World Factbook
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three vertical bands of blue (left side), gold (double-width), and green; the gold band has three green diamonds arranged in a "V" pattern that stands for "Vincent" meaning: the diamonds represent the islands as "the Gems of the Antilles" and are set slightly lowered in the gold band to reflect the country's position in the Antilles; blue stands for the tropical sky and sea, yellow for the sand, and green for vegetation
Capital
name
Kingstown
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 08 N, 61 13 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
previous 1969, 1975; latest drafted 26 July 1979, effective 27 October 1979 (The Saint Vincent Constitution Order 1979)
amendment process
proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections on fundamental rights and freedoms, citizen protections, various government functions and authorities, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum of at least two thirds of the votes cast, and assent of the governor general
Country name
etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island after Saint VINCENT of Saragossa because 22 January 1498, the day of discovery, was the saint's feast day
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Independence
27 October 1979 (from the UK)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Stanley JOHN (since 6 January 2026)
head of government
Prime Minister Godwin FRIDAY (since 28 November 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by governor general on the advice of the prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
National color(s)
blue, gold, green
Political parties
New Democratic Party or NDP SVG Green Party or SVGP Unity Labor Party or ULP (formed in 1994 by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
22 (15 directly elected; 6 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
House of Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/27/2025
expected date of next election
November 2030
percentage of women in chamber
21.7%
parties elected and seats per party
United Labour Party (ULP) (9); New Democratic Party (NDP) (6)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
in use since 1745
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Saint Vincent parrot
Administrative divisions
6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 364-6736
chancery
1627 K Street, NW, Suite 704, Washington, DC 20006
telephone
[1] (202) 364-6730
chief of mission
Ambassador Lou-Anne Gaylene GILCHRIST (since 18 January 2017)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
mail@embsvg.com http://wa.embassy.gov.vc/washington/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction