Economy Saint Lucia
Economy - overview:
Changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased
competition from Latin American bananas have made economic
diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island
nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment,
especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The
manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean
area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana
industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though
unemployment needs to be cut.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$866 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 20% services: 73% (2002 est.)
Labor force: 43,800 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 21.7%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing 24.7%, services 53.6% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA