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Economy of Saint Lucia vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saint Lucia has a GDP of $2.66B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 173/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Lucia has $2.05B in government debt (77.1% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Saint Lucia vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Saint Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Lucia Trinidad
2025 $2,656,444,444 $25,942,749,718
2024 $2,605,148,148 $25,633,544,529
2023 $2,441,259,259 $25,036,993,423
2022 $2,319,888,889 $28,341,164,301
2021 $1,871,111,111 $24,222,963,263
2020 $1,521,740,741 $20,888,515,184
2019 $2,090,074,074 $23,477,745,792
2018 $2,060,955,556 $23,883,058,083
2017 $1,998,503,704 $23,830,750,901
2016 $1,868,544,444 $23,624,322,193
2015 $1,807,640,741 $26,841,141,793
2014 $1,749,185,185 $29,474,180,005
2013 $1,660,392,593 $28,560,537,057
2012 $1,598,207,407 $27,147,349,937
2011 $1,568,370,370 $25,433,007,437
2010 $1,482,385,185 $22,157,920,592
2009 $1,401,507,889 $19,172,165,226
2008 $1,437,731,111 $27,871,587,350
2007 $1,336,088,815 $21,641,620,050
2006 $1,268,319,185 $18,369,361,094
2005 $1,135,555,556 $15,982,389,018
2004 $1,066,666,667 $13,280,291,990
2003 $987,407,407 $11,305,459,802
2002 $900,000,000 $9,008,298,229
2001 $892,592,593 $8,824,849,191
2000 $932,592,593 $8,154,342,116
1999 $921,851,852 $6,808,982,521
1998 $877,407,407 $6,043,686,654
1997 $805,925,926 $5,737,771,523
1996 $788,888,889 $5,759,570,336
1995 $762,962,963 $5,329,217,747
1994 $713,703,704 $4,947,181,646
1993 $684,814,815 $4,669,491,134
1992 $674,074,074 $5,439,552,941
1991 $613,703,704 $5,307,905,882
1990 $579,629,630 $5,068,000,000
1989 $486,666,667 $4,323,058,824
1988 $429,629,630 $4,496,910,569
1987 $375,555,556 $4,797,777,778
1986 $340,000,000 $4,794,444,444
1985 $284,444,444 $7,375,918,367
1984 $251,481,481 $7,757,083,333
1983 $197,037,037 $7,763,750,000
1982 $183,333,333 $8,140,416,667
1981 $194,444,444 $6,992,083,333
1980 $170,370,370 $6,235,833,333
1979 - $4,602,416,625
1978 - $3,562,333,458
1977 - $3,138,666,667
1976 - $2,500,424,955
1975 - $2,442,669,825
1974 - $2,042,001,071
1973 - $1,308,785,431
1972 - $1,083,391,758
1971 - $896,765,215
1970 - $821,850,000
1969 - $779,200,000
1968 - $758,899,950
1967 - $761,981,912
1966 - $723,739,857
1965 - $736,573,159
1964 - $711,897,520
1963 - $678,239,329
1962 - $619,322,810
1961 - $584,964,621
1960 - $535,673,252

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saint Lucia vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Lucia Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,746 - $18,967 -
2024 $14,494 $27,567 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $13,617 $25,975 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $12,976 $24,599 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $10,481 $19,101 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $8,537 $14,912 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $11,764 $18,710 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $11,643 $17,433 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $11,333 $16,131 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $10,638 $15,307 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $10,335 $14,353 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $10,045 $14,403 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $9,577 $14,010 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $9,260 $13,443 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $9,129 $13,471 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $8,674 $12,718 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $8,251 $12,600 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $8,517 $12,969 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $7,964 $12,199 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $7,611 $11,758 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $6,863 $10,818 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $6,495 $10,610 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $6,059 $9,707 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $5,568 $9,205 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $5,570 $9,106 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $5,880 $9,314 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $5,883 $9,214 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $5,673 $8,965 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $5,282 $8,456 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $5,244 $8,490 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $5,148 $8,222 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $4,892 $8,041 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $4,765 $7,865 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $4,760 $7,753 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $4,399 $7,127 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $4,205 $6,951 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $3,565 - $3,482 -
1988 $3,182 - $3,656 -
1987 $2,819 - $3,941 -
1986 $2,591 - $3,985 -
1985 $2,202 - $6,212 -
1984 $1,979 - $6,613 -
1983 $1,576 - $6,690 -
1982 $1,489 - $7,091 -
1981 $1,605 - $6,160 -
1980 $1,428 - $5,559 -
1979 - - $4,155 -
1978 - - $3,258 -
1977 - - $2,907 -
1976 - - $2,345 -
1975 - - $2,319 -
1974 - - $1,962 -
1973 - - $1,273 -
1972 - - $1,067 -
1971 - - $894 -
1970 - - $829 -
1969 - - $795 -
1968 - - $783 -
1967 - - $797 -
1966 - - $768 -
1965 - - $793 -
1964 - - $780 -
1963 - - $756 -
1962 - - $704 -
1961 - - $678 -
1960 - - $634 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Saint Lucia's GDP per capita is $14,746, ranking 72/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Saint Lucia Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$2.66B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
173/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.57%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,746
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
72/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,567
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
75/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$2.05B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
77.1%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,365
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
53/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,464
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2015
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2015
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.03%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
7.66%
2025
4.01%
2024
Population
180676
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Lucia Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 25.2% 77.1% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 24.4% 76.7% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 25.3% 75.2% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 23.8% 73.9% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 26.7% 81.9% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 33.1% 94.4% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 24.6% 62.1% 31% 62.9%
2018 23.2% 60.3% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 23% 59.9% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 22.6% 60.2% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 22.1% 60.6% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 22.6% 61.9% 33% 37.1%
2013 24.3% 61.2% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 27.1% 60.2% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 26.9% 54.9% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 25.6% 52.2% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 24.2% 50.2% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 22.3% 46.9% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 24.4% 48% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 25.3% 50.4% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 22.5% 48.8% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 22.5% 44.7% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 23% 47.7% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 22% 38% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 20.9% 32.8% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 20.9% 28.8% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 18.6% 29.1% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 19% 26.6% 27.4% 51.3%
1996 18.8% 23.9% 28.2% 51.9%
1995 19% 22.7% 26.7% 57.3%
1994 18.7% 23.4% 26.5% 64.8%
1993 21.6% 22.7% 27.3% 59.6%
1992 18.3% 22.1% 28.8% 49.5%
1991 18% 19.3% 30% 50%
1990 16.5% 16.7% 27.9% 49.5%
1989 19% 18.1% 30.9% 51.9%
1988 18.2% 18.6% 45.3% 65.3%
1987 19.9% 19.6% - -
1986 21.1% 17.2% - -
1985 20.4% 17.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Saint Lucia's government spending was $671M, accounting for 25.2% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 77.1% in Saint Lucia and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 48/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Lucia Trinidad
2025 -2.88% -5.46%
2024 -1.81% -5.92%
2023 -3.18% -1.2%
2022 -2.48% 0.96%
2021 -5.35% -8.39%
2020 -11.5% -11.8%
2019 -2.95% -3.72%
2018 -1.22% -5.89%
2017 -2.09% -10.5%
2016 -1.53% -9.84%
2015 -1.18% -7.37%
2014 -2.29% -4.34%
2013 -3.98% -2.7%
2012 -6.93% -1.28%
2011 -5.35% -0.69%
2010 -4.11% 0.14%
2009 -2.63% -4.88%
2008 -0.72% 5.7%
2007 -1.59% 3.24%
2006 -5.01% -0.3%
2005 -6% 0.84%
2004 -2.58% 1.91%
2003 -3.17% 1.9%
2002 -3.03% -0.2%
2001 -3.07% 0.62%
2000 -1.17% 0.18%
1999 1.61% -0.9%
1998 2.22% -1.83%
1997 -1.1% 0.11%
1996 -0.57% -0.46%
1995 -0.13% 0.17%
1994 -0.02% -0.02%
1993 -0.25% 0.24%
1992 -0.66% -2.76%
1991 -0.42% -0.21%
1990 0.29% -1.32%
1989 0.89% -4.46%
1988 2.02% -9.34%
1987 0.56% -
1986 -1.61% -
1985 -1.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Saint Lucia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $76.5M, equivalent to 2.88% of GDP. This compares to Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Saint Lucia recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Saint Lucia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Lucia Trinidad
2025 2.03% 0.99%
2024 -0.67% 0.53%
2023 3.82% 4.63%
2022 9.65% 5.83%
2021 2.41% 2.06%
2020 -1.76% 0.6%
2019 0.54% 1%
2018 1.94% 1.02%
2017 0.1% 1.88%
2016 -3.08% 3.07%
2015 -0.98% 4.66%
2014 3.52% 5.68%
2013 1.47% 5.2%
2012 4.18% 9.26%
2011 2.77% 5.11%
2010 3.25% 10.5%
2009 -0.16% 6.98%
2008 5.55% 12%
2007 2.82% 7.89%
2006 2.4% 8.33%
2005 3.9% 6.87%
2004 1.46% 3.72%
2003 1.03% 3.81%
2002 -0.26% 4.15%
2001 5.31% 5.54%
2000 3.71% 3.56%
1999 3.5% 3.44%
1998 3.2% 5.61%
1997 -0.006% 3.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Saint Lucia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.13%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 2.03% in Saint Lucia and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.47M
Wood & paper products $1.47M
Raw materials & minerals $552K
Machinery & equipment $547K
Raw agricultural goods $523K
Chemicals & pharma $329K
Metals $120K
Miscellaneous $65K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Animal & marine products $1K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25.2M
Raw materials & minerals $22.8M
Chemicals & pharma $7.41M
Wood & paper products $3.83M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.06M
Metals $2.2M
Machinery & equipment $1.97M
Raw agricultural goods $1.16M
Animal & marine products $497K
Miscellaneous $45K

Balance of trade

Saint Lucia Trinidad
Current account balance
-$166M
2025
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2025
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.26%
2025
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$834M
2025
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$144M
2025
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$672M
2025
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$1.4B
2025
$1.27B
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2026
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Saint Lucia Trinidad
Economic freedom 67.5 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 57/197 87/197
Property rights 64.3 47.3
Government integrity 59.7 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 77.3 58.8
Tax burden 77.7 76.1
Government spending 82.6 71.1
Fiscal health 80 86.3
Business freedom 71.9 67.1
Labor freedom 65.2 57.2
Monetary freedom 81 81
Trade freedom 60 68.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Lucia Trinidad
2026 67.5 62.4
2025 67 63.6
2024 62.2 60.4
2023 60.7 59.5
2022 64.3 58.8
2021 67.5 59
2020 68.2 58.3
2019 68.7 57
2018 67.6 57.7
2017 65 61.2
2016 70 62.9
2015 70.2 64.1
2014 70.7 62.7
2013 70.4 62.3
2012 71.3 64.4
2011 70.8 66.5
2010 70.5 65.7
2009 68.8 68
2008 - 69.5
2007 - 70.6
2006 - 70.4
2005 - 71.5
2004 - 71.3
2003 - 68.8
2002 - 70.1
2001 - 71.8
2000 - 74.5
1999 - 72.4
1998 - 72
1997 - 71.3
1996 - 69.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Lucia is 67.5, ranking 57/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saint Lucia Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
73.8%
2025
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.66%
2025
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.42B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,180
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$447M
2025
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2025
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$175M
2025
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$187M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$350K
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
25%
2016
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
19%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.