St. Helena--Economy

CIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1993: Saint Helena Economy

Overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas.

National product: GDP $NA

National product real growth rate: NA%

National product per capita: $NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1986)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $3.2 million; expenditures $2.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1984)

Exports: $23,900 (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts partners: South Africa, UK Imports: $2.4 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts partners: UK, South Africa

External debt: $NA

Industrial production: growth rate NA%

Electricity: 9,800 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 1,390 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing

Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being developed; crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha

Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $198 million

Currency: 1 Saint Helenian pound (#S)=100 pence

Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March