Disclaimer: This project was completed for a Macroeconomics class. While it was a group assignment, I was responsible for the site’s design and the majority of the content. Group members were credited appropriately for their contributions.
The capital of Sint Maarten is Phillipsburg (pictured in the header)
The capital of the U.S. is Washington, D.C. (pictured above)
The population of Sint Maarten is 43,923
The population of the U.S. is 347,275,000
The populations of New York State and New York City are 19,997,100 and 8,478,000 respectively
The United States clearly outnumbers Sint Maarten by a wide margin. Which means means the U.S. has far greater economic, political, and infrastructural capacity, while Sint Maarten operates on a much smaller, more limited scale
Sint Maarten's official currency is the Caribbean Guilder (XCG)
The U.S.'s official currency is the United States Dollar (USD)
The USD has more global purchasing power. Which means it is more stable and is widely used in international trade and finance. In contrast, the XCG is a much smaller currency that is used locally.
Real GDP (in USD)
The real GDP of Sint Maarten in 2023 was $1.63 billion, and was $1.74 billion in 2024
The real GDP of the U.S. in 2023 was $22.72 trillion, and was $23.36 trillion in 2024
GDP per capita (in constant USD)
The GDP per capita for Sint Maarten in 2023 was $38,078, and was $40,028 in 2024
The GDP per capita for the U.S. in 2023 was $65,505, and was $66,683 in 2024
There are several factors that impact Sint Maarten's economy. Some are:
Sint Maarten's economy is highly dependent on tourism
Has a very limited labor force (little domestic manufacturing)
Heavily dependent on imports for food, fuel, and materials (can suppress real GDP growth)
Annual (2024)
The inflation rate for Sint Maarten was +3.61%, and the inflation rate for the U.S. was +2.8%
Documented Year-Over-Year (Q4 Last Year - Q4 Next Year)
The inflation rate for Sint Maarten was +2.22%, and the inflation rate for the U.S. was +2.5%
The lower, more stable inflation rates signal a slow but steady increase in prices and a cost of living that is easier to forecast. On the other hand, the higher or more variable inflation rates imply a rapid price hike. Such a situation brings in doubt and it becomes more challenging to keep up with the real growth that is steady.
The rates for the U.S. show steady price growth and predictability. In contrast, Sint Maarten, which has higher and more volatile inflation, faces faster price increases. This leads to greater uncertainty in achieving stable economic conditions
The unemployment rate of Sint Maarten in 2023 was 8.6%, while it was 8% in 2024
The unemployment rate of the U.S. in 2023 was 3.6%, while it was 4% in 2024
Sint Maarten’s higher unemployment indicates slower or more fragile growth, limited job opportunities, and a greater risk of income inequality. In contrast, the U.S.’s low unemployment reflects stronger economic growth, more inclusive labor participation, and greater resilience to shocks
On the 0 - 1 scale, Sint Maarten's coefficient in 2022 was approximately 0.50. This indicates relatively high income inequality
For the U.S., the coefficient in 2024 was 0.456. This would indicate moderate-to-high income inequality
Cause for Sint Maarten's income inequality:
Most high-paying jobs are in hotels, restaurants, and resorts, while many locals work in low-wage service jobs
Limited domestic industries mean few opportunities outside tourism and government
Cause for the U.S.'s income inequality:
Highly skilled workers in the technology, finance, and professional sectors earn much more than low skilled workers
Also, outsourcing and global trade reduce wages for certain sectors
Capital gains and income is taxed with a lower rate as compared to earnings, which is advantageous for people with a higher income bracket
The life expectancy for men in Sint Maarten in 2024 was 73.7 years, while the life expectancy for women was 79.5 years
The life expectancy for men in the U.S. in 2024 was 75.8 years, while the life expectancy for women was 81.1 years
Cause for Sint Maarten's life expectancy:
Limited healthcare infrastructure on a small island can reduce access to specialized care and preventive services
Income inequality and poverty hampers access to nutrition, healthcare, or safe housing
Cause for the U.S.'s life expectancy:
Highly advanced medical technology and the widespread availability of healthcare have contributed to the life expectancy positively
Income, education, and race/ethnicity influence life expectancy in the U.S., where wealthier populations living longer
Obesity, diabetes, smoking, and substance abuse reduce average life expectancy
The air quality index for Sint Maarten (as last recorded) was 28, which is good air quality
The air quality index for the U.S. (as last recorded) was 42, which is still good–almost moderate
The AQI is based on a 1 - 500 scale, ranging from "Good" to "Hazardous"
Major Environmental Challenges
Sint Marteen is vulnerable to hurricanes (such as Hurricane Irma [2017], which caused massive infrastructure and property damage)
Low-lying areas, beaches, and ports are threatened due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, endangering tourism and real estate
Rising temperatures exacerbate heat stress, affect public health, and can influence energy demand
Impacts on GDP, Population, Inflation & Unemployment
Hurricanes and coastal damage destroy infrastructure and tourist facilities, temporarily lowering output
Damage to infrastructure and supply chains raises prices for imported goods, contributing to higher inflation
However, reconstruction may temporarily boost GDP
Environmental hazards can drive temporary migration, affect labor availability, and influence long-term settlement patterns–impacting population
Job losses occur when tourism, construction, or fisheries are disrupted
Recovery periods can temporarily reduce employment
Actions and Policy Initiatives for Environmental Resilience
To reduce erosion and protect tourism infrastructure, there are programs for ecosystem restoration and coastal protection
Climate resilience is incorporated into strategic development plans, which include risk assessments for new construction and infrastructure upgrades
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=SX
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SPDYNLE00INMAF
https://stats.sintmaartengov.org/tables.php?division=economy&topic=cpi&table= qrtlyInflation
* Information on the CO₂ emissions per capita for Sint Maarten was not available *