CapitalSaint George's
Population114,621
Area344 km²
GDP per capita$17,700
LanguagesEnglish , French patois
CurrencyEast Caribbean dollars
Life Expectancy76.3 yr
Governmenta parliamentary democracy functioning under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm.
Introduction
Background
The indigenous Carib people inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP, ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later, US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations intervened, quickly capturing the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Rule of law was restored, and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since.
Geography
Area
land
344 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
344 sq km
Climate
tropical; influenced by northeast trade winds
Terrain
originating from volcanic activity with central mountain ranges
Land use
other
24.4% (2023 est.)
forest
52.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
23.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 8.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in the Caribbean, this island is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, to the north of Trinidad and Tobago
Coastline
121 km
Elevation
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
Irrigated land
20 sq km (2012)
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
situated on the periphery of the hurricane belt; the hurricane season runs from June through November
volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) is located on Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) found on the seabed of the Caribbean Sea, is approximately 8 km (5 mi) north of Grenada; these two volcanoes are positioned at the southern terminus of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends northward to the Dutch dependency of Saba
Natural resources
wood, tropical fruits
Area - comparative
twice the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
12 07 N, 61 40 W
Population distribution
around one-third of the population resides in the capital, St. George's; the population of the island is primarily concentrated along the coastline
People & Society
Languages
English (official), French patois
Religions
Protestant 49.2% (includes Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 13.2%, Anglican 8.5%, Baptist 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Evangelical 1.9%, Methodist 1.6%, other 1.2%), Roman Catholic 36%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Rastafarian 1.2%, other 5.5%, none 5.7%, unspecified 1.3% (2011 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.1 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.04 male(s)/female
total population
1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.9 male(s)/female
Birth rate
13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
35.2 years
total
35.9 years (2025 est.)
female
35.7 years
Population
male
58,168
total
114,621 (2024 est.)
female
56,453
Nationality
noun
Grenadian(s)
adjective
Grenadian
Urbanization
urban population
37.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
21.9% (male 13,095/female 12,003)
15-64 years
65.3% (male 38,129/female 36,726)
65 years and over
12.8% (2024 est.) (male 6,944/female 7,724)
Ethnic groups
Of African heritage 82.4%, mixed ancestry 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, and unspecified 0.9% (2011 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
53.1 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
33.5 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
19.6 (2024 est.)
Physician density
1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.7% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.89 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
5.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
11.4% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
8.6 deaths/1,000 live births
total
8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
9.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.24% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.9 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
about one third of the inhabitants reside in the capital, St. George's; the population of the island is primarily located along the coastline
Life expectancy at birth
male
73.7 years
female
79.1 years
total population
76.3 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
48 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
8.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
4.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
21.3% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
17 years (2018 est.)
total
18 years (2018 est.)
female
18 years (2018 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Land use
other
24.4% (2023 est.)
forest
52.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
23.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 8.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
37.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
29,500 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.1% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation leading to habitat and species decline; coastal erosion and pollution; contamination and sedimentation; insufficient solid waste disposal management
Total water withdrawal
municipal
12 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
0 cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
2.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
10.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
200 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: a rectangle split diagonally with yellow triangles at the top and bottom and green triangles on the left and right, encased in a broad red border; three five-pointed yellow stars are positioned centrally on the top and bottom of the red border, accompanied by a larger yellow star situated on a red disk at the flag's center; a small yellow-and-red nutmeg pod is depicted on the left triangle
meaning: the seven stars represent the nation's administrative regions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George's; yellow symbolizes the sun and the warmth of the populace, green signifies vegetation and agriculture, while red represents harmony, unity, and bravery.
Capital
name
Saint George's
etymology
initially referred to as Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town), the name was changed to Saint George's Town in 1764 to honor England's patron saint when the English seized Grenada from the French; it was later abbreviated to Saint George's.
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time).
geographic coordinates
12 03 N, 61 45 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
Constitution
history
previously established in 1967; the latest was presented on 19 December 1973, taking effect on 7 February 1974, suspended in 1979 after a revolution but reinstated in 1983.
amendment process
proposed by either chamber of Parliament; for passage, a two-thirds majority vote is required from both houses, along with the governor general's assent; amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, government structure, authority, and procedures, the delimitation of electoral districts, or the process for amending the constitution, also necessitate two-thirds majority approval in a referendum.
Country name
etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; some references suggest it may derive from Spanish influence (likely named after the Spanish city of Granada); in Spanish, granada translates to "pomegranate."
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Grenada
Independence
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law system based on the English model.
Government type
a parliamentary democracy functioning under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
regionally, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) serves as the superior court for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; headquartered in St. Lucia, the ECSC comprises the Court of Appeal -- led by the chief justice and four judges -- and the High Court featuring 18 judges; the Court of Appeal visits member states periodically to hear appeals from the High Court and lower courts
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals
judge selection and term of office
the chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges are selected by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent judicial body; justices of the Court of Appeal are appointed for life, with a mandatory retirement age of 65, while High Court judges serve for life with a mandatory retirement age of 62.
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013).
head of government
Prime Minister Dickon MITCHELL (since 24 June 2022)
election/appointment process
the monarchy follows a hereditary system; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; typically, after legislative elections, the governor general designates the leader of the majority party or coalition as the prime minister.
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
Political parties
National Democratic Congress or NDC
New National Party or NNP
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower
National coat of arms
Grenada’s coat of arms features Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake formed by the island's volcanic activity; at the center of the shield lies Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which arrived at the island in 1498; the gold cross that divides the shield, along with the two Madonna lilies and the national motto, underscores the significance of religion; two lions represent historical UK rule (1762-1974) and Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth nation; the corn stalk and banana plant symbolize agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove adjacent to the shield are indigenous to the island, while the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland signify Grenada’s seven communities.
Administrative divisions
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick.
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
5 years
number of seats
15 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
6/23/2022
expected date of next election
June 2027
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
parties elected and seats per party
National Democratic Congress (NDC) (9); New National Party (NNP) (6).
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
13 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/31/2022
expected date of next election
August 2027
percentage of women in chamber
30.8%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-2468
chancery
1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 265-2561
chief of mission
Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://grenadaembassyusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[1] (473) 444-4820
embassy
Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's
telephone
[1] (473) 444-1173
mailing address
3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
chief of mission
the United States does not maintain an official embassy in Grenada; the Chargé d’Affaires to Barbados, Karin B. SULLIVAN, is accredited to Grenada.
email address and website
[email protected]
https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not filed an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$288.404 million (2017 est.)
expenditures
$222.475 million (2017 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$706.195 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$828.529 million (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$858.949 million (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$785.022 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$924.688 million (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$990.587 million (2024 est.)
Industries
beverages and food, textiles, light manufacturing, tourism, construction, education, call center services
Public debt
Public debt 2016
82% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
2.7 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
2.7 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
2.7 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
2.7 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
2.7 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$501.371 million (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a small service-oriented economy within the OECS; prominent sectors include tourism, construction, transportation, and education; significant exporter of spices; although public debt is decreasing, it remains high; susceptible to hurricanes; incentives for a developing blue economy
Exports - partners
USA 24%, Antigua & Barbuda 13%, St. Vincent & the Grenadines 8%, Dominica 6%, Trinidad & Tobago 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 37%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, Cayman Islands 10%, China 4%, UK 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$16,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$17,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$17,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, coconuts, eggs, vegetables, fruits, bananas, plantains, grapefruits, avocados, mangoes/guavas (2023)
Exports - commodities
nutmeg/cardamoms, fish, wheat flour, frozen fruits and nuts, aqueous paints (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, automobiles, poultry, ships, plastic goods (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$148.445 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$243.473 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$270.771 million (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.391 billion (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
25% (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
2.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
2.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.916 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$2.005 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$2.08 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$371.767 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$404.13 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$423.263 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
14.8% (2024 est.)
services
65.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
2.7% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.1% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
33.7% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
43.8 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
221.453 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
60,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
18 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
94.2% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
41.703 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
98.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
74% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a variety of television and radio stations that are both publicly and privately held; the state-managed Grenada Information Service (GIS) offers television and radio services; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, which is co-owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network from Trinidad and Tobago, runs a television station along with two radio stations; Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA) offers a multi-channel cable television subscription service; there are around 25 private radio stations as of 2019.
Internet country code
.gd
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
17,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
14 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
112,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
81 (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
35,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
30 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
St. George's
very small
0
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
6 (2023)
by type
general cargo 3, other 3
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
J3
Military & Security
Military - note
Grenada joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1985; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) 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 (2025)
Military and security forces
lacking formal military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force, which operates under the Ministry of National Security, encompasses a Coast Guard as well as a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
383 (2024 est.)
