Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelagic state in the Eastern Caribbean that gained international attention in 2021 when the La Soufrière volcano — dormant since 1979 — erupted explosively, forcing the evacuation of approximately 20,000 people from the northern part of Saint Vincent. This volcanic event, which caused significant damage to agricultural land and displaced a substantial portion of the population, highlighted the intersection of natural hazard risk, climate vulnerability, and migration governance that characterizes many Caribbean island states.

The eruption began in April 2021 and continued for weeks, blanketing much of the island in volcanic ash, destroying crops and livelihoods, and making parts of the northern Red Zone uninhabitable. The evacuation required coordination with neighbouring islands — Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and others — who temporarily hosted Vincentian evacuees. Some evacuees chose not to return, adding to the existing diaspora through what may become permanent displacement.

Migration History and Diaspora

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has historically experienced significant emigration. Vincentian communities in the UK, the United States, Canada, and other Caribbean territories reflect the long tradition of migration as an economic and social strategy for families on an island with limited domestic employment opportunities. Agriculture — particularly banana production — has declined significantly since preferential trade arrangements with the EU ended, removing a major source of rural employment and accelerating emigration.

Within the islands, internal migration from the smaller Grenadine islands — Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, Canouan, and others — to Saint Vincent, or from Saint Vincent to abroad, reflects the characteristic mobility of small island populations. The Grenadines themselves attract tourism investment and wealthy second-home owners, creating a labour market for construction and hospitality workers from Saint Vincent and other islands.

CARICOM Free Movement

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines participates in CARICOM free movement arrangements, allowing nationals with recognized skills and qualifications to work across member states without work permits. This arrangement provides Vincentians with legal pathways to work in larger Caribbean economies, while also attracting workers from other CARICOM states to the tourism sector in the Grenadines.

Key Statistics