St Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean

Caribbean

A Caribbean nation with English as a main language, but a thin job market.

51
Overall score
Moderate · Penalty applied · 87% data coverage
Language
English
Currency
XCD
Citizenship
7 years
Personal tax
Up to 30%
Cost of living
$1,200 / mo (single)

Rules change often. Confirm any immigration, tax or legal decision with a qualified professional.

Score breakdown
55
Access
17%
49Residence12%
70Citizenship and passport5%
56
Earning power
25%
41Salary and work12%
70Buying power13%
53
Business and wealth
20%
58Taxes7%
55Business8%
43Investment5%
55
Daily life
25%
46Quality of life18%
77Education7%
78
Rights and institutions
13%
89Freedom6%
68Rule of law7%

Severe safety risk (34) cut the overall score from 58 to 51.

Pros

  • English as a main language

Cons

  • A thin job market

Best for

English speakers

Score profile

Access
Residence
49
Citizenship
67
Passport
79
Earning power
Salary & work
41
Buying power
70
Cost of living
65
Economy
67
Business and wealth
Taxes
58
Personal tax
45
Corporate tax
14
Business
55
Investment
43
Wealth building
51
Daily life
Safety
34
Healthcare
57
Environment
93
Infrastructure
–
Education
77
HDI
80
Rights and institutions
Freedom
89
Rule of law
68
How the scores are calculated

Access

Residence
Openness to residents
Moderate
49
Migrant stock4.8% of population (2024)
Regulatory quality0.11 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship
Citizenship accessibility
Good
67
Years required7 years
Dual allowedYes
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: 7 years; qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport
Passport power
Good
79
156 / 198
Mobility
#27
Global rank
Yes
Biometric
  • Visa-free110
  • On arrival42
  • eTA4
  • Visa required42

Placeholder estimates for 2024 to 2025. Check entry rules with each destination before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Limited
41
Output per worker$42,666 PPP (2024)
Unemployment18.0% (2025)
Participation67.9% of 15+ (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Good
70
GNI / person$22,340 PPP (2025)
Price level62 (US = 100) (2025)
Inflation0.8% / yr (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Cost of living
Affordability
Good
65
Price level62 (US = 100) (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
Monthly$1,200 / mo (single)
CitiesKingstown
Economy
Economic strength
Good
67
Output & income
GDP$1.3B (2025)
GDP / person$12,562 (2025)
GNI / person$22,340 PPP (2025)
GDP growth4.1% / yr (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Stability & labour
Inflation0.8% / yr (2025)
Unemployment18.0% (2025)
Output per worker$42,666 PPP (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Sector composition
Agriculture3.4% of GDP (2025)
Industry15.1% of GDP (2025)
Services66.4% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main industries
TourismAgriculture (bananas)Offshore financeFisheriesConstruction
Top exports
BananasArrowrootTourism services
TypeUpper-middle-income, tourism- and agri-led
Key sectorsTourism & yachting, Agriculture, Offshore financial services
SummaryA small multi-island economy built on tourism, bananas and a modest offshore-finance sector.
CurrencyEast Caribbean dollar (pegged to the US dollar)

Business and wealth

Taxes
Tax friendliness
Moderate
58
PersonalUp to 30%
Corporate30%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax
Personal tax
Moderate
45
PersonalUp to 30%
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax
Corporate tax
Low
14
Corporate30%
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign companiesManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Moderate
55
Regulation & bureaucracy
Regulatory quality0.11 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Government effectiveness0.27 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Operating rules
Foreign companyGenerally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local companyAvailable company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment
Investing environment
Limited
43
Private credit37% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building
Wealth accumulation
Moderate
51
Salary & work
Limited
41
Business
Moderate
55
Investment
Limited
43
Tax friendliness
Moderate
58
Cost of living
Good
65

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Limited
34
Personal safety
Homicide rate51.3 per 100,000 (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Institutions & stability
Control of corruption0.71 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Political stability1.04 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Moderate
57
Outcomes
Life expectancy71.4 years (2024)
Under-5 mortality11.3 per 1,000 births (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capacity & resourcing
Physicians0.94 per 1,000 (2012)
Hospital beds3.21 per 1,000 (2022)
Health spending$908 PPP / person (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Average costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Excellent
93
Environmental pressure
PM2.5 exposure10.6 μg/m³ annually (2023)
Water stress7.9% (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Data not available
–
Digital infrastructure
Internet use76.2% (2024)
Internet resilience52 / 100 (2026)
Fixed speed73 / 100 download index (2026)
Mobile speed69 / 100 download index (2026)

Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators · Internet Society Pulse Internet Resilience Index

Utilities
Electricity access100.0% (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Education
Education score
Good
77
Attainment
Expected schooling16.3 years (2023)
Mean schooling11.3 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Participation & investment
Tertiary enrolment41% gross (2022)
Education spending6.5% of GDP (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tuition$3,000–10,000 / yr
Public universityVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesEnglish
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Excellent
80
HDI0.798 (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Long & healthy life
Life expectancy71.2 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Knowledge
Expected schooling16.3 years (2023)
Mean schooling11.3 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Standard of living
GNI / person$17,247 PPP (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Excellent
89
Freedom in the World89 / 100 (Free)
Sources
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Good
68
Rule of Law percentile68 / 100
Sources
Resources
Official references
UN Statistics: M49 country and area codesunstats.un.orgPwC: Worldwide Tax Summariestaxsummaries.pwc.comUNDP Human Development Report 2025hdr.undp.orgInternet Society Pulse Internet Resilience Indexpulse.internetsociety.orgWorld Bank World Development Indicatorsdata.worldbank.org
Quick links
St Vincent and the Grenadines visa & immigrationgoogle.comSt Vincent and the Grenadines tax residency rulesgoogle.comSt Vincent and the Grenadines citizenship requirementsgoogle.comCost of living in St Vincent and the Grenadinesgoogle.com

Data is illustrative. Not legal or tax advice.