Saint Lucia: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Saint Lucia?

Life expectancy at birth in Saint Lucia was 72.8 years in 2024, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which use UN population estimates.

The figure is the number of years a newborn would live if that year's death rates held for life. It is a modelled estimate, not a count from Saint Lucia's own death register. The Ministry of Health's site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank API: life expectancy, Saint Lucia

How many doctors are there in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia had 4.23 doctors per 1,000 people in 2020, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which use WHO health workforce data. Health spending equalled 4.7% of GDP in 2023 (current health expenditure).

The doctors figure covers generalist and specialist physicians and is a ratio, not a count. Health spending includes public and private spending on health care but not hospital building. 2020 is the latest year shown.

Official sources: World Bank API: physicians per 1,000, Saint Lucia · World Bank API: health spending, Saint Lucia

Is St. Jude Hospital finished?

Construction on the St. Jude Hospital Reconstruction Project reached a finalised stage in the fourth quarter of 2025, including major structural and architectural works, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025.

The review lists the hospital as a priority capital project, alongside the OECS Regional Health Project, in the 2025/26 budget. It reports construction progress and spending, not when services move into the building. Health prices, measured in the consumer price index, rose 5.7% in 2025, led by medical examinations and glasses, according to the same review.

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

How long do people live in Saint Lucia?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 72.8 years. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.1 years (2021) to 73.0 years (2008). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Saint Lucia placed 23rd highest of 33. Worldwide: 105th of 193.

How many babies die in Saint Lucia?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Saint Lucia was 15.8 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 10th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 80th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Saint Lucia?

44.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Saint Lucia for 2023, according to the WHO. The peak was 94.0 per 100,000 in 2021 and the low 41.0 per 100,000 in 2018. Latin America & Caribbean median: 55.0 per 100,000; Saint Lucia is 22nd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 99th of 192.

How much does Saint Lucia spend on health?

4.7% of GDP: that is current health spending in Saint Lucia for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.3% of GDP (2018) to 7.0% of GDP (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.8% of GDP, and Saint Lucia placed 25th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 128th highest.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Saint Lucia?

37.1%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Saint Lucia for 2023, according to the WHO. The peak was 63.9% in 2007 and the low 33.4% in 2021. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.3%, and Saint Lucia placed 11th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 62nd highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Saint Lucia?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Saint Lucia at 4.2 per 1,000 in 2020. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 6.4 per 1,000; its low point was 2005, at 0.51 per 1,000. It is 4th highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 20th of 136.

What is hospital capacity in Saint Lucia?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Saint Lucia was 1.1 per 1,000 in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2011. It is 24th highest of 30 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.0 per 1,000. Of 110 countries with 2022 data, 93rd highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Saint Lucia?

83.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Saint Lucia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 99.0% in 2008 and the low 77.0% in 2021. Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Saint Lucia is 22nd highest of 32. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 132nd highest.