Social conditions
They have great social differences between different groups in society. The crisis in the banana industry (see Economic overview) has hit many growers hard, and a large part of the islanders live in poverty and depend on agriculture for self-sufficiency. Many children in poor families have to work to contribute to their family’s livelihood.
Most of the poor people live in rural areas in poor housing. A small part lacks access to clean water and drains. The government has tried to implement support measures and poverty has gradually reduced.
- Countryaah Official Site: Official statistics for population in St. Lucia, including population growth, density, and estimation in next 50 years.
The healthcare system is well-developed and includes several hospitals and dozens of health centers. Most children are vaccinated against serious illnesses such as TB and measles. The social protection network with sickness benefit, maternity allowance and unemployment benefit mainly comprises those who have an employment.
Violence against women and children is a problem, as is drug use in the wake of international drug trafficking in the country. Poverty combined with drug trafficking contributes to widespread crime. The number of murders per year more than doubled from 2000 to 2010, when 44 people were murdered. Four years later, the number of murders had dropped to 34, which is nevertheless a high figure in relation to the population.
- AbbreviationFinder Website: Provides commonly used acronyms, history, politics and geography of country St, Lucia.
FACTS – SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Infant Mortality: 15 per 1000 births (2018)
Proportion of population with access to clean water: 98.2 percent (2015)
Proportion of the population having access to toilets: 88.4 percent (2017)
Public expenditure on health care as a percentage of GDP: 6.0 percent (2015)
Public expenditure on health care per person: US $ 490 (2016)
Proportion of women in parliament: 17 percent (2018)
Communications
The road network is in relatively good condition after being refurbished during the 2000s and 2010s. There is no railroad.
Ports can be found in the towns of Castries and Vieux Fort. A smaller port is also located in Soufrière. Regular ferries go to nearby islands.
Saint Lucia has two airports. From Saint Lucia there are flights to the USA, Europe and most of the Caribbean islands. Saint Lucia is a partner in the regional airline Liat.