4 GeoFroggy

Economy Overview

Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction work. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for about one-third of all tourist arrivals.

Agriculture Products

cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock

Industries

tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

6% (1997 est.)

Labor Force

30,000

Electricity production

100 million kWh (2000)

Electricity production by source

Fossil fuel: 100%

Hydro: 0%

Other: 0% (2000)

Nuclear: 0%

Electricity Consumption

93 million kWh (2000)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2000)

Currency

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Unemployment Rate

7% (2000 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

NA%

Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share

Lowest 10%: NA%

Highest 10%: NA%

Budget

Revenues: $123.7 million

Expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

Stock of Narrow Money

Stock of Broad Money

Stock of Domestic Credit

Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Debt External

$231 million (1999)

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

Exchange Rates

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Year

Fiscal Year

  • 1 April - 31 March

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

    Purchasing power parity - $674 million (2000 est.)

GDP Real Growth Rate

    3.5% (2000 est.)

GDP Per Capital

    Purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)

Gross National Saving

GDP Composition by end Use

GDP Composition by Sector of Origin

  • Agriculture
    4%
  • Industry
    19%
  • Services
    77% (2001 est.)

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

    0.4% (2000 est.)

Current Account Balance

Exports

    $40 million (2000 est.)

Exports Partners

  • OECS
    26%
  • Barbados
    15%
  • Guyana
    4%
  • Trinidad
    and
  • US
    0.3%

Exports Commodities

  • Petroleum products
    48%
  • Manufactures
    23%
  • Machinery and transport equipment
    17%
  • Food and live animals
    4%
  • Other
    8%

Imports

    $357 million (2000 est.)

Imports Partners

  • US
    27%
  • UK
    16%
  • Canada
    4%
  • OECS
    3%

Imports Commodities

    Food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil