Country explorer: Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has experienced an economic transformation characterized by fluctuating GDP per capita, significant poverty reduction across various thresholds, a roller coaster pattern in unemployment rates with a peak around 22% and subsequent decline, and relatively stable inflation rates with occasional spikes, mirroring trends observed in similar upper-middle-income countries while also showcasing its unique challenges and progresses within the Eastern Caribbean region.

Saint Lucia has experienced gradual demographic transformations, characterized by steady population growth, shifting net migration patterns from negative to positive balances, a declining fertility rate, and an overall improvement in life expectancy, mirroring trends common among upper-middle-income countries.

Saint Lucia has notably improved basic needs for its population, achieving nearly universal access to clean cooking fuels and electricity, showcasing an alignment with upper-middle-income country standards in enhancing living conditions.

Saint Lucia has evidenced gradual yet steady progress in human development as indicated by improvements in the Human Development Index, a significant reduction in child mortality rates, an increase in literacy rates, and advancements in the average learning-adjusted years of schooling, characteristics it shares with other upper-middle-income countries.

Saint Lucia has experienced a decline in per capita CO₂ emissions and renewable freshwater resources, alongside a slight decrease in forest area, reflecting general trends in environmental management and challenges similar to those faced by its regional peers.

Saint Lucia has experienced notable growth in technology and innovation, marked by a significant increase in internet usage and mobile phone subscriptions, aligning with trends observed in similar upper-middle-income countries despite limited data on research and development spending and scientific publications.

Saint Lucia has experienced a gradual decline in its age dependency ratio, indicative of a slowly aging population and potential shifts in economic and societal structures, aligning with common trends observed in upper-middle-income countries.

Saint Lucia has exhibited a relatively stable perception of corruption with minor fluctuations, indicating a governance environment that, in terms of transparency and corruption, roughly parallels that of its regional peers and aligns with the broader patterns observed in upper-middle-income countries.