Quick facts
Saint Lucia population overview
Saint Lucia is the 22nd most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 181,146 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,974 births (10.9 per 1,000 people) and 1,612 deaths (8.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 54 people. The infant mortality rate is 13 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 92,585 in 1960 to 180,149 in 2025 — a change of +94.6%, or +1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 35.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.2 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.2% of residents are under 15 and 10% are 65 or older (2025); 29.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Castries. Saint Lucia covers 620 km², giving a population density of about 293 people per km². GDP was $2.66B in 2025 — about $14,746 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Saint Lucia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 181,391 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 181,146 |
| World rank | #192 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #22 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.002% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 1,974 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,612 |
| Net migration per year est. | -54 |
| Birth rate | 10.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 13 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 35.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 29.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 620 km² |
| Population density | 293 per km² |
| Capital | Castries |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.66B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $14,746 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Saint Lucia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 181,391 | – | – |
| 2025 | 180,149 | +405 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 179,744 | +459 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 179,285 | +504 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 178,781 | +259 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 178,522 | +272 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 178,250 | +3,345 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 174,905 | +3,999 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 170,906 | +5,456 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 165,450 | +6,834 | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 158,616 | +10,408 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 148,208 | +10,351 | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 137,857 | +8,698 | +1.3% |
| 1985 | 129,159 | +9,869 | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 119,290 | +8,565 | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 110,725 | +7,560 | +1.4% |
| 1970 | 103,165 | +5,672 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 97,493 | +4,908 | +1% |
| 1960 | 92,585 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Saint Lucia
Population over time
- From 92,585 in 1960 to 181,391 today — up 95.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 72.8 years (2024), up 15 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.2 births vs 8.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17.2% of the population is under 15 and 10% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.31 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 1.71 t in 2024, vs 0.29 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 763 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 88.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 9.7% of final energy in 2022 (-33.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 34% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 34.9% to 34% since 1990 — roughly 5 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 29.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 20.3% in 1960 (+8.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 14.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,678 m³ in 2022, down 47.1% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $2.66B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47% since 2015.
- That works out to $14,746 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 9.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 68.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 98.7 per 100 people (2022).
Saint Lucia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Saint Lucia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Saint Lucia has an estimated population of 181,391. The United Nations estimated 181,146 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Saint Lucia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.2% per year — roughly 1 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,974 births and 1,612 deaths, with net migration of -54.
What is the population density of Saint Lucia?
About 293 people per square kilometre: 181,391 people living on 620 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Saint Lucia?
The median age is 35.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.2 years. 17.2% of the population is under 15 and 10% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Saint Lucia rank by population?
Saint Lucia is the 192nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 22nd in North America, with 0.002% of the global population.
How has the population of Saint Lucia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 92,585; by 2025 it had grown to 180,149 (+94.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KiribatiSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.