Dominica has a GDP of $689M compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 190/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.
Dominica has $719M in government debt (100.4% of GDP), compared to $1.91B (74.5% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.
The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.
| Year | GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|||
| Current $ | Constant $ | Current $ | Constant $ | |
| 1977 | $45,872,947 | $233,294,627 | - | $483,071,666 |
| 1978 | $57,130,216 | $257,873,956 | - | $532,885,730 |
| 1979 | $55,017,759 | $210,530,140 | - | $553,096,671 |
| 1980 | $72,804,653 | $238,705,772 | $170,370,370 | $540,815,004 |
| 1981 | $82,107,391 | $264,556,011 | $194,444,444 | $574,941,800 |
| 1982 | $89,527,577 | $275,476,045 | $183,333,333 | $586,937,053 |
| 1983 | $98,665,191 | $282,518,089 | $197,037,037 | $616,080,731 |
| 1984 | $109,157,071 | $294,374,375 | $251,481,481 | $660,842,530 |
| 1985 | $119,491,933 | $298,557,239 | $284,444,444 | $715,611,607 |
| 1986 | $135,161,959 | $319,675,257 | $340,000,000 | $818,674,128 |
| 1987 | $151,868,754 | $339,838,969 | $375,555,556 | $850,796,702 |
| 1988 | $171,106,184 | $366,402,900 | $429,629,630 | $969,054,583 |
| 1989 | $185,137,243 | $365,702,570 | $486,666,667 | $1,056,085,416 |
| 1990 | $201,429,630 | $385,516,275 | $579,629,630 | $1,160,539,673 |
| 1991 | $219,762,963 | $390,712,129 | $613,703,704 | $1,164,899,565 |
| 1992 | $234,059,259 | $398,641,322 | $674,074,074 | $1,257,544,906 |
| 1993 | $245,525,926 | $407,257,612 | $684,814,815 | $1,264,878,904 |
| 1994 | $264,374,074 | $407,398,040 | $713,703,704 | $1,285,098,755 |
| 1995 | $274,522,222 | $419,745,715 | $762,962,963 | $1,307,565,184 |
| 1996 | $292,285,185 | $432,775,471 | $788,888,889 | $1,345,779,926 |
| 1997 | $302,988,889 | $442,234,332 | $805,925,926 | $1,336,438,462 |
| 1998 | $322,411,111 | $458,925,259 | $877,407,407 | $1,420,453,281 |
| 1999 | $331,759,259 | $460,550,217 | $921,851,852 | $1,458,387,956 |
| 2000 | $333,470,370 | $471,328,102 | $932,592,593 | $1,459,098,899 |
| 2001 | $377,462,963 | $471,027,184 | $892,592,593 | $1,409,371,876 |
| 2002 | $375,200,000 | $456,484,594 | $900,000,000 | $1,415,241,212 |
| 2003 | $373,318,519 | $482,983,317 | $987,407,407 | $1,475,595,751 |
| 2004 | $396,711,111 | $502,775,185 | $1,066,666,667 | $1,582,833,328 |
| 2005 | $391,455,556 | $507,377,018 | $1,135,555,556 | $1,576,338,888 |
| 2006 | $416,674,074 | $529,705,538 | $1,268,319,185 | $1,673,997,138 |
| 2007 | $444,685,185 | $558,086,830 | $1,336,088,815 | $1,702,314,784 |
| 2008 | $480,003,704 | $597,829,935 | $1,437,731,111 | $1,786,567,823 |
| 2009 | $515,618,519 | $591,040,073 | $1,401,507,889 | $1,736,027,614 |
| 2010 | $519,859,259 | $590,415,870 | $1,482,385,185 | $1,741,756,827 |
| 2011 | $532,081,481 | $590,668,208 | $1,568,370,370 | $1,817,121,649 |
| 2012 | $520,355,556 | $589,738,544 | $1,598,207,407 | $1,815,145,417 |
| 2013 | $545,325,926 | $589,765,106 | $1,660,392,593 | $1,782,131,987 |
| 2014 | $572,255,556 | $603,537,404 | $1,749,185,185 | $1,805,800,308 |
| 2015 | $583,177,778 | $583,177,778 | $1,807,640,741 | $1,807,640,741 |
| 2016 | $612,711,111 | $591,617,792 | $1,868,544,444 | $1,869,604,354 |
| 2017 | $563,355,556 | $546,983,994 | $1,998,503,704 | $1,932,793,731 |
| 2018 | $628,244,444 | $563,196,658 | $2,060,955,556 | $1,988,589,215 |
| 2019 | $644,259,259 | $585,432,211 | $2,095,344,444 | $1,974,662,680 |
| 2020 | $528,944,444 | $493,481,872 | $1,499,274,074 | $1,493,605,760 |
| 2021 | $562,911,111 | $520,030,399 | $1,867,185,185 | $1,666,845,860 |
| 2022 | $623,062,963 | $574,096,960 | $2,342,714,815 | $2,006,689,781 |
| 2023 | $659,311,111 | $595,064,187 | $2,430,166,667 | $2,051,035,272 |
| 2024 | $688,881,481 | $607,279,298 | $2,549,062,963 | $2,130,856,443 |
Economic indicators
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$689M
2024 |
$2.55B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
190/197
2024 |
172/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
4.49%
2023-2024 |
4.89%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$10,405
2024 |
$14,182
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
84/197
2024 |
70/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$21,301
2024 |
$27,567
2024 |
| Government debt |
$719M
2024 |
$1.91B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
100.4%
2025 |
74.5%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$10,858
2024 |
$10,604
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
53/185
2024 |
57/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$6,142
2025 |
$10,481
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
34.1%
2015 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
2.1%
2015 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
52.6%
2025 |
25%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
2.59%
2023-2024 |
-0.11%
2023-2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
11%
2001 |
10.1%
2024 |
| Population |
65870
|
180421
|
GDP per capita in Dominica vs Saint Lucia
Dominica's GDP per capita is $10,405, ranking 84/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Dominica ranks 91st at $21,301, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 1977 | $634 | - | - | - |
| 1978 | $786 | - | - | - |
| 1979 | $754 | - | - | - |
| 1980 | $996 | - | $1,428 | - |
| 1981 | $1,125 | - | $1,605 | - |
| 1982 | $1,232 | - | $1,489 | - |
| 1983 | $1,363 | - | $1,576 | - |
| 1984 | $1,515 | - | $1,979 | - |
| 1985 | $1,666 | - | $2,202 | - |
| 1986 | $1,893 | - | $2,591 | - |
| 1987 | $2,138 | - | $2,819 | - |
| 1988 | $2,423 | - | $3,182 | - |
| 1989 | $2,639 | - | $3,565 | - |
| 1990 | $2,893 | $4,667 | $4,205 | $6,951 |
| 1991 | $3,171 | $4,914 | $4,399 | $7,127 |
| 1992 | $3,376 | $5,125 | $4,760 | $7,753 |
| 1993 | $3,536 | $5,352 | $4,765 | $7,865 |
| 1994 | $3,805 | $5,465 | $4,892 | $8,041 |
| 1995 | $3,952 | $5,749 | $5,148 | $8,222 |
| 1996 | $4,211 | $6,041 | $5,244 | $8,490 |
| 1997 | $4,372 | $6,290 | $5,282 | $8,456 |
| 1998 | $4,664 | $6,617 | $5,673 | $8,965 |
| 1999 | $4,817 | $6,759 | $5,883 | $9,214 |
| 2000 | $4,867 | $7,111 | $5,880 | $9,314 |
| 2001 | $5,528 | $7,291 | $5,570 | $9,106 |
| 2002 | $5,488 | $7,167 | $5,568 | $9,205 |
| 2003 | $5,447 | $7,714 | $6,059 | $9,707 |
| 2004 | $5,779 | $8,232 | $6,495 | $10,610 |
| 2005 | $5,695 | $8,557 | $6,863 | $10,818 |
| 2006 | $6,056 | $9,200 | $7,611 | $11,758 |
| 2007 | $6,459 | $9,949 | $7,964 | $12,199 |
| 2008 | $6,971 | $10,862 | $8,517 | $12,969 |
| 2009 | $7,487 | $10,804 | $8,251 | $12,600 |
| 2010 | $7,550 | $10,924 | $8,674 | $12,718 |
| 2011 | $7,705 | $11,123 | $9,129 | $13,471 |
| 2012 | $7,529 | $10,921 | $9,260 | $13,443 |
| 2013 | $7,822 | $11,286 | $9,577 | $14,010 |
| 2014 | $8,132 | $12,083 | $10,045 | $14,403 |
| 2015 | $8,283 | $12,093 | $10,335 | $14,353 |
| 2016 | $8,803 | $12,945 | $10,638 | $15,307 |
| 2017 | $8,225 | $12,696 | $11,333 | $16,131 |
| 2018 | $9,215 | $15,070 | $11,643 | $17,433 |
| 2019 | $9,491 | $16,021 | $11,794 | $18,710 |
| 2020 | $7,828 | $14,244 | $8,411 | $14,912 |
| 2021 | $8,376 | $15,809 | $10,459 | $19,101 |
| 2022 | $9,324 | $18,802 | $13,104 | $24,599 |
| 2023 | $9,913 | $20,286 | $13,555 | $25,975 |
| 2024 | $10,405 | $21,301 | $14,182 | $27,567 |
Spending and national debt comparison
In 2024, Dominica's government spending was $416M, accounting for 52.6% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia's spent $618M, or 25% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.4% in Dominica and 74.5% in Saint Lucia, ranking 23/185 and 48/185, respectively.
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 1985 | - | - | 20.4% | 17.1% |
| 1986 | - | - | 21.1% | 17.2% |
| 1987 | - | - | 19.9% | 19.6% |
| 1988 | - | - | 18.2% | 18.6% |
| 1989 | - | - | 19% | 18.1% |
| 1990 | 32.9% | 56.6% | 16.7% | 17% |
| 1991 | 29.9% | 58.7% | 18.4% | 19.8% |
| 1992 | 28% | 55.3% | 18.4% | 22.2% |
| 1993 | 26.1% | 55.4% | 21.8% | 22.9% |
| 1994 | 27.7% | 57% | 19.1% | 23.8% |
| 1995 | 29.7% | 59.3% | 19.2% | 22.9% |
| 1996 | 29% | 54.7% | 18.9% | 24.1% |
| 1997 | 29.1% | 49.3% | 19.5% | 27.2% |
| 1998 | 33.5% | 57.1% | 18.8% | 29.4% |
| 1999 | 35.3% | 62% | 20.9% | 28.9% |
| 2000 | 38.9% | 69.6% | 20.7% | 32.5% |
| 2001 | 29.3% | 97.5% | 22.1% | 38.1% |
| 2002 | 29% | 99.4% | 23.6% | 48.8% |
| 2003 | 31.2% | 98.2% | 22.9% | 45.6% |
| 2004 | 30.1% | 85.8% | 22.9% | 49.6% |
| 2005 | 32.1% | 84.9% | 26% | 51.9% |
| 2006 | 30.9% | 80.4% | 24.7% | 48.6% |
| 2007 | 35.6% | 74.9% | 22.6% | 49.1% |
| 2008 | 35.9% | 66.5% | 22.2% | 46.7% |
| 2009 | 36.1% | 62.8% | 24.5% | 51% |
| 2010 | 39.7% | 67.3% | 26% | 53% |
| 2011 | 34.7% | 68.6% | 27% | 55.2% |
| 2012 | 36.6% | 74% | 28% | 60.8% |
| 2013 | 34.2% | 75.6% | 25.4% | 62.1% |
| 2014 | 33.3% | 73.5% | 23.6% | 62.4% |
| 2015 | 33.5% | 71.1% | 23.7% | 61.1% |
| 2016 | 45.8% | 72.9% | 23% | 61.3% |
| 2017 | 55.7% | 86.7% | 23.3% | 60.4% |
| 2018 | 66.7% | 90% | 23.2% | 60.5% |
| 2019 | 44% | 89.1% | 25.1% | 62.1% |
| 2020 | 70.1% | 118.2% | 35.2% | 100.8% |
| 2021 | 70.1% | 113.6% | 27.5% | 87.1% |
| 2022 | 72.7% | 108.3% | 22.9% | 74.1% |
| 2023 | 66.8% | 103.2% | 24.4% | 75.6% |
| 2024 | 60.4% | 104.3% | 24.2% | 74.8% |
| 2025 | 52.6% | 100.4% | 25% | 74.5% |
Government deficit by year
In 2024, Dominica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$20.6M, equivalent to -2.99% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of -$33.4M, or -1.31% of GDP.
Over the past 35 years, Dominica recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Dominica posted an annual deficit equal to -3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of -2.44% of GDP for Saint Lucia.
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
| 1985 | - | -1.5% |
| 1986 | - | -1.61% |
| 1987 | - | 0.56% |
| 1988 | - | 2.02% |
| 1989 | - | 0.89% |
| 1990 | -4.87% | 0.29% |
| 1991 | -3.08% | -0.43% |
| 1992 | -2.28% | -0.66% |
| 1993 | -1.46% | -0.26% |
| 1994 | -3.42% | -0.02% |
| 1995 | -2.97% | -0.13% |
| 1996 | -1.62% | -0.58% |
| 1997 | -2.31% | -1.13% |
| 1998 | -6.08% | 2.25% |
| 1999 | -9.2% | 1.62% |
| 2000 | -8.75% | -1.16% |
| 2001 | -6.48% | -3.08% |
| 2002 | -4.13% | -3.1% |
| 2003 | 0.88% | -3.23% |
| 2004 | -0.67% | -2.63% |
| 2005 | 0.98% | -6.18% |
| 2006 | 3.04% | -5.07% |
| 2007 | 1.88% | -1.62% |
| 2008 | 0.72% | -0.72% |
| 2009 | -0.31% | -2.67% |
| 2010 | -3.41% | -4.17% |
| 2011 | -4.34% | -5.38% |
| 2012 | -5.48% | -7.62% |
| 2013 | -2.95% | -4.84% |
| 2014 | -5.65% | -3.08% |
| 2015 | 11.8% | -2.35% |
| 2016 | 11% | -0.79% |
| 2017 | -3.37% | -1.14% |
| 2018 | -19.6% | -1.03% |
| 2019 | -7.95% | -3.51% |
| 2020 | -7.91% | -12.1% |
| 2021 | -8.61% | -5.1% |
| 2022 | -7.49% | -1.67% |
| 2023 | -4.66% | -2.65% |
| 2024 | -2.99% | -1.31% |
| 2025 | -2.76% | -2.15% |
Inflation comparison by year
Over the past 29 years, Dominica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.68%, compared with 2% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 2.59% in Dominica and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.
| Year | Inflation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
| 1996 | 1.68% | 0.92% | |
| 1997 | 2.44% | -0.006% | |
| 1998 | 1% | 3.2% | |
| 1999 | 1.18% | 3.5% | |
| 2000 | 0.86% | 3.71% | |
| 2001 | 1.3% | 5.31% | |
| 2002 | 0.17% | -0.26% | |
| 2003 | 1.45% | 1.03% | |
| 2004 | 2.39% | 1.46% | |
| 2005 | 1.68% | 3.9% | |
| 2006 | 2.2% | 2.4% | |
| 2007 | 3.63% | 2.82% | |
| 2008 | 6.36% | 5.55% | |
| 2009 | 0.006% | -0.16% | |
| 2010 | 3% | 3.25% | |
| 2011 | 1.13% | 2.77% | |
| 2012 | 1.36% | 4.18% | |
| 2013 | -0.05% | 1.47% | |
| 2014 | 0.8% | 3.52% | |
| 2015 | -0.84% | -0.98% | |
| 2016 | 0.14% | -3.08% | |
| 2017 | 0.3% | 0.1% | |
| 2018 | 0.99% | 1.94% | |
| 2019 | 1.5% | 0.54% | |
| 2020 | 1.22% | -1.76% | |
| 2021 | 2.23% | 2.41% | |
| 2022 | 2.88% | 6.38% | |
| 2023 | 5.09% | 4.07% | |
| 2024 | 2.59% | -0.11% | |
Top exports between countries
|
Dominica
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Chemicals & pharma | $1.31M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $467K |
| Machinery & equipment | $134K |
| Metals | $72K |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $23K |
| Raw agricultural goods | $18K |
| Raw materials & minerals | $18K |
| Animal & marine products | $2K |
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $2.54M |
| Machinery & equipment | $618K |
| Wood & paper products | $530K |
| Chemicals & pharma | $495K |
| Raw agricultural goods | $314K |
| Metals | $232K |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $81K |
| Raw materials & minerals | $57K |
| Miscellaneous | $16K |
| Animal & marine products | $12K |
Balance of trade
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
|---|---|---|
Current account balance
|
-$160M
2024 |
-$64.1M
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
92/189
2024 |
82/189
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-23.2%
2024 |
-2.52%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$231M
2024 |
$848M
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$22M
2024 |
$137M
2024 |
| Service imports |
$157M
2024 |
$598M
2024 |
| Service exports |
$191M
2024 |
$1.46B
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
8.5%
2025 |
19%
2025 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 55.3 | 67 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 128/197 | 53/197 |
| Property rights | 68.9 | 69.5 |
| Government integrity | 59.9 | 59 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 82.9 | 74.6 |
| Tax burden | 76.1 | 78.6 |
| Government spending | 0 | 82.5 |
| Fiscal health | 26.4 | 74.3 |
| Business freedom | 68 | 73.8 |
| Labor freedom | 49.9 | 64.9 |
| Monetary freedom | 76.8 | 76.6 |
| Trade freedom | 54.6 | 60 |
| Investment freedom | 60 | 50 |
| Financial freedom | 40 | 40 |
Economic freedom by year comparison
The Economic Freedom Index for Dominica is 55.3, ranking 128/197, compared to 67 for Saint Lucia, ranking 53/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
| 2009 | 62.6 | 68.8 |
| 2010 | 63.2 | 70.5 |
| 2011 | 63.3 | 70.8 |
| 2012 | 61.6 | 71.3 |
| 2013 | 63.9 | 70.4 |
| 2014 | 65.2 | 70.7 |
| 2015 | 66.1 | 70.2 |
| 2016 | 67 | 70 |
| 2017 | 63.7 | 65 |
| 2018 | 64.5 | 67.6 |
| 2019 | 63.6 | 68.7 |
| 2020 | 60.8 | 68.2 |
| 2021 | 53 | 67.5 |
| 2022 | 54.4 | 64.3 |
| 2023 | 59.7 | 60.7 |
| 2024 | 54 | 62.2 |
| 2025 | 55.3 | 67 |
More economic indicators
|
Dominica
|
Saint Lucia
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
56.9%
2024 |
75.9%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
13.9%
2024 |
9.75%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
12.2%
2024 |
1.13%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$676M
2024 |
$2.3B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$21,380
2024 |
$25,160
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$156M
2024 |
$406M
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
172/177
2024 |
162/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$36.4M
2024 |
-$187M
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$36.8M
2024 |
$179M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$419K
2024 |
-$8.14M
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
7.16%
2023 |
3.07%
2023 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
29%
2020 |
25%
2016 |
GDP per capita map
GDP per capita
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Economy comparisons
The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.
Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.
A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.
Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.