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St. Kitts and Nevis is an independent federation within the British Commonwealth. While the central government
of St. Kitts/Nevis currently exercises at least nominal control over both islands, the process of separation
into two independent entities is well advanced.
The total population of St. Kitts/Nevis is slightly over 46,100 with 75% of that population on St. Kitts.
The island‘s population is fairly stable with a relatively low growth rate. The islands, and in particular Nevis,
attract migrant workers from the less wealthy Caribbean islands such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad,
Guyana, and Montserrat.
The tourist industry in St. Kitts/Nevis is not of major economic significance, particularly when compared to such
tourist dependent island economies as the British Virgin Islands and Antigua.
St. Kitts/Nevis has recently completed the WB/CDB sponsored solid waste disposal projects. These projects
have resulted in a much improved landfill system on both islands. In addition, both islands have set up semi
autonomous bodies to control their solid waste management systems.
The per capita waste generation rate for St Kitts is 2.08 kg/person/day. For Nevis the per capita rate is 1.52
kg/person/day. Both figures are at the upper end of the expected ranges for the Caribbean. The slightly higher
rate in St. Kitts may be due to the greater influence of long term tourism.
A country poverty assessment indicates that 16% of the households in each island can be below the poverty
line. In St. Kitts 35% of these households are considered to be in indigence. The Nevis figure for indigence is
53% of the households below the poverty line. The GINI coefficients for St. Kitts and Nevis are 0.445 and 0.370
respectively. The difference in GINI coefficients probably reflects a greater maldistribution of wealth on St. Kitts
despite the higher levels of indigence on Nevis.
Health care is apparently good but the average life expectancy is rather low at 69.8 years.
The illiteracy rate for those over 15 years averages 2.5% of the overall population. The figure is among the lowest
in the OECS countries. The low figure may be the result of easy access to schools and the predominance of
English as the main language on both islands.
The two islands operate virtually identical solid waste management systems under overall Central Government
control. Final disposal will be in secure landfills developed under the WB/CDB solid waste project. The new
landfills are only now coming into full operation.
Solid waste collection and disposal services cover essentially 100% of the population on both islands. Private
collection services account for approximately 75% of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) waste collection
services on St. Kitts. The remainder is probably handled in the public collection system.
No legal or regulatory framework exists to control solid waste disposal on either island. The draft legislation has
been prepared, but has not been passed by either Government.
Solid waste management strategic plans are in preparation on both islands.
The major strength of the system on both islands is the high degree of functionality.
The major weaknesses of the system on St. Kitts are a degree of underfunding and a lack of personnel trained
specifically in the solid waste management area. The underfunding apparently results from both a reduction
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COUNTRY ANALYTICAL REPORT ST. KITTS AND NEVIS 1
in Government subventions after 2000 and a lower yield from the environmental levy assessed departing
tourists. In addition, there has been a reduction in the SWMC budget as an apparent effort to reduce the
national deficit.
The major weaknesses of the system in Nevis are a lack of land to permit expansion of the landfill if required in
future and a lack of personnel trained in solid waste management. Finances do not appear to be a current
problem.
Continued underfunding in St. Kitts will eventually act as a limiting factor on the development of SWMC.
The lack of land in Nevis for landfill expansion is a possible limiting factor.
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