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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates
12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total : 344 sq km
land: 344 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 207
Area – comparative
twice the size of Washington, D.C.
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
121 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain
volcanic in origin with central mountains
Elevation
highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
timber, tropical fruit
Land use
agricultural land: 23.5% (2022 est.)
arable land: 8.8% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 11.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 52.1% (2022 est.)
other: 24.4% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
20 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
approximately one third of the population is found in the capital of St. George’s; the island’s population is concentrated along the coast
Natural hazards
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick ’em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the north
People and Society
Population
total: 114,621 (2024 est.)
male: 58,168
female: 56,453
comparison rankings: total 190; female 190; male 189
Nationality
noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic groups
African descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)
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.)
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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 53.1 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 33.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 19.6 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 35.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 35.2 years
female: 35.7 years
comparison ranking: total 97
Population growth rate
0.27% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 169
Birth rate
13.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 128
Death rate
8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 76
Net migration rate
-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 171
Population distribution
approximately one third of the population is found in the capital of St. George’s; the island’s population is concentrated along the coast
Urbanization
urban population: 37.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
39,000 SAINT GEORGE’S (capital) (2018)
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
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
21 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 121
Infant mortality rate
total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.5 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 139
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 73.7 years
female: 79.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 112
Total fertility rate
1.9 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 118
Gross reproduction rate
0.91 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
total: 96.8% of population
unimproved:
total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.)
Health expenditure
5.7% of GDP (2021)
6.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 93.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 6.3% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
21.3% (2016)
comparison ranking: 91
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 8.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.56 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.)
comparison ranking: total 37
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
41.3% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
5.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
14.5% national budget (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 61
Literacy
total population: 98.6%
male: 98.6%
female: 98.6% (2014 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 19 years
male: 18 years
female: 19 years (2018)
Environment
Environment – current issues
deforestation causing habitat and species loss; coastal erosion and contamination; pollution and sedimentation; inadequate solid waste management
Environment – international 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
Climate
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Land use
agricultural land: 23.5% (2022 est.)
arable land: 8.8% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 11.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 52.1% (2022 est.)
other: 24.4% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 37.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 10.08 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.27 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.04 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 29,536 tons (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 2.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources
200 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Grenada
etymology: origin of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada); in Spanish granada means “pomegranate”
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: Saint George’s
geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: originally named Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town), the name was changed to Saint George’s Town in 1764, in honor of the patron saint of England, when the English took over Grenada from the French; the name was eventually shortened to Saint George’s
Administrative divisions
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Legal system
common law based on English model
Constitution
history: previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983
amendment process: proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum
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: 7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
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)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: House of Representatives
number of seats: 15 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 6/23/2022
parties elected and seats per party: National Democratic Congress (NDC) (9); New National Party (NNP) (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 31.3%
expected date of next election: June 2027
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate
number of seats: 13 (all appointed)
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 8/31/2022
percentage of women in chamber: 30.8%
expected date of next election: August 2027
Judicial branch
highest court(s): regionally, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and 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; Court of Magisterial Appeals
note: appeals beyond the ECSC in civil and criminal matters are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
Political parties
National Democratic Congress or NDC
New National Party or NNP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Tarlie FRANCIS (since 15 September 2023)
chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://grenadaembassyusa.org/
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the Chargé d’Affaires to Barbados, Karin B. SULLIVAN, is accredited to Grenada
embassy: Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George’s
mailing address: 3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173
FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
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
Independence
7 February 1974 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Flag description
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; three yellow five-pointed stars are centered on the top red border, three on the bottom red border, and one on a red disk at the center of the flag; a nutmeg pod is on the hoist-side triangle; the seven stars stand for the administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George’s; yellow stands for the sun and the warmth of the people, green for vegetation and agriculture, and red for harmony, unity, and courage
National symbol(s)
Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
National coat of arms
Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada; in the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which landed on the island in 1498; the gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion; two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country; the corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities
Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada. In the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which landed on the island in 1498. The gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion. Two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country. The corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture. The armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities.:
National anthem
name: “Hail Grenada”
lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO
note: adopted 1974; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, “God Save the King” serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Economy
Economic overview
small OECS service-based economy; large tourism, construction, transportation, and education sectors; major spice exporter; shrinking but still high public debt; vulnerable to hurricanes; emerging blue economy incentives
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.984 billion (2023 est.)
$1.916 billion (2022 est.)
$1.785 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 201
Real GDP growth rate
3.57% (2023 est.)
7.32% (2022 est.)
4.69% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 93
Real GDP per capita
$16,900 (2023 est.)
$16,400 (2022 est.)
$15,300 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 113
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.317 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.7% (2023 est.)
2.6% (2022 est.)
1.2% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 83
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3.3% (2023 est.)
industry: 15% (2023 est.)
services: 64.5% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 61; industry 170; agriculture 136
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 63% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 60% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -55% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, coconuts, eggs, vegetables, fruits, bananas, plantains, grapefruits, avocados, mangoes/guavas (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction, education, call-center operations
Industrial production growth rate
-4.07% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 195
Labor force
55,270 (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 188
Unemployment rate
24% (2017 est.)
28.2% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 196
Population below poverty line
25% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
43.8 (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 26
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.1% (2018 est.)
highest 10%: 33.7% (2018 est.)
Remittances
6.21% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.74% of GDP (2022 est.)
5.53% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $288.404 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $222.475 million (2017 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
70.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 57
Taxes and other revenues
25.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 39
Current account balance
-$243.473 million (2023 est.)
-$148.445 million (2022 est.)
-$161.369 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 111
Exports
$828.529 million (2023 est.)
$706.195 million (2022 est.)
$537.898 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 186
Exports – partners
USA 24%, Antigua & Barbuda 13%, St. Vincent & the Grenadines 8%, Dominica 6%, Trinidad & Tobago 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
nutmeg/cardamons, fish, wheat flours, frozen fruits and nuts, aqueous paints (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$924.688 million (2023 est.)
$785.022 million (2022 est.)
$621.896 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 194
Imports – partners
USA 37%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, Cayman Islands 10%, China 4%, UK 3% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, cars, poultry, ships, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$423.263 million (2024 est.)
$404.13 million (2023 est.)
$371.767 million (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 172
Debt – external
$501.371 million (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 112
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
2.7 (2024 est.)
2.7 (2023 est.)
2.7 (2022 est.)
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 94.2% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 60,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 221.453 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 18 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 24; consumption 187; installed generating capacity 192
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 98.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 348,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 194
Energy consumption per capita
41.703 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 101
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 17,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 176
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 112,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 81 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 192
Broadcast media
multiple publicly and privately owned TV and radio stations; state-owned Grenada Information Service (GIS) provides TV and radio; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA); approximately 25 private radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.gd
Internet users
percent of population: 74% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 35,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 155
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
J3
Airports
2 (2025)
comparison ranking: 203
Merchant marine
total: 6 (2023)
by type: general cargo 3, other 3
comparison ranking: total 166
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: St. George’s
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2025)
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 (2024)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean; some local demand for cocaine and some use of synthetic drugs
