Saint Lucia: public finances

What is Saint Lucia's debt to GDP ratio?

Saint Lucia's public debt was EC$5,440.5 million at the end of December 2025, equal to 75.9% of GDP, up from 72.6% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Debt rose 6.5% in the year, and external debt was 46.4% of GDP.

The rise came mostly from central government borrowing, through bond issues and loans. Debt service took 22.5% of current revenue. The average cost of central government debt fell to 4.68% from 4.94%, helped by lower global interest rates.

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

Does Saint Lucia have a budget deficit?

Saint Lucia's central government had an overall deficit of EC$139.8 million in 2025/26, smaller than the $162.3 million deficit in 2024/25, according to year-end estimates in the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. The primary balance, which leaves out interest, was a surplus of $94.2 million, or 1.3% of GDP.

Revenue and grants rose 7.6% to $1,708.8 million, while spending rose 5.6% to $1,848.6 million, with capital spending up 27.6%. These are estimates and may change in the final accounts.

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

How much tax does Saint Lucia collect?

Saint Lucia's central government collected EC$1,708.8 million in revenue and grants in 2025/26, up 7.6% and equal to 23.6% of GDP, according to preliminary estimates in the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Tax revenue rose 6.2% to $1,465.2 million.

Net VAT brought in $442.4 million and taxes on income $388.9 million, including $178.7 million of personal income tax. Import duty raised $173.4 million. Non-tax revenue rose mainly because of transfers from the citizenship by investment programme's National Economic Fund. The fiscal year runs from April to March.

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

How much does the Saint Lucia government spend?

Saint Lucia's central government spending was projected at EC$1,848.6 million in 2025/26, up 5.6% and equal to 25.6% of GDP, according to the year-end outlook in the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Current spending rose 2.6% to $1,580.7 million, and capital spending rose by $58.0 million.

Goods and services rose 9.5% to $407.1 million, the largest rise in current spending. Capital projects included the St. Jude Hospital reconstruction and the Millennium Highway and West Coast Road upgrade. The government's budgeted spending on education was $262.0 million. These are outlook figures and may change when final accounts are published.

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

How much does Saint Lucia pay on its debt?

Saint Lucia's debt service payments rose 9.4% to EC$343.5 million in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's Economic and Social Review 2025. Debt service took 21.7% of current revenue, up from 21.2% in 2024.

The rise came mostly from larger principal repayments on both external and domestic debt, with interest costs rising moderately. Debt service is what the government pays each year in interest and repayments; it is separate from the total debt stock of $5,440.5 million at the end of 2025.

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

What is Saint Lucia's national debt?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in Saint Lucia was 76.8% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 93.9% of GDP in 2020 and the low 46.8% of GDP in 2008. Latin America & Caribbean median: 65.6% of GDP; Saint Lucia is 10th highest of 31. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 47th highest.

Does Saint Lucia's government borrow more than it raises?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Saint Lucia at -1.9% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 1.3% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -11.5% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: -2.8% of GDP; Saint Lucia is 11th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 72nd of 188.

How much revenue does Saint Lucia's government raise?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 23.6% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 23.7% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 19.1% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 24.9% of GDP; Saint Lucia is 19th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 111th of 187.

What is Saint Lucia's government spending?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 25.5% of GDP. The peak was 32.6% of GDP in 2020 and the low 21.9% of GDP in 2007. It is 19th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 26.7% of GDP. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 116th highest.

What is tax revenue in Saint Lucia?

In 2017, central government tax revenue in Saint Lucia was 18.2% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 17.2% of GDP (2012) to 19.1% of GDP (2016). It is 5th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.8% of GDP. Of 143 countries with 2017 data, 53rd highest.