Saint Martin Rate of Natural Increase

Saint Martin, a small island in the Caribbean divided between French and Dutch territories, exhibits a relatively low rate of natural increase (RNI) in its population growth compared to some of its neighboring countries. The RNI, which measures the difference between birth rates and death rates, is modest in Saint Martin, largely due to lower fertility rates and an aging population. In contrast, neighboring islands such as Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island), Saint Barthélemy, and Anguilla generally share similar demographic trends, with low or even negative RNIs, reflecting broader patterns in the Caribbean of declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. However, compared to larger Caribbean nations like the Dominican Republic or Haiti, which still maintain higher birth rates and thus higher RNIs, Saint Martin's population growth from natural increase is notably slower. Overall, while migration plays a significant role in shaping the population dynamics of Saint Martin and its neighbors, the natural increase component remains subdued relative to some of the more populous Caribbean countries.

Data from US Census International Database