US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to the United Arab Emirates due to the threat of missile or drone attacks. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 30 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: [971] (2) 414-2200; US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; abudhabiacs@state.gov;

https://ae.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 971
Local Emergency Phone: 998, 999
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Currency (Code): Emirati dirhams (AED)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
Major Religions: Muslim 76%, Christian 9%, other ( Hindu and Buddhist) 15%
Time Difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Dubai (includes Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building), Burj-al-Arab Hotel (world's tallest hotel), Dubai Creek Dhow Ride, Dubai Museum); Jebel Hafeet; Bastakia; Al-Bidyah Mosque; Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; Al Ain
Major Sports: Soccer, cricket, tennis, table tennis
Cultural Practices: The sole of the foot is considered the lowliest part of the body; it is therefore considered very rude to use the foot to point or to move around objects.
Tipping Guidelines: Even if there is a service charge, tip the waiter 10-15% of the total bill. Many Dubai residents choose to tip taxi and hail-riding services 5-10 dirhams or to round up the fare.
Souvenirs: Silk pashminas, leather goods, perfumes, gold and silver items
Traditional Cuisine: Kabsa (or Al Machboos) — chopped meat, fried onions, salt, other spices, and dried lemon served with rice cooked in the broth from the meat mixture Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022


This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. The net migration rate does not distinguish between economic migrants, refugees, and other types of migrants nor does it distinguish between lawful migrants and undocumented migrants.

Topic: Afghanistan-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Albania-3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Algeria-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: American Samoa-29.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Andorra0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Angola-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Anguilla10.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Argentina-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Armenia-5.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Aruba8.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Australia6.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Austria3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bahrain-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bangladesh-2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Barbados-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belarus0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belgium4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belize-0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Benin0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bermuda1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bhutan0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bolivia-0.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Botswana2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Brazil-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: British Virgin Islands13.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Brunei2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bulgaria-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burma-1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burundi7.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cambodia-2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cameroon-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Canada5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islands12.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Topic: Central African Republic-3.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Chad-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Chile0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: China-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Comoros-2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cook Islands-27.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Costa Rica0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Croatia-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cuba-2.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Curacao-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cyprus6.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Czechia2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Denmark2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Djibouti4.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Dominica-5.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic-2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ecuador0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Egypt-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: El Salvador-6.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea13.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Eritrea-10.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Estonia-2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Eswatini-6.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: European Union-2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe Islands0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Fiji-5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Finland2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: France1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: French Polynesia-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gabon3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gaza Strip-4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Georgia0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Germany1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ghana-0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gibraltar-3.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Greece1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Greenland-5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Grenada-2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guam-10.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guatemala-1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guernsey1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guinea0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau-3.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guyana-7.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Haiti-1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Honduras-1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Hong Kong1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Hungary1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iceland2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: India0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Indonesia-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iran-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iraq-0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ireland3.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Isle of Man4.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Israel2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Italy3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jamaica-7.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Japan0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jersey1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jordan-11.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstan0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kenya-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kiribati-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Korea, North-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Korea, South2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kosovo-1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kuwait-3.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan-4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Laos-1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Latvia-5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lebanon-0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lesotho-4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Liberia-2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Libya-1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Liechtenstein4.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lithuania-4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg12.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Macau3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Madagascar0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malawi0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malaysia1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Maldives-12.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mali-3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malta5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Marshall Islands-4.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mauritania-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mauritius0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mexico-0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of-20.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Moldova-8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Monaco10.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mongolia-0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Montenegro-4.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Montserrat0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Morocco-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Namibia0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nauru-10.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nepal-4.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Netherlands1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: New Caledonia3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia

Topic: New Zealand5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nicaragua-2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Niger-0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nigeria-0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: North Macedonia0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islands-13.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Norway3.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Oman-0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Pakistan-0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Palau0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Panama3.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinea0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Paracel Islands-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Topic: Paraguay-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Peru-0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Philippines0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Poland-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Portugal0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Puerto Rico-11.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Qatar2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Romania-4.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Russia1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Rwanda-3.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Barthelemy-1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia-1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Martin-6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon-7.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Samoa-7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: San Marino6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe-7.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabia5.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Senegal-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Serbia0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Seychelles0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Singapore4.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sint Maarten5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Slovakia0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Slovenia1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islands-1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Somalia-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: South Africa0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Topic: South Sudan20.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Spain4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sri Lanka-1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sudan-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Suriname2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Svalbard-5.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Topic: Sweden3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Switzerland4.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Syria40.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) NA

Topic: Taiwan0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tajikistan-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tanzania-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Thailand-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste-3.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Togo-1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tokelau-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Topic: Tonga-18.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tunisia-1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistan-1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tuvalu-6.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Uganda-3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ukraine-0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates-3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom3.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United States3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Uruguay-0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan-1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Vanuatu-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Venezuela13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Vietnam-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Virgin Islands-7.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Wallis and Futuna-3.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia

Topic: West Bank-4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Yemen-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Zambia0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwe-4.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)


Topic: Introduction
Background: Spain and France colonized and divided the island of Hispaniola.  The western third became Haiti.  The remainder became the Dominican Republic in 1844. Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.Spain and France colonized and divided the island of Hispaniola.  The western third became Haiti.  The remainder became the Dominican Republic in 1844. Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 48,670 sq km

land: 48,320 sq km

water: 350 sq km
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land

Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,694,700 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: mixed 70.4% (Mestizo/Indio 58%, Mulatto 12.4%), Black 15.8%, White 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official)
Religions: Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.91% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Santo Domingo
Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (32 seats; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 6 members indirectly elected based upon province-wide party plurality votes for its candidates to the Chamber of Deputies; all members serve 4-year terms; note - in 2019, the Central Election Commission changed the electoral system for seats in26 constituencies to direct simple majority but retained indirect election for the remaining 6 constituencies; previously all 32 members were indirectly elected; the change had been challenged by the ruling and opposition parties)

House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; 178 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method, 5 members in a nationwide constituency and 7 diaspora members directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: tourism, construction, mining, and telecommunications OECS economy; COVID-19 disrupted economic growth; major foreign direct investment and free-trade zones; developing local financial markets; improving debt management; declining povertytourism, construction, mining, and telecommunications OECS economy; COVID-19 disrupted economic growth; major foreign direct investment and free-trade zones; developing local financial markets; improving debt management; declining poverty
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $184.45 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $17,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices
Exports: $14.44 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 54%, Switzerland 8%, Canada 5%, India 5%, China 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, medical instruments, cigars, low-voltage protection equipment, bananas (2019)
Imports: $20.19 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 50%, China 13% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022


This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions.

Topic: Afghanistantotal: 34,903 km (2017)

paved: 17,903 km (2017)

unpaved: 17,000 km (2017)

Topic: Albaniatotal: 3,945 km (2018)

Topic: Algeriatotal: 104,000 km (2015)

paved: 71,656 km (2015)

unpaved: 32,344 km (2015)

Topic: American Samoatotal: 241 km (2016)

Topic: Andorratotal: 320 km (2019)

Topic: Angolatotal: 26,000 km (2018)

paved: 13,600 km (2018)

unpaved: 12,400 km (2018)

Topic: Anguillatotal: 175 km (2004)

paved: 82 km (2004)

unpaved: 93 km (2004)

Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 1,170 km (2011)

paved: 386 km (2011)

unpaved: 784 km (2011)

Topic: Argentinatotal: 281,290 km (2017)

paved: 117,616 km (2017)

unpaved: 163,674 km (2017)

Topic: Armeniatotal: 7,700 km (2019)

urban: 3,780 km

non-urban: 3,920 km

Topic: Arubatotal: 1,000 km (2010)

Topic: Australiatotal: 873,573 km (2015)

urban: 145,928 km (2015)

non-urban: 727,645 km (2015)

Topic: Austriatotal: 137,039 km (2018)

paved: 137,039 km (2018) (includes 2,232 km of expressways)

Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 24,981 km (2013)

note: total roadway length has increased significantly and continues to grow due to the recovery of Armenian-held territories and related reconstruction efforts, respectively; no updated figure is currently available

Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 2,700 km (2011)

paved: 1,620 km (2011)

unpaved: 1,080 km (2011)

Topic: Bahraintotal: 4,122 km (2010)

paved: 3,392 km (2010)

unpaved: 730 km (2010)

Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 369,105 km (2018)

paved: 110,311 km (2018)

unpaved: 258,794 km (2018)

Topic: Barbadostotal: 1,700 km (2015)

paved: 1,700 km (2015)

Topic: Belarustotal: 86,600 km (2017)

Topic: Belgiumtotal: 118,414 km (2015)

paved: 118,414 km (2015) (includes 1,747 km of expressways)

Topic: Belizetotal: 3,281 km (2017)

paved: 601 km (2017)

unpaved: 2,680 km (2017)

Topic: Benintotal: 16,000 km (2006)

paved: 1,400 km (2006)

unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)

Topic: Bermudatotal: 447 km (2010)

paved: 447 km (2010)

note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads

Topic: Bhutantotal: 12,205 km (2017)

urban: 437 km (2017)

Topic: Boliviatotal: 90,568 km (2017)

paved: 9,792 km (2017)

unpaved: 80,776 km (2017)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 22,926 km (2010)

paved: 19,426 km (2010) (4,652 km of interurban roads)

unpaved: 3,500 km (2010)

Topic: Botswanatotal: 31,747 km (2017)

paved: 9,810 km (2017)

unpaved: 21,937 km (2017)

Topic: Braziltotal: 2 million km (2018)

paved: 246,000 km (2018)

unpaved: 1.754 million km (2018)

Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorynote: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcianote: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia

Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 200 km (2007)

paved: 200 km (2007)

Topic: Bruneitotal: 2,976 km (2014)

paved: 2,559 km (2014)

unpaved: 417 km (2014)

Topic: Bulgariatotal: 19,512 km (2011)

paved: 19,235 km (2011) (includes 458 km of expressways)

unpaved: 277 km (2011)

note: does not include Category IV local roads

Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 15,304 km (2014)

paved: 3,642 km (2014)

unpaved: 11,662 km (2014)

Topic: Burmatotal: 157,000 km (2013)

paved: 34,700 km (2013)

unpaved: 122,300 km (2013)

Topic: Burunditotal: 12,322 km (2016)

paved: 1,500 km (2016)

unpaved: 10,822 km (2016)

Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 1,350 km (2013)

paved: 932 km (2013)

unpaved: 418 km (2013)

Topic: Cambodiatotal: 47,263 km (2013)

paved: 12,239 km (2013)

unpaved: 35,024 km (2013)

Topic: Cameroontotal: 77,589 km (2016)

paved: 5,133 km (2016)

unpaved: 72,456 km (2016)

Topic: Canadatotal: 1,042,300 km (2011)

paved: 415,600 km (2011) (includes 17,000 km of expressways)

unpaved: 626,700 km (2011)

Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 785 km (2007)

paved: 785 km (2007)

Topic: Central African Republictotal: 24,000 km (2018)

paved: 700 km (2018)

unpaved: 23,300 km (2018)

Topic: Chadtotal: 40,000 km (2018)

note: consists of 25,000 km of national and regional roads and 15,000 km of local roads; 206 km of urban roads are paved

Topic: Chiletotal: 77,801 km (2016)

Topic: Chinatotal: 45.2 million km (2020)

paved: 4.578 million km (2020) (includes 168000 km of expressways)

unpaved: 622,000 km (2017)

Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: 142 km (2011)

paved: 32 km (2011)

unpaved: 110 km (2011)

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal: 22 km (2007)

paved: 10 km (2007)

unpaved: 12 km (2007)

Topic: Colombiatotal: 205,379 km (2019)

Topic: Comorostotal: 880 km (2002)

paved: 673 km (2002)

unpaved: 207 km (2002)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 152,373 km (2015)

paved: 3,047 km (2015)

unpaved: 149,326 km (2015)

urban: 7,400 km (2015)

non-urban: 144,973 km

Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 23,324 km (2017)

paved: 3,111 km (2017)

unpaved: 20,213 km (2017)

note: road network in Congo is composed of 23,324 km of which 17,000 km are classified as national, departmental, and routes of local interest: 6,324 km are non-classified routes

Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 295 km (2018)

paved: 207 km (2018)

unpaved: 88 km (2018)

Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 5,035 km (2017)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 81,996 km (2007)

paved: 6,502 km (2007)

unpaved: 75,494 km (2007)

note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable

Topic: Croatiatotal: 26,958 km (2015) (includes 1,416 km of expressways)

Topic: Cubatotal: 71,140 km (2015)

paved: 20,000 km (2001)

unpaved: 40,000 km (2001)

Topic: Curacaototal: 550 km

Topic: Cyprustotal: 19,901 km (2016)

government control: 12,901 km (2016) (includes 272 km of expressways)

paved: 8,631 km (2016)

unpaved: 4,270 km (2016)

Turkish Cypriot control: 7,000 km (2011)

Topic: Czechiatotal: 55,744 km (2019) (includes urban and category I, II, III roads)

paved: 55,744 km (2019) (includes 1,252 km of expressways)

Topic: Denmarktotal: 74,558 km (2017)

paved: 74,558 km (2017) (includes 1,205 km of expressways)

Topic: Djiboutitotal: 2,893 km (2013)

Topic: Dominicatotal: 1,512 km (2018)

paved: 762 km (2018)

unpaved: 750 km (2018)

Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 19,705 km (2002)

paved: 9,872 km (2002)

unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)

Topic: Ecuadortotal: 43,950 km (2022)

paved: 8,895 km (2022)

unpaved: 35,055 km (2022)

Topic: Egypttotal: 65,050 km (2018)

paved: 48,000 km (2018)

unpaved: 17,050 km (2018)

Topic: El Salvadortotal: 9,012 km (2017)

paved: 5,341 km (2017)

unpaved: 3,671 km (2017)

Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 2,880 km (2017)

Topic: Eritreatotal: 16,000 km (2018)

paved: 1,600 km (2000)

unpaved: 14,400 km (2000)

Topic: Estoniatotal: 58,412 km (2011) (includes urban roads)

paved: 10,427 km (2011) (includes 115 km of expressways)

unpaved: 47,985 km (2011)

Topic: Eswatinitotal: 3,769 km (2019)

Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 120,171 km (2018)

Topic: European Uniontotal: (2013) 10,582,653 km

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 440 km (2008)

paved: 50 km (2008)

unpaved: 390 km (2008)

Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 960 km (2017)

paved: 500 km (2017)

unpaved: 460 km (2017)

note: those islands not connected by roads (bridges or tunnels) are connected by seven different ferry links operated by the nationally owned company SSL; 28 km of tunnels

Topic: Fijitotal: 3,440 km (2011)

paved: 1,686 km (2011)

unpaved: 1,754 km (2011)

Topic: Finlandtotal: 454,000 km (2012)

highways: 78,000 km (2012) (50,000 paved, including 700 km of expressways; 28,000 unpaved)

private and forest roads: 350,000 km (2012)

urban: 26,000 km (2012)

Topic: Francetotal: 1,053,215 km (2011)

urban: 654,201 km (2011)

non-urban: 399,014 km (2011)

Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 2,590 km (1999)

paved: 1,735 km (1999)

unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Topic: Gabontotal: 14,300 km (2001)

paved: 900 km (2001)

unpaved: 13,400 km (2001)

Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 2,977 km (2011)

paved: 518 km (2011)

unpaved: 2,459 km (2011)

Topic: Gaza Stripnote: see entry for the West Banknote: see entry for the West Bank

Topic: Georgiatotal: 20,295 km (2018)

Topic: Germanytotal: 625,000 km (2017)

paved: 625,000 km (2017) (includes 12,996 km of expressways)

note: includes local roads

Topic: Ghanatotal: 94,203 km (2021)

paved: 14,948 km (2021)

unpaved: 50,777 km (2021)

urban: 28,480 km 27% total paved 73% total unpaved

Topic: Gibraltartotal: 29 km (2007)

paved: 29 km (2007)

Topic: Greecetotal: 117,000 km (2018)

Topic: Greenlandnote: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by airnote: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air

Topic: Grenadatotal: 1,127 km (2017)

paved: 902 km (2017)

unpaved: 225 km (2017)

Topic: Guamtotal: 1,045 km (2008)

Topic: Guatemalatotal: 17,440 km (2020)

paved: 7,458 km (2020)

unpaved: 9,982 km (2020) (includes 4,548 km of rural roads)

Topic: Guernseytotal: 260 km (2017)

Topic: Guineatotal: 44,301 km (2018)

paved: 3,346 km (2018)

unpaved: 40,955 km (2018)

Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 4,400 km (2018)

paved: 453 km (2018)

unpaved: 3,947 km (2018)

Topic: Guyanatotal: 3,995 km (2019)

paved: 799 km (2019)

unpaved: 3,196 km (2019)

Topic: Haititotal: 4,102 km (2011)

paved: 600 km (2011)

unpaved: 3,502 km (2011)

Topic: Hondurastotal: 14,742 km (2012)

paved: 3,367 km (2012)

unpaved: 11,375 km (2012) (1,543 km summer only)

note: an additional 8,951 km of non-official roads used by the coffee industry

Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 2,193 km (2021)

paved: 2,193 km (2021)

Topic: Hungarytotal: 203,601 km (2014)

paved: 77,087 km (2014) (includes 1,582 km of expressways)

unpaved: 126,514 km (2014)

Topic: Icelandtotal: 12,898 km (2012)

paved/oiled gravel: 5,647 km (2012) (excludes urban roads)

unpaved: 7,251 km (2012)

Topic: Indiatotal: 6,386,297 km (2015) note: includes 132,500 km of national highways and expressways, 186,528 km of state highways , and 6,067,269 km of other roads

note: includes 96,214 km of national highways and expressways, 147,800 km of state highways, and 4,455,010 km of other roads

Topic: Indonesiatotal: 496,607 km (2011)

paved: 283,102 km (2011)

unpaved: 213,505 km (2011)

Topic: Irantotal: 223,485 km (2018)

paved: 195,485 km (2018)

unpaved: 28,000 km (2018)

Topic: Iraqtotal: 59,623 km (2012)

paved: 59,623 km (2012) (includes Kurdistan region)

Topic: Irelandtotal: 99,830 km (2018)

paved: 99,830 km (2018) (includes 2,717 km of expressways)

Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 500 km (2008)

Topic: Israeltotal: 19,555 km (2017)

paved: 19,555 km (2017) (includes 449 km of expressways)

Topic: Italytotal: 487,700 km (2007)

paved: 487,700 km (2007) (includes 6,700 km of expressways)

Topic: Jamaicatotal: 22,121 km (2011) (includes 44 km of expressways)

paved: 16,148 km (2011)

unpaved: 5,973 km (2011)

Topic: Japantotal: 1,218,772 km (2015)

paved: 992,835 km (2015) (includes 8,428 km of expressways)

unpaved: 225,937 km (2015)

Topic: Jerseytotal: 576 km (2010)

Topic: Jordantotal: 7,203 km (2011)

paved: 7,203 km (2011)

Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 95,767 km (2021)

paved: 83,813 km (2021)

unpaved: 12,354 km (2021)

Topic: Kenyatotal: 177,800 km (2018)

paved: 14,420 km (2017) (8,500 km highways, 1,872 urban roads, and 4,048 rural roads)

unpaved: 147,032 km (2017)

Topic: Kiribatitotal: 670 km (2017)

Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 25,554 km (2006)

paved: 724 km (2006)

unpaved: 24,830 km (2006)

Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 100,428 km (2016)

paved: 92,795 km (2016) (includes 4,193 km of expressways)

unpaved: 7,633 km (2016)

Topic: Kosovototal: 2,012 km (2015)

paved: 1,921 km (2015) (includes 78 km of expressways)

unpaved: 91 km (2015)

Topic: Kuwaittotal: 5,749 km (2018)

paved: 4,887 km (2018)

unpaved: 862 km (2018)

Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 34,000 km (2022)

Topic: Laostotal: 39,586 km (2009)

paved: 5,415 km (2009)

unpaved: 34,171 km (2009)

Topic: Latviatotal: 70,244 km (2018)

paved: 15,158 km (2018)

unpaved: 55,086 km (2018)

Topic: Lebanontotal: 21,705 km (2017)

Topic: Lesothototal: 5,940 km (2011)

paved: 1,069 km (2011)

unpaved: 4,871 km (2011)

Topic: Liberiatotal: 10,600 km (2018)

paved: 657 km (2018)

unpaved: 9,943 km (2018)

Topic: Libyatotal: 37,000 km (2010)

paved: 34,000 km (2010)

unpaved: 3,000 km (2010)

Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 630 km (2019)

Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 84,166 km (2012)

paved: 72,297 km (2012) (includes 312 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,869 km (2012)

Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 2,875 km (2019)

Topic: Macautotal: 428 km (2017)

paved: 428 km (2017)

Topic: Madagascartotal: 31,640 km (2018)

Topic: Malawitotal: 15,452 km (2015)

paved: 4,074 km (2015)

unpaved: 11,378 km (2015)

Topic: Malaysiatotal: 144,403 km (2010) (excludes local roads)

paved: 116,169 km (2010) (includes 1,821 km of expressways)

unpaved: 28,234 km (2010)

Topic: Maldivestotal: 93 km (2018)

paved: 93 km (2018) - 60 km in Malée; 16 km on Addu Atolis; 17 km on Laamu

note: island roads are mainly compacted coral

Topic: Malitotal: 139,107 km (2018)

Topic: Maltatotal: 2,254 km (2001)

paved: 1,973 km (2001)

unpaved: 281 km (2001)

urban: 1,422 km (2001)

non-urban: 832 km (2001)

Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 2,028 km (2007)

paved: 75 km (2007)

unpaved: 1,953 km

Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 12,253 km (2018)

paved: 3,988 km (2018)

unpaved: 8,265 km (2018)

Topic: Mauritiustotal: 2,428 km (2015)

paved: 2,379 km (2015) (includes 99 km of expressways)

unpaved: 49 km (2015)

Topic: Mexicototal: 817,966 km (2017)

paved: 175,526 km (2017) (includes 10,845 km of expressways)

unpaved: 529,358 km (2017)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofnote - paved and unpaved circumferential roads, most interior roads are unpaved

Topic: Moldovatotal: 9,352 km (2012)

paved: 8,835 km (2012)

unpaved: 517 km (2012)

Topic: Mongoliatotal: 113,200 km (2017)

paved: 10,600 km (2017)

unpaved: 102,600 km (2017)

Topic: Montenegrototal: 7,762 km (2010)

paved: 7,141 km (2010)

unpaved: 621 km (2010)

Topic: Montserratnote: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the islandnote: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island

Topic: Moroccototal: 57,300 km (2018)

Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 31,083 km (2015)

paved: 7,365 km (2015)

unpaved: 23,718 km (2015)

Topic: Namibiatotal: 48,875 km (2018)

paved: 7,893 km (2018)

unpaved: 40,982 km (2018)

Topic: Naurutotal: 30 km (2002)

paved: 24 km (2002)

unpaved: 6 km (2002)

Topic: Nepaltotal: 27,990 km (2016)

paved: 11,890 km (2016)

unpaved: 16,100 km (2016)

Topic: Netherlandstotal: 139,124 km (2016) (includes 3,654 km of expressways)

Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 5,622 km (2006)

Topic: New Zealandtotal: 94,000 km (2017)

paved: 61,600 km (2017) (includes 199 km of expressways)

unpaved: 32,400 km (2017)

Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 23,897 km (2014)

paved: 3,346 km (2014)

unpaved: 20,551 km (2014)

Topic: Nigertotal: 18,949 km (2010)

paved: 3,912 km (2010)

unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)

Topic: Nigeriatotal: 195,000 km (2017)

paved: 60,000 km (2017)

unpaved: 135,000 km (2017)

Topic: Niuetotal: 234 km (2017)

paved: 210 km (2017)

unpaved: 24 km

Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal: 80 km (2008)

paved: 53 km (2008)

unpaved: 27 km (2008)

Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 14,182 km (2017) (includes 290 km of expressways)

paved: 9,633 km (2017)

unpaved: 4,549 km (2017)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 536 km (2008)

Topic: Norwaytotal: 94,902 km (2018) (includes 455 km of expressways)

Topic: Omantotal: 60,230 km (2012)

paved: 29,685 km (2012) (includes 1,943 km of expressways)

unpaved: 30,545 km (2012)

Topic: Pakistantotal: 264,175 km (2021)

paved: 185,463 km (2021) (includes 708 km of expressways)

unpaved: 78,712 km (2021)

Topic: Palautotal: 125 km (2018)

paved: 89 km (2018)

unpaved: 36 km (2018)

Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 9,349 km (2011)

paved: 3,000 km (2011)

unpaved: 6,349 km (2011)

Topic: Paraguaytotal: 78,811 km (2020)

paved: 8,573 km (2020)

unpaved: 70,238 km (2020)

Topic: Perutotal: 168,473 km (2018) (18,699 km paved)

paved: 26,916 km

note: includes 27,109 km of national roads (21,434 km paved), 247,505 km of departmental roads (3,623 km paved), and 113,857 km of local roads (1,858 km paved)

Topic: Philippinestotal: 216,387 km (2014)

paved: 61,093 km (2014)

unpaved: 155,294 km (2014)

Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal: 0 km

Topic: Polandtotal: 420,000 km (2016)

paved: 291,000 km (2016) (includes 1,492 km of expressways, 1,559 of motorways)

unpaved: 129,000 km (2016)

Topic: Portugaltotal: 82,900 km (2008)

paved: 71,294 km (2008) (includes 2,613 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,606 km (2008)

Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 26,862 km (2012) (includes 454 km of expressways)

Topic: Qatartotal: 7,039 km (2016)

Topic: Romaniatotal: 84,185 km (2012)

paved: 49,873 km (2012) (includes 337 km of expressways)

unpaved: 34,312 km (2012)

Topic: Russiatotal: 1,283,387 km (2012)

paved: 927,721 km (2012) (includes 39,143 km of expressways)

unpaved: 355,666 km (2012)

Topic: Rwandatotal: 4,700 km (2012)

paved: 1,207 km (2012)

unpaved: 3,493 km (2012)

Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal: 40 km

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 198 km (2002) (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km)

paved: 168 km (2002) (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km)

unpaved: 30 km (2002) (Saint Helena 20 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 383 km (2002)

paved: 163 km (2002)

unpaved: 220 km (2002)

Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 1,210 km (2011)

paved: 847 km (2011)

unpaved: 363 km (2011)

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal: 117 km (2009)

paved: 80 km (2009)

unpaved: 37 km (2009)

Topic: Samoatotal: 1,150 km (2018)

Topic: San Marinototal: 292 km (2006)

paved: 292 km (2006)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 1,300 km (2018)

paved: 230 km (2018)

unpaved: 1,070 km (2018)

Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 221,372 km (2006)

paved: 47,529 km (2006) (includes 3,891 km of expressways)

unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)

Topic: Senegaltotal: 16,665 km (2017)

paved: 6,126 km (2017) (includes 241 km of expressways)

unpaved: 10,539 km (2017)

Topic: Serbiatotal: 44,248 km (2016)

paved: 28,000 km (2016) (16,162 km state roads, out of which 741 km highways)

unpaved: 16,248 km (2016)

Topic: Seychellestotal: 526 km (2015)

paved: 514 km (2015)

unpaved: 12 km (2015)

Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 11,700 km (2015)

paved: 1,051 km (2015)

unpaved: 10,650 km (2015)

urban: 3,000 km (2015)

non-urban: 8,700 km (2015)

Topic: Singaporetotal: 3,500 km (2017)

paved: 3,500 km (2017) (includes 164 km of expressways)

Topic: Sint Maartentotal: 53 km

Topic: Slovakiatotal: 56,926 km (2016) (includes local roads, national roads, and 464 km of highways)

Topic: Sloveniatotal: 38,985 km (2012)

paved: 38,985 km (2012) (includes 769 km of expressways)

Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 1,390 km (2011)

paved: 34 km (2011)

unpaved: 1,356 km (2011)

note: includes 920 km of private plantation roads

Topic: Somaliatotal: 15,000 km (2018)

Topic: South Africatotal: 750,000 km (2016)

paved: 158,124 km (2016)

unpaved: 591,876 km (2016)

Topic: South Sudantotal: 90,200 km (2019)

paved: 300 km (2019)

unpaved: 89,900 km (2019)

note: most of the road network is unpaved and much of it is in disrepair; the Juba-Nimule highway connecting Juba to the border with Uganda is the main paved road in South Sudan

Topic: Spaintotal: 683,175 km (2011)

paved: 683,175 km (2011) (includes 16,205 km of expressways)

Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 114,093 km (2010)

paved: 16,977 km (2010)

unpaved: 97,116 km (2010)

Topic: Sudantotal: 31,000 km (2019)

paved: 8,000 km (2019)

unpaved: 23,000 km (2019)

urban: 1,000 km (2019)

Topic: Surinametotal: 4,304 km (2003)

paved: 1,119 km (2003)

unpaved: 3,185 km (2003)

Topic: Svalbardtotal: 40 km (2020)

Topic: Swedentotal: 573,134 km (2016) (includes 2,050 km of expressways)

paved: 140,100 km (2016)

unpaved: 433,034 km (2016)

note: includes 98,500 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,600 km of municipal roads

Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 71,557 km (2017)

paved: 71,557 km (2017) (includes 1,458 of expressways)

Topic: Syriatotal: 69,873 km (2010)

paved: 63,060 km (2010)

unpaved: 6,813 km (2010)

Topic: Taiwantotal: 43,206 km (2017)

paved: 42,793 km (2017) (includes 1,348 km of highways and 737 km of expressways)

unpaved: 413 km (2017)

Topic: Tajikistantotal: 30,000 km (2018)

Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 145,203 km (2022)

paved: 11,201 km (2022)

unpaved: 134,002 km (2022)

Topic: Thailandtotal: 180,053 km (2006) (includes 450 km of expressways)

Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 6,040 km (2008)

paved: 2,600 km (2008)

unpaved: 3,440 km (2008)

Topic: Togototal: 11,734 km (2018)

paved: 1,794 km (2018)

unpaved: 8,157 km (2018)

urban: 1,783 km (2018)

Topic: Tokelautotal: 10 km (2019)

Topic: Tongatotal: 680 km (2011)

paved: 184 km (2011)

unpaved: 496 km (2011)

Topic: Tunisiapaved: 20,000 km (2015)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total: 67,333 km (2018)

paved: 24,082 km (2018) (includes 2,159 km of expressways)

unpaved: 43,251 km (2018)

Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 58,592 km (2002)

paved: 47,577 km (2002)

unpaved: 11,015 km (2002)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 121 km (2003)

paved: 24 km (2003)

unpaved: 97 km (2003)

Topic: Tuvalutotal: 8 km (2011)

paved: 8 km (2011)

Topic: Ugandatotal: 20,544 km (2017) (excludes local roads)

paved: 4,257 km (2017)

unpaved: 16,287 km (2017)

Topic: Ukrainetotal: 169,694 km (2012)

paved: 166,095 km (2012) (includes 17 km of expressways)

unpaved: 3,599 km (2012)

Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 4,080 km (2008)

paved: 4,080 km (2008) (includes 253 km of expressways)

Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 394,428 km (2009)

paved: 394,428 km (2009) (includes 3,519 km of expressways)

Topic: United Statestotal: 6,586,610 km (2012)

paved: 4,304,715 km (2012) (includes 76,334 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,281,895 km (2012)

Topic: Uruguaytotal: 77,732 km (2010)

paved: 7,743 km (2010)

unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)

Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 86,496 km (2000)

paved: 75,511 km (2000)

unpaved: 10,985 km (2000)

Topic: Vanuatutotal: 1,070 km (2000)

paved: 256 km (2000)

unpaved: 814 km (2000)

Topic: Venezuelatotal: 96,189 km (2014)

Topic: Vietnamtotal: 195,468 km (2013)

paved: 148,338 km (2013)

unpaved: 47,130 km (2013)

Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 1,260 km (2008)

Topic: West Banktotal: 4,686 km (2010)

paved: 4,686 km (2010)

note: includes Gaza Strip

Topic: Yementotal: 71,300 km (2005)

paved: 6,200 km (2005)

unpaved: 65,100 km (2005)

Topic: Zambiatotal: 67,671 km (2018)

paved: 14,888 km (2018)

unpaved: 52,783 km (2018)

Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 97,267 km (2019)

paved: 18,481 km (2019)

unpaved: 78,786 km (2019)


Topic: Photos of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Topic: Introduction
Background: Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on Saint Vincent until 1719. Disputed by France and the UK for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. The British prized Saint Vincent due to its fertile soil, which allowed for thriving slave-run plantations of sugar, coffee, indigo, tobacco, cotton, and cocoa. In 1834, the British abolished slavery. Immigration of indentured servants eased the ensuing labor shortage, as did subsequent Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and East Indian laborers. Conditions remained harsh for both former slaves and immigrant agricultural workers, however, as depressed world sugar prices kept the economy stagnant until the early 1900s. The economy then went into a period of decline with many landowners abandoning their estates and leaving the land to be cultivated by liberated slaves. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. In April 2021, the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in the north of Saint Vincent destroyed much of Saint Vincent’s most productive agricultural lands. Unlike most of its tourism-dependent neighbors, the Vincentian economy is primarily agricultural. The US provided $4.7 million in humanitarian support after the eruption.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)

land: 389 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation: highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 25.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 12.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 68.7% (2018 est.)

other: 5.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown
Natural hazards: hurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threatvolcanism: La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southhurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threatvolcanism: La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays
Map description: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Vincent and the Grenadines map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the Caribbean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 100,969 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)

adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups: African descent 71.2%, mixed 23%, Indigenous 3%, East Indian/Indian 1.1%, European 1.5%, other 0.2% (2012 est.)
Languages: English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois
Religions: Protestant 75% (Pentecostal 27.6%, Anglican 13.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.6%,  Baptist 8.9%, Methodist 8.7%, Evangelical 3.8%, Salvation Army 0.3%, Presbyterian/Congregational 0.3%), Roman Catholic 6.3%,  Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, other 4.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 4.7% (2012 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.15% (male 10,309/female 10,121)

15-24 years: 14.83% (male 7,582/female 7,451)

25-54 years: 42.63% (male 22,395/female 20,824)

55-64 years: 11.68% (male 6,136/female 5,703)

65 years and over: 10.72% (2020 est.) (male 5,167/female 5,702)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.7

youth dependency ratio: 32.1

elderly dependency ratio: 14.5

potential support ratio: 6.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 35.3 years

male: 35.4 years

female: 35.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.17% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 27,000 KINGSTOWN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 98 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 12.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.56 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.68 years

male: 74.63 years

female: 78.79 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: total: 95.1% of population

unimproved: total: 4.9% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.66 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density: 4.3 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 90.2% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 9.8% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,200 (2018)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 23.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2015)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive; poor land use planning; deforestation; watershed management and squatter settlement control
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.09 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Land use: agricultural land: 25.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 12.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 68.7% (2018 est.)

other: 5.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 31,561 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 8.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 2,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 100 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

etymology: Saint Vincent was named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS after Saint VINCENT of Saragossa because the 22 January 1498 day of discovery was the saint's feast day
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Kingstown

geographic coordinates: 13 08 N, 61 13 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: an earlier French settlement was renamed Kingstown by the British in 1763 when they assumed control of the island; the king referred to in the name is George III (r. 1760-1820)
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: history: previous 1969, 1975; latest drafted 26 July 1979, effective 27 October 1979 (The Saint Vincent Constitution Order 1979)

amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections on fundamental rights and freedoms, citizen protections, various government functions and authorities, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum of at least two thirds of the votes cast, and assent of the governor general
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Susan DOUGAN (since 1 August 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly (23 seats; 15 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 6 senators appointed by the governor general, and 2 ex officio members - the speaker of the house and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 5 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 49.58%, NDP 50.34%, other 0.8%; seats by party - ULP 9, NDP 6
Judicial branch: highest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 assigned to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; note - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party or NDP [Dr. Godwin L. FRIDAY]
Unity Labor Party or ULP [Dr. Ralph GONSALVES] (formed in 1994 by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
SVG Green Party or SVGP [Ivan O'NEAL]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lou-Anne Gaylene GILCHRIST (since 18 January 2017)

chancery: 1627 K Street, NW, Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730

FAX: [1] (202) 364-6730

email address and website:
mail@embsvg.com

http://wa.embassy.gov.vc/washington/

consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern, which stands for Vincent; the diamonds recall the islands as "the Gems of the Antilles" and are set slightly lowered in the gold band to reflect the nation's position in the Antilles; blue conveys the colors of a tropical sky and crystal waters, yellow signifies the golden Grenadine sands, and green represents lush vegetation
National symbol(s): Saint Vincent parrot; national colors: blue, gold, green
National anthem: name: "St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!"

lyrics/music: Phyllis Joyce MCCLEAN PUNNETT/Joel Bertram MIGUEL

note: adopted 1967

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity, as well as remittances. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to a small offshore banking sector and continues to fully adopt international regulatory standards.   This lower-middle-income country remains vulnerable to natural and external shocks. The economy has shown some signs of recovery due to increased tourist arrivals, falling oil prices and renewed growth in the construction sector. The much anticipated international airport opened in early 2017 with hopes for increased airlift and tourism activity. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high public debt burden, which was 67% of GDP at the end of 2013.Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity, as well as remittances. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to a small offshore banking sector and continues to fully adopt international regulatory standards. This lower-middle-income country remains vulnerable to natural and external shocks. The economy has shown some signs of recovery due to increased tourist arrivals, falling oil prices and renewed growth in the construction sector. The much anticipated international airport opened in early 2017 with hopes for increased airlift and tourism activity. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high public debt burden, which was 67% of GDP at the end of 2013.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.34 billion (2020 est.)

$1.38 billion (2019 est.)

$1.37 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.7% (2017 est.)

0.8% (2016 est.)

0.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,100 (2020 est.)

$12,500 (2019 est.)

$12,500 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $785 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2017 est.)

-0.2% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2014)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 17.4% (2017 est.)

services: 75.5% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 87.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 10.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 37.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -51.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, sugar cane, roots/tubers, plantains, vegetables, fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes/guavas
Industries: tourism; food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 57,520 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26%

industry: 17%

services: 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 18.8% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 225.2 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 230 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 73.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

82.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$116 million (2017 est.)

-$122 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $320 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$47.3 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: Jordan 39%, Singapore 14% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, drilling platforms and ships, recreational boats, collector's items, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch (2019)
Imports: $450 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$294.6 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, poultry meats, tug boats, recreational boats (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $182.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$192.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $362.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$330.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

2.7 (2017 est.)

2.7 (2016 est.)

2.7 (2015 est.)

2.7 (2014 est.)

2.7 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 49,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 133.917 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 11.083 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 73.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 25.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 1,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,621 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 27.821 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,483 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 97,059 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate island-wide, fully automatic telephone system; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity exceeds 11 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 87 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 1-784; landing points for the ECFS, CARCIP and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to US and Caribbean Islands; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Broadcasting Corporation operates 1 TV station and 5 repeater stations that provide near total coverage to the multi-island state; multi-channel cable TV service available; a partially government-funded national radio service broadcasts on 1 station and has 2 repeater stations; about a dozen privately owned radio stations and repeater stations
Internet country code: .vc
Internet users: total: 24,408 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 22% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 24,733 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J8
Airports: total: 6 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Merchant marine: total: 792

by type: bulk carrier 27, container ship 17, general cargo 155, oil tanker 16, other 577 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kingstown

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF; includes the Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022)
Military - note: the country has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean SeaSaint Vincent and the Grenadines-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbeana transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean