Sint Maarten Country Statistics

LOCATION

Sint Maarten encompasses the southern half of the island of St Martin; the northern half of the island constitutes French Saint Martin. The Island of St. Martin is part of the Leeward Islands and is 6 miles (9 km) south of Anguilla.

ECONOMY

Sint Maarten is an overseas territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is highly exposed to natural disasters due to its location within the Atlantic hurricane belt. Over the past decade, the island has been affected by several severe storms, most notably Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which struck within days of each other in September 2017. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, caused widespread damage, with approximately 90 percent of infrastructure severely impacted. According to the World Bank, the total cost of damages and losses was estimated at US$2.73 billion, equivalent to 255 percent of GDP. The scale of destruction significantly disrupted economic activity, with real GDP contracting by a cumulative 12.5 percent between 2017 and 2018. The tourism sector, the main driver of growth and employment, was particularly affected, with stay-over arrivals declining by 24 percent in 2017 and a further 56 percent in 2018. In response, the government, together with the Netherlands and the World Bank, established the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund to support rebuilding and long-term development.

Tourism remains the central pillar of Sint Maarten’s economy, with tourism-related sectors, including accommodation and food services, transport, and wholesale and retail trade, accounting for a significant share of output. The country’s Princess Juliana International Airport serves as a key regional hub. Its main source market is North America, with most visitor arrivals originating from the United States, followed by Europe.

Following the sharp contraction of 20.4 percent during the pandemic, Sint Maarten’s economy has recorded a steady recovery. Real GDP growth rebounded strongly to 13.9 percent in 2022, reflecting the reopening of the tourism sector and pent-up demand. Growth then moderated to 3.8 percent in 2023 and 3 percent in 2024, before strengthening slightly to 3.4 percent in 2025. In 2025, growth was supported by strong tourism activity and public investment. Stay-over arrivals increased by 3.1 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, while cruise arrivals rose by 12.4 percent between January and August. Continued improvements in airlift, new hotel developments, and the introduction of new tourist attractions are expected to provide further support to the sector in the near term.

Fiscal conditions improved in 2025, with the current budget recording a surplus of 1 percent of GDP, compared to a balanced position in 2024. The overall deficit narrowed to 0.8 percent of GDP from 1.3 percent in 2024, as stronger revenue growth more than offset higher capital expenditure. Public debt increased slightly, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising to 43 percent in 2025 from 42.1 percent in 2024, reflecting additional external borrowing, including a government bond issued in December 2025 to finance public investment.

Real GDP growth is expected to moderate to 2.7 percent in 2026 as the post-pandemic recovery phase eases. Growth will continue to be supported by domestic demand, alongside ongoing private and public investment. However, as a small, open, tourism-dependent economy, Sint Maarten is exposed to external shocks. Elevated geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, could increase energy and transportation costs, adding to inflationary pressures. At the same time, higher travel costs due to rising jet fuel prices and weaker growth in key source markets, such as the United States and Europe, could dampen tourism demand.