KN - Saint Kitts and Nevis (KNA)

Central America :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Introduction :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Background:
    Carib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British began settlement in 1623. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to separate from Saint Kitts.
    SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SUMMARY: PDF
  • Geography :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Location:
    Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
    Geographic coordinates:
    17 20 N, 62 45 W
    Map references:
    Central America and the Caribbean
    Area:
    total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)
    land: 261 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    country comparison to the world: 212
    Area - comparative:
    1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
    Land boundaries:
    0 km
    Coastline:
    135 km
    Maritime claims:
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    contiguous zone: 24 nm
    continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
    Climate:
    tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
    Terrain:
    volcanic with mountainous interiors
    Elevation:
    lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
    highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
    Natural resources:
    arable land
    Land use:
    agricultural land: 23.1% (2011 est.)
    arable land: 19.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.4% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 3.5% (2011 est.)
    forest: 42.3% (2011 est.)
    other: 34.6% (2011 est.)
    Irrigated land:
    8 sq km (2012)
    Population distribution:
    population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
    Natural hazards:

    hurricanes (July to October)

    volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

    Environment - current issues:
    deforestation; soil erosion and silting affects marine life on coral reefs; water pollution from uncontrolled dumping of sewage
    Environment - international agreements:
    party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - note:
    smallest country in the Americas and Western Hemisphere; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island
  • People and Society :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Population:
    53,094 (July 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 208
    Nationality:
    noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)
    adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian
    Ethnic groups:
    African origin 92.5%, mixed 3%, white 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other .6%, unspecified .3% (2001 est.)
    Languages:
    English (official)
    Religions:
    Protestant 74.4% (includes Anglican 20.6%, Methodist 19.1%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Church of God 6.8%, Moravian 5.5%, Baptist 4.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.7%, Evangelical 2.6%, Bretheren 1.8%, other .3%), Roman Catholic 6.7%, Rastafarian 1.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other 7.6%, none 5.2%, unspecified 3.2% (2001 est.)
    Age structure:
    0-14 years: 20.09% (male 5,354 /female 5,311)
    15-24 years: 14.28% (male 3,645 /female 3,936)
    25-54 years: 44.25% (male 12,059 /female 11,437)
    55-64 years: 12.35% (male 3,274 /female 3,283)
    65 years and over: 9.03% (male 2,236 /female 2,559) (2018 est.)
    population pyramid: population pyramid
    Median age:
    total: 35.5 years
    male: 35.7 years
    female: 35.3 years (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 79
    Population growth rate:
    0.7% (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 142
    Birth rate:
    13 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 148
    Death rate:
    7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 124
    Net migration rate:
    1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 59
    Population distribution:
    population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
    Urbanization:
    urban population: 30.8% of total population (2018)
    rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
    Major urban areas - population:
    14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018)
    Sex ratio:
    at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
    0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
    15-24 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
    25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
    55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
    Infant mortality rate:
    total: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 149
    Life expectancy at birth:
    total population: 76.2 years
    male: 73.7 years
    female: 78.7 years (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 92
    Total fertility rate:
    1.77 children born/woman (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 157
    Health expenditures:
    5.1% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 137
    Physicians density:
    2.52 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
    Hospital bed density:
    4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
    Drinking water source:
    improved: urban: 98.3% of population
    rural: 98.3% of population
    total: 98.3% of population
    unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population
    rural: 1.7% of population
    total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)
    Sanitation facility access:
    improved: urban: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
    rural: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
    total: 87.3% of population (2007 est.)
    unimproved: urban: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
    rural: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
    total: 12.7% of population (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - deaths:
    NA
    Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
    22.9% (2016)
    country comparison to the world: 71
    Education expenditures:
    2.8% of GDP (2015)
    country comparison to the world: 152
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
    total: 14 years
    male: 13 years
    female: 16 years (2015)
  • Government :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Country name:
    conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
    conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis
    former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
    etymology: Saint Kitts was, and still is, referred to as Saint Christopher and this name was well established by the 17th century (although who first applied the name is unclear); in the 17th century a common nickname for Christopher was Kit or Kitt, so the island began to be referred to as "Saint Kitt's Island" or just "Saint Kitts"; Nevis is derived from the original Spanish name "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" (Our Lady of the Snows) and refers to the white halo of clouds that generally wreathes Nevis Peak

    note: Nevis is pronounced neevis

    Government type:
    federal parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
    Capital:
    name: Basseterre
    geographic coordinates: 17 18 N, 62 43 W
    time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions:
    14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
    Independence:
    19 September 1983 (from the UK)
    National holiday:
    Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
    Constitution:
    history: several previous (preindependence); latest presented 22 June 1983, effective 23 June 1983
    amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the total Assembly membership and assent to by the governor general; amendments to constitutional provisions such as the sovereignty of the federation, fundamental rights and freedoms, the judiciary, and the Nevis Island Assembly also require approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds of the votes cast in Saint Kitts and in Nevis (2018)
    International law organization participation:
    has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
    Citizenship:
    citizenship by birth: yes
    citizenship by descent only: yes
    dual citizenship recognized: yes
    residency requirement for naturalization: 14 years
    Suffrage:
    18 years of age; universal
    Executive branch:
    chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Samuel W.T. SEATON (since 2 September 2015); note - SEATON was acting Governor General from 20 May to 2 September 2015
    head of government: Prime Minister Timothy HARRIS (since 18 February 2015); Deputy Prime Minister Shawn RICHARDS (since 22 February 2015)
    cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general in consultation with prime minister
    elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general
    Legislative branch:
    description: unicameral National Assembly (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms)
    elections: last held on 16 February 2015 (next to be held by 2020)
    election results: percent of vote by party - SKNLP 39.3%, PAM 27.9% CCM 13.0% NRP 10.8%, PLP 9.0%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 3, CCM 2, NRP 1, PLP 1; composition as of early 2018, including the attorney general - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7%
    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 Kitts and Nevis; note - the ECSC in 2003 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final court of appeal on Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Kitts and Nevis 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:
    Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY]
    Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]
    People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS]
    People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS]
    Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]
    International organization participation:
    ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
    Diplomatic representation in the US:
    chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016)
    chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
    telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
    FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
    consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
    Diplomatic representation from the US:
    the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis
    Flag description:
    divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism
    National symbol(s):
    brown pelican, royal poinciana (flamboyant) tree; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white
    National anthem:
    name: Oh Land of Beauty!
    lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

    note: adopted 1983

  • Economy :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Economy - overview:

    The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.

    Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.

    GDP (purchasing power parity):
    $1.55 billion (2017 est.)
    $1.518 billion (2016 est.)
    $1.476 billion (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 199
    GDP (official exchange rate):
    $964 million (2017 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate:
    2.1% (2017 est.)
    2.9% (2016 est.)
    2.7% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 147
    GDP - per capita (PPP):
    $28,200 (2017 est.)
    $27,600 (2016 est.)
    $27,300 (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 73
    Gross national saving:
    19.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
    19.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
    15.4% of GDP (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 98
    GDP - composition, by end use:
    household consumption: 41.4% (2017 est.)
    government consumption: 25.9% (2017 est.)
    investment in fixed capital: 30.8% (2017 est.)
    investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
    exports of goods and services: 62.5% (2017 est.)
    imports of goods and services: -60.4% (2017 est.)
    GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
    agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)
    industry: 30% (2017 est.)
    services: 68.9% (2017 est.)
    Agriculture - products:
    sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish
    Industries:
    tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
    Industrial production growth rate:
    5% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 56
    Labor force:
    18,170 (June 1995 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 212
    Unemployment rate:
    4.5% (1997)
    country comparison to the world: 65
    Population below poverty line:
    NA
    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
    lowest 10%: NA
    highest 10%: NA
    Budget:
    revenues: 307 million (2017 est.)
    expenditures: 291.1 million (2017 est.)
    Taxes and other revenues:
    31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 70
    Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
    1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 18
    Public debt:
    62.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
    61.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 67
    Fiscal year:
    calendar year
    Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    0% (2017 est.)
    -0.3% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 12
    Central bank discount rate:
    6.5% (31 December 2009)
    6.5% (31 December 2008)
    country comparison to the world: 62
    Commercial bank prime lending rate:
    9.09% (31 December 2017 est.)
    9.23% (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 93
    Stock of narrow money:
    $196.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 184
    Stock of broad money:
    $196.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $210.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 187
    Stock of domestic credit:
    $721.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $704.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 171
    Market value of publicly traded shares:
    $598.4 million (31 December 2011)
    $623.9 million (2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 111
    Current account balance:
    -$97 million (2017 est.)
    -$102 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 85
    Exports:
    $57.4 million (2017 est.)
    $53.9 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 202
    Exports - partners:
    US 49.6%, Poland 15.2%, Turkey 11.6% (2016)
    Exports - commodities:
    machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco
    Imports:
    $335.3 million (2017 est.)
    $307.9 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 201
    Imports - commodities:
    machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
    Imports - partners:
    US 56.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.8%, Cyprus 6.2%, Japan 4% (2016)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
    $365.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $320.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 162
    Debt - external:
    $201.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $187.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 187
    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.)
  • Energy :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Electricity access:
    population without electricity: 5,232 (2012)
    electrification - total population: 91% (2012)
    electrification - urban areas: 100% (2012)
    electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)
    Electricity - production:
    208 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 191
    Electricity - consumption:
    193.4 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 193
    Electricity - exports:
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 188
    Electricity - imports:
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    Electricity - installed generating capacity:
    64,200 kW (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 187
    Electricity - from fossil fuels:
    94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 48
    Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 172
    Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 195
    Electricity - from other renewable sources:
    6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 102
    Crude oil - production:
    0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    Crude oil - exports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 184
    Crude oil - imports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 186
    Crude oil - proved reserves:
    0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 186
    Refined petroleum products - production:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 193
    Refined petroleum products - consumption:
    1,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 196
    Refined petroleum products - exports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 194
    Refined petroleum products - imports:
    1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 192
    Natural gas - production:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 188
    Natural gas - consumption:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    Natural gas - exports:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 173
    Natural gas - imports:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 179
    Natural gas - proved reserves:
    0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 185
    Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
    248,100 Mt (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 195
  • Communications :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Telephones - fixed lines:
    total subscriptions: 17,293 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Telephones - mobile cellular:
    total subscriptions: 76,878 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 146 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 196
    Telephone system:
    general assessment: good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development (2017)
    domestic: interisland links via ECFS; fixed-line teledensity about 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 146 per 100 persons (2017)
    international: country code - 1-869; connected internationally by the East ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables (2017)
    Broadcast media:
    the government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2007)
    Internet country code:
    .kn
    Internet users:
    total: 39,000 (July 2016 est.)
    percent of population: 75.7% (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 199
    Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
    total: 16,400 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 158
  • Transportation :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
    V4 (2016)
    Airports:
    2 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    Airports - with paved runways:
    total: 2 (2017)
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
    914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
    Railways:
    total: 50 km (2008)
    narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists (2008)
    country comparison to the world: 132
    Roadways:
    total: 383 km (2002)
    paved: 163 km (2002)
    unpaved: 220 km (2002)
    country comparison to the world: 162
    Merchant marine:
    total: 240
    by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 5, general cargo 44, oil tanker 55, other 130 (2018)
    country comparison to the world: 62
    Ports and terminals:
    major seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown
  • Military and Security :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Military branches:
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Labour, Immigration, and Social Security: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force (2013)
    Military service age and obligation:
    18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
  • Transnational Issues :: Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Disputes - international:

    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:
    transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity