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Economy of Saint Lucia vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saint Lucia has a GDP of $2.55B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 173/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Lucia has $1.97B in government debt (77.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Saint Lucia vs United States GDP by year

Saint Lucia
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Lucia United States
2024 $2,549,062,963 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $2,430,166,667 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $2,342,714,815 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $1,867,185,185 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $1,499,274,074 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $2,095,344,444 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $2,060,955,556 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $1,998,503,704 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $1,868,544,444 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $1,807,640,741 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $1,749,185,185 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $1,660,392,593 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $1,598,207,407 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $1,568,370,370 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $1,482,385,185 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $1,401,507,889 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $1,437,731,111 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $1,336,088,815 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $1,268,319,185 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $1,135,555,556 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $1,066,666,667 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $987,407,407 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $900,000,000 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $892,592,593 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $932,592,593 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $921,851,852 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $877,407,407 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $805,925,926 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $788,888,889 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $762,962,963 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $713,703,704 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $684,814,815 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $674,074,074 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $613,703,704 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $579,629,630 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $486,666,667 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $429,629,630 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $375,555,556 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $340,000,000 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $284,444,444 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $251,481,481 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $197,037,037 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $183,333,333 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $194,444,444 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $170,370,370 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saint Lucia vs United States by year

Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Lucia United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,182 $27,567 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $13,555 $25,975 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $13,104 $24,599 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $10,459 $19,101 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $8,411 $14,912 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $11,794 $18,710 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $11,643 $17,433 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $11,333 $16,131 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $10,638 $15,307 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $10,335 $14,353 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $10,045 $14,403 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $9,577 $14,010 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $9,260 $13,443 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $9,129 $13,471 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $8,674 $12,718 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $8,251 $12,600 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $8,517 $12,969 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $7,964 $12,199 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $7,611 $11,758 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $6,863 $10,818 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $6,495 $10,610 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $6,059 $9,707 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $5,568 $9,205 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $5,570 $9,106 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $5,880 $9,314 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $5,883 $9,214 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $5,673 $8,965 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $5,282 $8,456 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $5,244 $8,490 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $5,148 $8,222 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $4,892 $8,041 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $4,765 $7,865 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $4,760 $7,753 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $4,399 $7,127 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $4,205 $6,951 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $3,565 - $22,857 -
1988 $3,182 - $21,417 -
1987 $2,819 - $20,039 -
1986 $2,591 - $19,071 -
1985 $2,202 - $18,237 -
1984 $1,979 - $17,121 -
1983 $1,576 - $15,544 -
1982 $1,489 - $14,434 -
1981 $1,605 - $13,976 -
1980 $1,428 - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

Saint Lucia's GDP per capita is $14,182, ranking 70/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Saint Lucia United States
Gross domestic product
$2.55B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
173/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.89%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$14,182
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
70/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,567
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
75/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$1.97B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
77.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,952
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
52/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,412
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2015
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2015
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.11%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.1%
2024
4.02%
2024
Population
180638
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Lucia United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.5% 77.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 25.6% 76.6% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 23% 74.4% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 27.4% 87% 43.2% 125%
2020 34.9% 100% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 25.1% 62.1% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 23.2% 60.5% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 23.3% 60.4% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 23% 61.3% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 23.7% 61.1% 35% 105.4%
2014 23.6% 62.4% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 25.4% 62.1% 35.8% 105%
2012 28% 60.8% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 27% 55.2% 38.8% 100%
2010 26% 53% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 24.5% 51% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 22.2% 46.7% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 22.6% 49.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 24.7% 48.6% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 26% 51.9% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 22.9% 49.6% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 22.9% 45.6% 34% 59%
2002 23.6% 48.8% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 22.1% 38.1% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 20.7% 32.5% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 20.9% 28.9% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 18.8% 29.4% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 19.5% 27.2% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 18.9% 24.1% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 19.2% 22.9% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 19.1% 23.8% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 21.8% 22.9% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 18.4% 22.2% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 18.4% 19.8% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 16.7% 17% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 19% 18.1% 33.7% 61.6%
1988 18.2% 18.6% 33.7% 61.3%
1987 19.9% 19.6% 34.3% 60.6%
1986 21.1% 17.2% 34.8% 58.9%
1985 20.4% 17.1% 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government spending was $625M, accounting for 24.5% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 77.2% in Saint Lucia and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 46/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Lucia

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Lucia United States
2024 -2.13% -8.03%
2023 -3.09% -7.8%
2022 -1.67% -3.72%
2021 -5.1% -11.4%
2020 -12% -14.1%
2019 -3.51% -5.81%
2018 -1.03% -5.33%
2017 -1.14% -4.79%
2016 -0.79% -4.36%
2015 -2.35% -3.53%
2014 -3.08% -4.03%
2013 -4.84% -4.56%
2012 -7.62% -8.11%
2011 -5.38% -9.72%
2010 -4.17% -11%
2009 -2.67% -13.2%
2008 -0.72% -6.61%
2007 -1.62% -2.91%
2006 -5.07% -2.04%
2005 -6.18% -3.07%
2004 -2.63% -4.24%
2003 -3.23% -4.77%
2002 -3.1% -3.82%
2001 -3.08% -0.54%
2000 -1.16% 3.62%
1999 1.62% 2.71%
1998 2.25% 2.18%
1997 -1.13% 0.88%
1996 -0.58% -0.46%
1995 -0.13% -1.7%
1994 -0.02% -2.05%
1993 -0.26% -3.35%
1992 -0.66% -3.98%
1991 -0.43% -2.72%
1990 0.29% -1.64%
1989 0.89% -0.8%
1988 2.02% -1.06%
1987 0.56% -1.53%
1986 -1.61% -2.81%
1985 -1.5% -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $54.2M, equivalent to 2.13% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Saint Lucia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Saint Lucia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.07% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Lucia

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Lucia United States
2024 -0.11% 2.95%
2023 4.07% 4.12%
2022 6.38% 8%
2021 2.41% 4.7%
2020 -1.76% 1.23%
2019 0.54% 1.81%
2018 1.94% 2.44%
2017 0.1% 2.13%
2016 -3.08% 1.26%
2015 -0.98% 0.12%
2014 3.52% 1.62%
2013 1.47% 1.46%
2012 4.18% 2.07%
2011 2.77% 3.16%
2010 3.25% 1.64%
2009 -0.16% -0.36%
2008 5.55% 3.84%
2007 2.82% 2.85%
2006 2.4% 3.23%
2005 3.9% 3.39%
2004 1.46% 2.68%
2003 1.03% 2.27%
2002 -0.26% 1.59%
2001 5.31% 2.83%
2000 3.71% 3.38%
1999 3.5% 2.19%
1998 3.2% 1.55%
1997 -0.006% 2.34%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saint Lucia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.04%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was -0.11% in Saint Lucia and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $6.5M
Machinery & equipment $4.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.25M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.69M
Raw agricultural goods $1.52M
Chemicals & pharma $1.33M
Metals $524K
Miscellaneous $180K
Raw materials & minerals $141K
Wood & paper products $29K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $675M
Miscellaneous $132M
Machinery & equipment $106M
Animal & marine products $26.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.7M
Chemicals & pharma $22.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.6M
Wood & paper products $12.9M
Raw agricultural goods $11.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.53M

Balance of trade

Saint Lucia United States
Current account balance
-$64.1M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.52%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$848M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$137M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$598M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.46B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2025
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saint Lucia United States
Economic freedom 67.5 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 57/197 27/197
Property rights 64.3 91.6
Government integrity 59.7 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.3 76.4
Tax burden 77.7 75.3
Government spending 82.6 57.9
Fiscal health 80 18.5
Business freedom 71.9 88.6
Labor freedom 65.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 81 84.2
Trade freedom 60 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Lucia
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Lucia United States
2026 67.5 72.8
2025 67 70.2
2024 62.2 70.1
2023 60.7 70.6
2022 64.3 72.1
2021 67.5 74.8
2020 68.2 76.6
2019 68.7 76.8
2018 67.6 75.7
2017 65 75.1
2016 70 75.4
2015 70.2 76.2
2014 70.7 75.5
2013 70.4 76
2012 71.3 76.3
2011 70.8 77.8
2010 70.5 78
2009 68.8 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Lucia is 67.5, ranking 57/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saint Lucia United States
Services, % of GDP
75.9%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.75%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.13%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.27B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$406M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
162/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$187M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$187M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$350K
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
25%
2016
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.