOM: TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES
- Saint Lucia Government Statistics Department Publications
- Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2006. Trends 2007
- St. Lucia Economic Review
- A Time to Choose: Caribbean Development in the 21st Century
- OECS. Towards a New Agenda for Growth
- An Exercise in Appropriate Technology - Case Study of a Typical Village in St. Lucia
- Labour Market Regulation and Employment in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Commonwealth Focus on Small States
- Sustainable Tourism in St. Lucia- A Sustainability Assessment of Trade and Liberalization in Tourism -services
- Preliminary assesment of Tourism sector in the context of physical alterations and destruction of habitats (PADH) in the wider caribbean region
- POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TOURISM - Draft
- Caribbean Air Transport: Strategic Options for Improved Services and Sector Performance