Reuters AlertNet Lite - Trinidad & Tobago

PEOPLE

Language
English is the official language. Hindi, Urdu, French and Spanish are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	1.3 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	1.3 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	1.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
1.3 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
The two main groups are those of African origin (43 percent) and Asian Indian origin (40 percent). Mestizos (people of mixed descent) make up 14 percent of the population. There are also small European and Chinese minorities.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Protestants comprise 30 percent of the population, Catholics 29 percent, Hindus 24 percent and Muslims 6 percent.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	12.9 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	12.5 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	12.2 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	11.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	11.6 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	11.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	11.1 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	10.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1946
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
93 (2007)
Source: UNESCO

Percentage of population under 15

2005	22.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	22.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	22.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	23.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	24.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	25.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT -4

Climate description
Tropical, rainfall spread throughout the year; drier season is January-May

Currency
Trinidad dollar

Telephone dialling code
(+) 868

Driving (left/right)
Left

STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy

2005	69.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	69.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	69.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	71.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	71.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	74.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	67.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	67.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	66.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	68.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	68.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	72.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	71.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	72.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	73.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	74.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	74.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	76.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	31 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	33 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	17 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	18 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	17 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	17 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	17 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	17 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	35 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	38 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	19 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	20 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	20 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	20 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	96 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	96 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	96 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	96 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	99 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	99 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality

2005	45 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	160 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	59	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	57	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	57	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	54	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	54	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	50	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	6 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	6 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	6 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	No data available percent
1995-2003	No data available percent
1995-2002	No data available percent
1995-2001	7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	No data available percent

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	10 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	10 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	11 percent	FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	94 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	91 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	91 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	90 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	92 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	100 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002	100 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	99 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average

2004	No data available percent
2003	95.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	98.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	98.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	93.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	No data available percent
2003	99.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	99.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	99.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	95.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	No data available percent
2003	97.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	97.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	97.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	92.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	231 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	231 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	246 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	245 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	245 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	244 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	244 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	240 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	245 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	1137 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	1137 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	1148 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	701 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	496 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	257 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	201 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	197 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	125 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	160 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	160 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	152 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	141 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	123 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	118 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	107 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	93 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	78 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	72 (joint)	Transparency International 2008
2007	79 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	79 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	59 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	51 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	43 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	33 (joint)	Transparency International
2001	31 (joint)	Transparency International
2000	Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

1990-2005	12.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	12.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	12.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	12.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001	12.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	14480 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	12870 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	10710 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	9290 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	7880 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	6590 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	5900 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	5170 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	20.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	19.1 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	15.1 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	13.2 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	11.3 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	9.0 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	8.8 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	8.2 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	12.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	8.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	8.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	14.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	8.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	4.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	6.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	3.9 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	12.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	8.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	8.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	10.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	-5.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	2.9 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	12.9 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.2 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
28.8 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

HEALTH

Physicians

2000-2004	No data available per 100,000 people
1990-2004	79 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	75 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002	79 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	1.4 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
No risk
Source: WHO

TB cases

2007	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	11 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here

2008	231	UNHCR
2007	211	UNHCR
2006	153	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	63	UNHCR
2004	41	UNHCR
2003	No data available
2002	No data available
2001	No data available
2000	No data available

Number of refugees residing here

2008	33	UNHCR
2007	22	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

	No data available

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2004	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	4.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	4.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002	4.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001	4.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	4.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	1.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	1.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	1.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	1.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	2.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003