Economy - overview:
In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy the tourism
industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by
marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The
government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in
September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in
1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit
and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction
of poverty with the help of international donors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.778 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$908 million (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.2%
industry: 15.2%
services: 61.2% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
90,000
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
(2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 18%
services: 55% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.9% (2003)
Population below poverty line:
33% (1999 est.)