People and Society of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Nationality

Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

Ethnic Groups

predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese

Population

47,657

Population in Major Urban Areas

BASSETERRE (capital) 12,000

Medical care is limited. The main hospitals are Joseph N. France General Hospital (telephone (869) 465-2551) on St. Kitts and Alexandria Hospital (telephone (869) 469-5473) on Nevis. St. Kitts has two additional hospitals and both islands have several health clinics. Neither island has a hyperbaric chamber. Divers suffering from decompression illness are transported to the island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Saint Kitts and Nevis stands at approximately 75 to 76 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy is estimated at around 78 years, while male life expectancy is closer to 73 years. These figures are broadly in line with the regional average for Caribbean nations and reflect sustained improvements in public health infrastructure over recent decades. Several factors contribute to the relatively strong life expectancy outcomes in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country benefits from a functioning public healthcare system that includes the Joseph N. France General Hospital on Saint Kitts, which serves as the primary referral facility for both islands. Access to basic preventive care, maternal health services, and childhood immunization programs has helped reduce mortality rates and extend healthy life spans across the population. Non-communicable diseases represent the leading health challenges facing residents today. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity-related conditions are the primary causes of premature death on the islands, mirroring trends seen throughout the Caribbean. The government, in partnership with regional health bodies such as the Pan American Health Organization, has implemented programs aimed at reducing risk factors through lifestyle education and improved chronic disease management. The country's small population — estimated at around 47,000 to 55,000 people — allows for a more targeted delivery of healthcare services, though it also means the system can be stretched during periods of increased demand or natural disasters. Hurricane preparedness and climate resilience have become increasingly important components of the national health strategy given the islands' vulnerability to severe weather events. Infant mortality rates in Saint Kitts and Nevis have declined significantly over the past three decades, which has meaningfully contributed to overall gains in life expectancy at birth. With continued investment in primary healthcare and public health education, health authorities aim to sustain and gradually extend these life expectancy benchmarks in the coming years.

Infant Mortality Rate

Saint Kitts and Nevis maintains a relatively low infant mortality rate compared to many other nations in the Caribbean region, reflecting the country's investment in healthcare infrastructure and maternal and child health services. The infant mortality rate for Saint Kitts and Nevis is approximately 8 to 9 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it among the better-performing small island developing states in the Western Hemisphere. This rate represents significant progress over the past several decades. In earlier periods, infant mortality on the islands was considerably higher, driven by limited access to advanced medical facilities, infectious diseases, and challenges in delivering consistent prenatal and postnatal care. Sustained improvements in public health systems, access to trained healthcare professionals during childbirth, immunization programs, and better nutritional support for mothers and infants have all contributed to the decline. The government of Saint Kitts and Nevis operates public healthcare facilities on both islands, with the Joseph N. France General Hospital on Saint Kitts serving as the primary referral center. The availability of skilled birth attendants and routine antenatal care has played a meaningful role in reducing complications during and after delivery. Common causes of infant mortality in the country include congenital conditions, complications arising from premature birth, and respiratory conditions in newborns — challenges that are not unique to Saint Kitts and Nevis but are common across developing nations globally. Efforts to address these causes include expanded neonatal care capabilities and public health education initiatives targeting expectant mothers. Despite these positive trends, the small population size of Saint Kitts and Nevis — approximately 47,000 to 50,000 people — means that even a small number of infant deaths can produce noticeable year-to-year fluctuations in the reported rate. Continued investment in healthcare access, particularly on the smaller island of Nevis, remains important to sustaining and improving upon these outcomes over time.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

• Anglican beliefs50.0%
• Christian25.0%
• Other / None25.0%

English

• English

Crime Information

The government is currently working to combat an influx of illegal weapons onto the islands. Violent crime—including murder, petty street crime, automobile break-ins and burglary—continue to occur. To combat these problems, St. Kitts has hired a new police chief to guide the police force and implement higher standards in crime fighting. Visitors and residents must exercise common-sense precautions such as traveling in groups, avoiding walking alone at night or carrying large amounts of cash, other valuables or travel documents. Hotel safety deposit facilities should be used to safeguard valuables and travel documents. Visitors should also avoid leaving bags, valuables and other belongings in rental vehicles or on beaches. Some American universities in St. Kitts and Nevis have instituted strict curfew hours for students, as many have recently been victims of crime in downtown Basseterre. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography. While you are overseas, U.S. laws don’t apply. If you do something illegal in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Persons violating St. Kitts and Nevis laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs or firearms in St. Kitts and Nevis are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. It is important to note that the prison on St. Kitts was built in the 1800s and is not on par with U.S. prisons. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.