Communications: Internet country code
.sx
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
89.5% (2022)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
205 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
86,542 (2022 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
sugar
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2013
$4.3 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2014
-$110.8 million (2014 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2015
$18.2 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2016
-$26.6 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2017
$47.1 million (2017 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2018
$74.7 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2019
-$165.0 million (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
-$290.5 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
-$311.463 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$56.984 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
-$116.693 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates
1.7900 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2013
1.7900 (2013 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2014
1.7900 (2014 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2015
1.7900 (2015 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2016
1.7900 (2016 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2017
1.7900 (2017 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2018
1.7900 (2018 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2019
1.7900 (2019 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
1.7900 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
1.7900 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
1.7900 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
1.7900 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
1.7900 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
scrap iron, ships, jewelry, flavored water, liquor (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$790.938 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$1.375 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$1.504 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
6% (2021 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
89.3% (2021 est.)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$53,769 (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.735 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$2.331 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
jewelry, refined petroleum, ships, pearl products, diamonds (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$1.003 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$1.32 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$1.489 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
0.5% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015
0.33% (2015 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
0.11% (2016 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
2.19% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014
$1.596 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$1.671 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016
$1.715 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$1.735 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019
$1.846 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$1.595 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$1.684 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.849 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.919 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.986 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2015
0.11% (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2016
0.97% (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2017
-7.54% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2018
-6.86% (2018 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2019
10.97% (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
-13.32% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
4.58% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
9.8% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.80% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.00% (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2014
$43,514 (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2015
$44,588 (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2016
$44,845 (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2017
$44,479 (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2019
$45,716 (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2020
$38,901 (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$40,507 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$48,761 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$51,687 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2013
$72.5 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2014
$62.2 million (2014 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2015
$55.1 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2020
$38.7 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
3.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
3.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Environment: Climate
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November
Environment: Environmental issues
scarcity of potable water; inadequate solid waste management; pollution from construction, chemical runoff, and sewage
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
10.9% (2022 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
89.1% (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
100.00% (2024 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
one-fifth the size of Washington, D.C.
Geography: Area: land
34 sq km
Geography: Area: water
0 sq km
Geography: Coastline
58.9 km (for entire island)
Geography: Elevation: highest point
250 m SW of Mount Flagstaff summit, 383 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
18 4 N, 63 4 W
Geography: Geography - note
note 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two self-governing states note 2: Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka, Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Saint Martin (France) 16 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
16 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
10.9% (2022 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
89.1% (2022 est.)
Geography: Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Geography: Population distribution
the most populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg) and Cul de Sac
Geography: Terrain
low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin
Government: Capital: etymology
founded and named in 1763 by John PHILIPS, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
18 1 N, 63 2 W
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship
see the Netherlands
Government: Constitution: amendment process
proposals initiated by the Government or by Parliament; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority of the Parliament membership; passage of amendments relating to fundamental rights, authorities of the governor and of Parliament must include the "views" of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Government prior to ratification by Parliament
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1947, 1955; latest adopted 21 July 2010, entered into force 10 October 2010 (regulates governance of Sint Maarten but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Sint Maarten
Government: Country name: etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493 after Saint MARTIN of Tours because he visited on 11 November, the saint's feast day
Government: Country name: former
Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies
Government: Country name: local long form
Land Sint Maarten (Dutch)/ Country of Sint Maarten (English)
Government: Country name: local short form
Sint Maarten (Dutch and English)
Government: Dependency status
one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the governor
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Ajamu G. BALY (since 10 October 2022)
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party as prime minister
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Luc MERCELINA (since 3 May 2024)
Government: Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue, with a white isosceles triangle based on the left side; the national coat of arms is in the center of the triangle, with an orange-bordered blue shield that displays the white courthouse in Philipsburg, as well as yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; over the shield is a yellow rising sun and a brown pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield has the motto SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing)
Government: International organization participation
Caricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, other members, and their substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court in The Hague, Netherlands
Government: Judicial branch: judge selection and term of office
Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch serve for life
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
Courts in First Instance
Government: Legal system
based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
proportional representation
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
2028
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Parliament of Sint Maarten
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
1/11/2024
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
15 (directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
NA (4); UPP (3); URSM (2); DP (2); PFP (2); NOW (2)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
4 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 1932
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
Government: National color(s)
red, white, blue
Government: National holiday
King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)
Government: National symbol(s)
brown pelican, yellow sage (flower)
Government: Political parties
Democratic Party or DP National Alliance or NA National Opportunity Wealth or NOW Party for Progress or PFP Sint Maarten Christian Party or SMCP Unified Resilient St Maarten Movement or URSM United People's Party or UPP United Sint Maarten Party or US Party
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: Background
Christopher COLUMBUS claimed Saint Martin for Spain in 1493, naming it after the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, but it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 to exploit its salt deposits. The Spanish retook Saint Martin in 1633, but the Dutch continued to assert their claims. The Spanish finally relinquished the island to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. The border frequently fluctuated over the next 200 years because of friction between the two countries, with the Dutch eventually holding the smaller portion of the island (about 39%) and adopting the Dutch spelling of the island's name for their territory. The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded African slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island's economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, effective in 2010. In 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, causing extensive damage to roads, communications, electrical power, and housing; the UN estimated that 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Military and Security: Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the KPSM is supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Gendarmerie), the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG or Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (KWCARIB))
Military and Security: Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
18.4% (male 4,409/female 4,114)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
66.3% (male 15,158/female 15,496)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
15.2% (2024 est.) (male 3,250/female 3,788)
People and Society: Birth rate
12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
24.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
4.1 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
52.8 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
28.1 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditures
3.92% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
Saint Maarten 29.9%, Dominican Republic 10.2%, Haiti 7.8%, Jamaica 6.6%, Saint Martin 5.9%, Guyana 5%, Dominica 4.4%, Curacao 4.1%, Aruba 3.4%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.8%, India 2.6%, Netherlands 2.2%, US 1.6%, Suriname 1.4%, Saint Lucia 1.3%, Anguilla 1.1%, other 8%, unspecified 1.7% (2011 est.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
0.96 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
8.4 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
79.7 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
73.8 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
1,327 PHILIPSBURG (capital) (2011)
People and Society: Median age: female
42.8 years
People and Society: Median age: male
39 years
People and Society: Net migration rate
5.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Population
43,350 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population distribution
the most populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg) and Cul de Sac
People and Society: Population growth rate
1.40% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
23,667
People and Society: Population: male
23,071
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
0.98 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.86 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
1.44 children born/woman (2024 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
100.00% (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Trafficking in persons: tier rating
Tier 3 — Sint Maarten does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Sint Maarten remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/sint-maarten/
Transportation: Airports
1 (2025)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Coles Bay Oil Terminal, Philipsburg
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
0
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
1
Transportation: Ports: small
2
Transportation: Ports: total ports
2 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
0
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.