CapitalGustavia
Population7,079
Area25 km²
LanguagesFrench , English
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy81.0 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Introduction
Background
In 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named Saint Barthelemy for his brother Bartolomeo, but the island was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, France sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia after the Swedish King GUSTAV III and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2012, it became an overseas territory of the EU, allowing it to exert local control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers, including non-French European citizens. Hurricane Irma hit the island in 2017 and caused extensive damage.
Geography
Area
land
25 sq km
water
negligible
total
25 sq km
Climate
The climate is tropical, exhibiting minimal temperature fluctuations; it experiences two distinct seasons: dry and humid.
Terrain
The landscape is hilly, nearly encircled by shallow-water reefs and characterized by numerous beaches.
Land use
other
91.5% (2022 est.)
forest
8.5% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Location
Situated in the Caribbean, this island lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, belonging to the northern group of the Leeward Islands; Saint Barthelemy is positioned to the east of the US Virgin Islands.
Elevation
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Morne du Vitet 286 m
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Geography - note
A marine nature reserve covering 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres), known as the Reserve Naturelle, comprises five zones surrounding the island, creating a network aimed at preserving the coral reefs, seagrass, and at-risk marine species.
Natural resources
The island possesses limited natural resources; however, its beaches promote tourism.
Area - comparative
Its area is less than one-eighth that of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
17 90 N, 62 85 W
Population distribution
The majority of residents are located in and around the capital city, Gustavia, though there are dispersed settlements throughout the island's outer areas.
People & Society
Languages
Languages
French (primary), English
major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.17 male(s)/female
total population
1.12 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
1.01 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.32 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
47 years
total
47.7 years (2025 est.)
female
47.8 years
Population
male
3,730
total
7,079 (2025 est.)
female
3,349
Age structure
0-14 years
13.9% (male 506/female 479)
15-64 years
63.1% (male 2,413/female 2,057)
65 years and over
23% (2024 est.) (male 818/female 813)
Ethnic groups
French, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
60.1 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
22 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
38 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
7.6 deaths/1,000 live births
total
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.08% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a significant portion of the population is focused in and near the capital city of Gustavia, although there are dispersed communities located along the island's edges
Life expectancy at birth
male
78 years
female
84.2 years
total population
81 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
characterized by a tropical climate with minimal temperature fluctuations; consists of two distinct seasons, namely dry and humid
Land use
other
91.5% (2022 est.)
forest
8.5% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
terrestrial pollution; urban development; restricted freshwater supplies; excessive fishing
Government
Flag
the flag of France is displayed
Capital
name
Gustavia
etymology
named to commemorate King GUSTAV III of Sweden, who was the monarch at the time Sweden acquired the island from France in 1784; the designation was preserved when the island was repurchased by France in 1878
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 53 N, 62 51 W
Suffrage
18 years of age, universal
Citizenship
see France
Constitution
history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendment process
amendment procedures of France's constitution apply
Country name
etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in honor of his brother Bartolomeo in 1493
abbreviation
Saint-Barth (in French)/ St. Barts or St. Barths (in English)
local long form
Collectivité d'outre mer de Saint-Barthélemy
local short form
Saint-Barthélemy
conventional long form
Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy
conventional short form
Saint Barthelemy
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Legal system
French civil law system
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council chosen by the Territorial Council; additionally, there exists an advisory council focused on economic, social, and cultural matters
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (taking office on 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Cyrille LE VELY (since 15 January 2025)
election results
2022: Xavier LEDEE (Saint Barth United) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 13 votes for, 6 blank votes
2017: Bruno MAGRAS (Saint Barth First!) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 14 out of 19 votes
head of government
President of Territorial Council Xavier LEDEE (since 3 April 2022)
most recent election date
27 March 2022
election/appointment process
French president is elected directly by an absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of five years (eligible for a consecutive term); the prefect is appointed by the French president based on the recommendations of the French Ministry of Interior; the president of the Territorial Council is indirectly elected by its members for a five-year term
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
Dependency status
overseas collectivity of France
Political parties
All for Saint Barth (Tous pour Saint-Barth)
Saint Barth Action Equilibre
Saint Barth First! (Saint-Barth d'Abord!) or SBA (linked to France's Republican party, Les Republicains)
Saint Barth United (Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy)
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
19 (directly elected)
electoral system
mixed
legislature name
Territorial Council
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/27/2022
expected date of next election
2027
parties elected and seats per party
Saint Barth Action-Équilibre and Unis pour Saint Barthelemy (13); SBA (6)
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise"
history
official anthem, as a French collectivity
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National symbol(s)
pelican
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas collectivity of France)
International organization participation
ACS (associate), UPU
Economy
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
The economy of the French Caribbean territories is classified as high-income; it relies heavily on duty-free luxury retail and tourism sectors. The region is reliant on imports for essentials such as food, water, energy, and manufacturing goods, while also benefiting from a substantial labor force from Brazil and Portugal. It is characterized by environmental vulnerability.
Exports - partners
Spain 57%, Switzerland 24%, France 6%, Ireland 5%, Canada 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
Switzerland 50%, Portugal 14%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5%, Ireland 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined copper, jewelry (2023)
Imports - commodities
precious metal watches, base metal watches, jewelry, automobiles, clothing (2023)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2021)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
71.3% (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
Two local television stations; five FM radio frequencies (2021)
Internet country code
.bl
Transportation
Airports
1 (2025)
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with France.
