Saint Lucia: economy

What is Saint Lucia's GDP growth rate?

Saint Lucia's real GDP fell an estimated 0.6% in 2025, from $6,131.6 million to $6,096.4 million at 2018 prices, according to the Government of Saint Lucia's Economic and Social Review 2025, published by the Ministry of Finance. It was the first contraction since 2020, and the weakest result in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

The figures are preliminary and in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Accommodation and food services, the largest sector, shrank 4.9% as tourism weakened, while agriculture grew 7.2% and manufacturing 2.7%. GDP per head was US$14,238.

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

How many tourists visit Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia received 1,146,770 visitors in 2025, 5.6% fewer than in 2024, including 426,676 stay-over visitors, down 2.1%, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Cruise passengers fell 7.7% to 668,086.

Stay-over visitors matter most for the economy, because they use hotels and spend more than cruise passengers, who come for the day. Yacht arrivals fell 3.7% to 41,349. The review is listed on the Ministry of Finance's website.

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

What is the Eastern Caribbean dollar exchange rate?

One US dollar was worth EC$2.7 in both 2024 and 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Saint Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar, issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

The rate stays the same because the EC dollar is pegged to the US dollar, a link the ECCB discusses on its website, so it moves against the euro and pound only as the US dollar does. Banks and exchange bureaus add their own margin when changing money.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF) · Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

What is the hotel occupancy rate in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia's average hotel occupancy rate fell to 71.7% in 2025 from 73.4% in 2024, according to the Government of Saint Lucia's Economic and Social Review 2025, using Ministry of Tourism data. Hotel bed nights fell 6.7% to 2.4 million.

The review links the fall to fewer stay-over visitors and shorter stays, with the average stay falling from 7.4 to 7.2 days. By type of property, economy properties had the highest occupancy, at 75.0%, followed by luxury resorts at 73.4%, all-inclusive properties at 73.3% and boutique hotels at 65.3%. The figures for 2025 are preliminary.

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

What does Saint Lucia import and export?

Saint Lucia imported EC$2,464.5 million of goods in 2025, 5.3% less than in 2024, and exported EC$244.3 million, including re-exports, down 1.9%, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Imports equalled 34.4% of GDP.

A smaller fuel import bill, after the fall in world oil prices, drove the drop in imports, while imports of capital goods rose 13.5% to $587.8 million and vehicle imports rose to $126.5 million. Domestic exports fell to $81.4 million. Beverages, mainly alcoholic drinks at $40.8 million, were the largest domestic export. Figures are preliminary.

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

What are interest rates in Saint Lucia?

Commercial banks in Saint Lucia paid a weighted average deposit rate of 1.07% in 2025 and charged a weighted average lending rate of 6.39%, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Both rates edged down from 2024, and the spread between them widened to 5.33 percentage points.

The review says more deposits were held in accounts that pay no interest, as banks sought to cut interest costs. Saint Lucia has no central bank of its own: monetary policy for the currency union is set by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Official sources: Government of Saint Lucia: Economic and Social Review 2025 (PDF) · Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

What is Saint Lucia's economic growth rate?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Saint Lucia was -0.6%, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 19.3%; its low point was 2020, at -22.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.7%; Saint Lucia is 28th highest of 31. World rank, highest first: 172nd of 180.

What is Saint Lucia's GDP per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Saint Lucia at $14,746 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 11th highest of 31 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $10,989. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 180.

What is Saint Lucia's GDP per capita at PPP?

$28,674 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Saint Lucia for 2025, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: $22,756 in international dollars; Saint Lucia is 11th highest of 30. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 68th highest.

Does Saint Lucia earn more abroad than it spends?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in Saint Lucia was -6.3% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). The peak was 3.3% of GDP in 2019 and the low -29.3% of GDP in 2006. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was -1.2% of GDP, and Saint Lucia placed 21st highest of 27. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.

What is FDI in Saint Lucia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 7.3% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.2% of GDP (2018) to 22.8% of GDP (2006). Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.5% of GDP; Saint Lucia is 6th highest of 31. Worldwide: 24th of 179.

What interest rate do banks charge in Saint Lucia?

According to the IMF, the average bank lending rate in Saint Lucia was 6.3% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 21st highest of 23 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 57th of 73.