St Kitts and Nevis - Society

Population: 48,400 (2006), of which about 7,000 on Nevis; 32% of the total population lives in urban areas; growth –0.6% p.a. 1970–90 and 1.3% p.a. 1990–2006 – low or negative rates due mostly to emigration; birth rate (2006) 18 per 1,000 people (26 in 1970); life expectancy 72 years. The population is mainly of mixed African and European descent, with a UK-descended minority.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Anglicans, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Moravians and others).

Language: English.

Media: ZIZ Television is the government-owned TV station. Cable TV broadcasting local and international channels is also available.

ZIZ and ZBC Radio are the national state-owned radio stations, and Win FM and Voice of Nevis are two of the country’s private radio stations.

The main political parties publish weekly or fortnightly newspapers. Newspapers include Sun St Kitts/Nevis (daily, privately owned), Democrat (weekly of People’s Action Movement), The Labour Spokesman (twice weekly of St Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union), and The St Kitts and Nevis Observer (weekly).

There are 312 TV sets (2003), 220 personal computers (2004) and 243 internet users (2002) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 9.3% of GDP in 2005. There are 12 years of compulsory education starting at age five, offered by state, private and church schools. Net enrolment ratios are 93% for primary and 86% for secondary (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 17:1 and for secondary, 10:1 (2005). The school year starts in September.

St Kitts and Nevis participates in the regional University of the West Indies, which has campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Health: There are general hospitals at Basseterre in St Kitts and Charlestown in Nevis, and many health clinics. 99% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 96% adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 17 per 1,000 live births in 2006.

Communications: Country code 1 869. Mobile phone coverage is average and phones can be used on unregistered roaming. On production of a credit card number, visitors with TDMA handsets can make calls without registering.

Internet access is available at many of the hotels and there are internet cafes in the main towns. There is a general post office on both St Kitts (located in Basseterre) and Nevis (in Charlestown).

There are 593 main telephone lines and 237 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year/Carnival (two days), Labour Day (first Monday in May), Queen’s Official Birthday (June), August Monday (first Monday in August), National Heroes’ Day (16 September), Independence Day (19 September), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Carnival begins on 24 December and ends on 2 January.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Whit Monday.