Saint Kitts and Nevis: health and care

What is the life expectancy in St Kitts and Nevis?

Life expectancy at birth in St Kitts and Nevis was 72.3 years in 2024, 3.1 years higher than in 2000, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Saint Kitts and Nevis. PAHO says this is below the average for the Americas.

The profile puts infant mortality at 12 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, down from 16.4 in 2004, and says routine vaccination coverage has been above 96% each year. In 2017 the country was validated as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. PAHO builds its profiles from interagency estimates, which can differ from the latest national data.

Official sources: PAHO: Saint Kitts and Nevis country profile

How many people die in St Kitts and Nevis each year?

482 deaths were reported in St Kitts and Nevis in 2023: 378 on St Kitts and 104 on Nevis, according to the Department of Statistics' table of reported deaths for 2023, sourced from the Ministry of Health. Of the total, 279 were men and 203 women. June had the most deaths, 56.

The department's births and deaths page has the same monthly tables for each year from 2016, and tables by parish. Reported deaths are registrations passed to the Ministry of Health, so late registrations can change the totals later.

Official sources: Department of Statistics: Reported deaths 2023 · Department of Statistics: Births and deaths

How much does St Kitts and Nevis spend on health?

Public spending on health in St Kitts and Nevis was 3.54% of GDP in 2021 and 7.91% of total public spending, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Saint Kitts and Nevis. Out-of-pocket payments made up 38.85% of total health spending.

Out-of-pocket spending is what patients pay directly for care, such as fees and medicines, without insurance or government cover. The figures come from international health accounts and may differ from the federal budget. The Department of Statistics' health page has hospital admissions and ward occupancy at Joseph N. France General Hospital up to 2017.

Official sources: PAHO: Saint Kitts and Nevis country profile · Department of Statistics: Health

How common are obesity and diabetes in St Kitts and Nevis?

75.5% of people over 15 in St Kitts and Nevis were overweight or obese in 2022, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The profile gives diabetes prevalence of 14.5% in 2014, up from 9.9% in 2000, and high blood pressure among adults aged 18 and over of 25.3% in 2015.

PAHO adds that 32.2% of the population reported too little physical activity in 2016, and that women made up about 68% of people treated for high blood pressure and diabetes in public primary care at the end of 2020. The figures come from different years and sources, so compare each with its own earlier value rather than with each other.

Official sources: PAHO: Saint Kitts and Nevis country profile

How long do people live in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Saint Kitts and Nevis was 72.3 years in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 27th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 74.0 years. World rank, highest first: 114th of 193.

What is Saint Kitts and Nevis' infant mortality rate?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Saint Kitts and Nevis at 13.9 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 14th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 90th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 74.0 per 100,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 55.0 per 100,000; Saint Kitts and Nevis is 10th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 78th highest.

How much does Saint Kitts and Nevis spend on health?

The WHO puts current health spending in Saint Kitts and Nevis at 5.7% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 6.2% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 4.7% of GDP. It is 19th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.8% of GDP. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 108th highest.

How much do people in Saint Kitts and Nevis pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Saint Kitts and Nevis was 41.8%, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 57.1%; its low point was 2021, at 38.8%. It is 7th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.3%. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 191.

How many doctors does Saint Kitts and Nevis have?

In 2018, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Saint Kitts and Nevis was 3.1 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It was 1.1 per 1,000 in 2001. It is 5th highest of 24 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1.7 per 1,000. Worldwide: 44th of 156.

How many hospital beds does Saint Kitts and Nevis have?

4.0 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Saint Kitts and Nevis for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2011. It is 4th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 21st of 73.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Saint Kitts and Nevis was 95.0% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 93.0% (2014) to 99.0% (2005). It is 8th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 89.5%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 60th highest.