Saint Lucia: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia's inflation rate averaged 0.7% in 2025, after prices fell 0.8% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. The review says this was lower than in most regional peers.

Personal care costs pushed the miscellaneous goods and services index up 12.2%. Housing, water, electricity and fuels rose 2.6%, because of higher rents and housing costs, while electricity and fuel prices fell. Food and non-alcoholic drinks fell 2.2%. Lower freight costs and government measures helped keep inflation down.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF)

How much is petrol in Saint Lucia?

The pump price of gasoline and diesel in Saint Lucia was cut from EC$16.50 to EC$16.00 per imperial gallon on 28 April 2025 and stayed there for the rest of 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. The 20-pound cooking gas cylinder was cut to EC$34.00 in November 2025.

Fuel prices are set by government, which subsidises cooking gas. The LPG subsidy cost $7.5 million in 2025, down from $9.3 million. The average imported cost of gasoline fell 8.0% to EC$8.88 a gallon. Kerosene was subsidised in 2025 for the first time since 2012.

Official sources: Government of Saint Lucia: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF)

How much is electricity in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia's domestic electricity tariff for the first 180 kWh a month fell to EC$0.843 per kWh in 2025 from $0.914, and to $0.893 per kWh for use above that, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Including the fuel surcharge, the average unit cost for the first 180 kWh fell 3.6% to $0.813.

Bills have two parts: a tariff reset each January and a monthly fuel surcharge that follows the cost of diesel bought by LUCELEC, the electricity company. The surcharge was negative on average in 2025, lowering bills, as diesel cost fell 5.0% to $8.63 a gallon. Hotel, commercial and industrial users pay higher tariffs.

Official sources: Government of Saint Lucia: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF)

Are food prices going up in Saint Lucia?

Food prices in Saint Lucia fell 2.9% in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. The food and non-alcoholic beverages index, the largest part of the consumer price index, fell 2.2%.

The review links the fall to lower world food prices, better supply and the removal of VAT from some food items. Milk, cheese and eggs fell 9.2%, oils and fats 7.9% and meat 2.6%, while fish and seafood rose 1.0% and non-alcoholic drinks 6.9%. The consumer price index is compiled by the Central Statistical Office, and figures for 2025 are preliminary.

Official sources: Government of Saint Lucia: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF)

How fast are prices rising in Saint Lucia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 2.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 9.7%; its low point was 2016, at -3.1%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1%, and Saint Lucia placed 16th highest of 29. Worldwide: 112th of 165.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Saint Lucia?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Saint Lucia was 0.1% in 2015. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 4.8%, and Saint Lucia placed 14th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 70th of 86.

How many people in Saint Lucia are poor?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2015, is 25.0%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 23.3%, and Saint Lucia placed 3rd highest of 9. Of 54 countries with 2015 data, 13th highest.

What is income inequality in Saint Lucia?

43.7: that is the Gini index in Saint Lucia for 2015, according to the World Bank. It is 11th highest of 14 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 46.4. Of 86 countries with 2015 data, 16th highest.

How many people in Saint Lucia go hungry?

22.2%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in Saint Lucia for 2017, according to the FAO. It is 13th highest of 17 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 26.2%. Worldwide: 54th of 114.