本地媒體依據世界銀行2014年世界發展報告指出，按每人平均國家收入毛額（GNI）標準統計，克國每人平均所得計13,330美元，為東加勒比海 國家組織（OECS）最富有國家，並為加勒比海地區10個國家當中第3富有國家，僅次於巴哈馬（21,280美元）及千里達（14,440美元），其他第 4至10位排名依序為安地卡及巴布達（12,640美元）、蘇利南（8,480美元）、格瑞那達（7,110美元）、聖露西亞（6,530美元）、多米尼 克（6,460美元）、聖文森（6,380美元）及牙買加（5,140美元）。另上述報告未將古巴、多明尼加、海地及巴貝多等國家列入統計。
另依據上述報告指出，克國昔日蔗糖工業因高成本及國際蔗糖市場價格偏低而沒落後，致力經濟多元化發展，目前觀光、農業及輕工業主宰克國經濟繁榮成長。
St. Kitts and Nevis,wealthiest in the OECS, and third wealthiest in the Caribbean
BASSETERRE, ST.KITTS, DECEMBER 23RD 2013 (CUOPM) _ St.Kitts and Nevis is the wealthiest in the OECS and third wealthiest in theCaribbean region.
According to the WorldBank 2014World Development Report, St. Kitts and Nevis is first among the OECS nations andthird among the 10 Caribbean countries.
The information is data of its main criterion forclassifying economies, the gross national income (GNI) per capita.
The GNI per capita is the gross national income ofa country divided by its total population. It is also the sum of value added byall resident producers, plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included inthe valuation of output, plus net receipts of primary income (compensation ofemployees and property income) from abroad.
Here are the rankings of the top 10 countries in the Caribbean, based on GNI
1. Bahamas US$21,280 (GNI)
The most economically prosperous countries in theCaribbean, the Bahamas relies on tourism to generate most of its economicactivity. The tourism industry not only accounts for over 60 percent of theBahamian gross domestic product, but provides jobs for more than half thecountry workforce.
After tourism, the next most important economicsector is financial services, accounting for approximately 15 percent of itsGDP. The Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas.
2. Trinidad and Tobago US$14,400 (GNI)
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the wealthiest and well-developednations in the Caribbean. In November 2011, the Organization for EconomicCooperation and Development removed Trinidad and Tobago from its list ofdeveloping countries.
Trinidad economy is strongly influenced by thepetroleum industry. Tourism and manufacturing are also important to the localeconomy. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as importantas in many other Caribbean islands. Agricultural products include citrus, cocoaand others.
3. St. Kitts and Nevis US$13,330(GNI)
St. Kitts and Nevis are a twin-island federationwith an economy characterized by its dominant tourism, agriculture and lightmanufacturing industries. Sugar was the primary export from the 1940s on, butrising production costs, low world market prices, and the government effortsto reduce dependence on it have led to a growing diversification of theagricultural sector.
Tourism on the island has been expanding since1978. In 2009, there were 587,479 tourist arrivals to St. Kitts compared to 379,473in 2007.
4. Antigua and Barbuda US$12,640(GNI)
Tourism dominates Antigua economy, accounting formore than half of the gross domestic product. Antigua is famous for its manyluxury resorts located around the coastline.
The growing medical schools and its students also add much to the economy. TheUniversity of Health Sciences Antigua and the American University of AntiguaCollege of Medicine teach aspiring doctors.
5. Suriname US$8,480 (GNI)
Suriname democracy gained some strength after theturbulent 1990s, and its economy became more diversified and less dependent onDutch financial assistance.
Bauxite (aluminum ore) mining continues to be astrong revenue source, and the discovery and exploitation of oil and gold hasadded substantially to Suriname economic independence. Agriculture,especially rice and bananas, remains a strong component of the economy, andecotourism is providing new economic opportunities.
6. Grenada US$7,110 (GNI)
Grenada economic progress in fiscal reforms andprudent macroeconomic management have boosted annual growth to 5 to 6 percentin 1998_1999. The increase in economic activity has been led by constructionand trade. Tourist facilities are being expanded as tourism is the leadingforeign exchange earner.
Grenada is also a leading producer of severalspices. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, allspice, orange and citrus peels, wildcoffee used by the locals, and especially nutmeg, providing 20 percent of theworld supply, are all important exports.
7. St. Lucia US$6,530 (GNI)
St. Lucia educated workforce and improvements inroads, communications, water supply, sewerage, and port facilities haveattracted foreign investment in tourism and in petroleum storage andtransshipment. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business andinvestment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, which isthe its main source of revenue.
The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in theEastern Caribbean, and the government is trying to revitalize the bananaindustry.
8. Dominica US$6,460 (GNI)
Bananas and other crops dominate Dominicaeconomy, and nearly one-third of the labor force works in agriculture. In 2008,Dominica had one of the lowest per capita gross domestic product rates ofEastern Caribbean states. The country nearly had a financial crisis in 2003 and2004, but its economy grew by 3.5 percent in 2005 and 4.0 percent in 2006,following a decade of poor performance.
Growth in 2006 was attributed to gains in tourism,construction, offshore and other services, and some sub-sectors of the bananaindustry. The International Monetary Fund recently praised the government ofDominica for its successful macroeconomic reforms.
9. St. Vincent and the GrenadinesUS$6,380 (GNI)
Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is themost important sector of St Vincent and the Grenadines_ lower-middle-incomeeconomy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, isalso becoming an important part of the economy.
10. Jamaica US$5,140 (GNI)
Jamaica has a mixed economy with both stateenterprises and private sector businesses. Major sectors of the Jamaicaneconomy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial andinsurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange.Half of the Jamaican economy is generated by income coming from services suchas tourism. An estimated 1.3 million foreign tourists visit Jamaica every year.
Note: The report did not givespecific gross national income information for Cuba, the Dominican Republic,Barbados or Haiti.
The full list with GNI in US dollars isas follows:
Bahamas US$21,280
Trinidad US$14,400
St. Kitts and Nevis US$13,330
Antigua and Barbuda US$12,640
Suriname US$8,480
Grenada US$7,110
St. Lucia US$6,530
Dominica US$6,460
St. Vincent and the Grenadines US$6,380
Jamaica US$5,140
Guyana US$3,410
