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The Institut d'émissions des départements d'Outre-mer (IEDOM) presented its new report on the island's economic health to the Chambre Économique Multiprofessionnelle (Cem) on Wednesday November 5. Tourism is more important than ever, with 312,000 visitors expected in 2024.
The equivalent of the population of the city of Montpellier. 312,793 people visited Saint Barth in 2024, representing a 6.8% increase in tourist numbers in one year. A new record, according to the report on the island's economy in 2024, produced by the Institut d'émissions des départements d'Outre-mer (Iedom) and presented this Wednesday, November 5 at the Chambre Économique Multiprofessionnelle (Cem).
More than half of these tourists come from the United States (55.9%). Next come residents of France (15.9%), the rest of Europe (12.6%) and America outside the USA (10%). Their visit generated 15.8 million euros in tourist tax for the Collectivité. Air travel remains the preferred mode of transport for arriving on the island. 203,592 travelers passed through the airport in 2024. At the same time, the accommodation and catering sector saw its workforce grow by 8.3%. This represents 2,317 employees and 33.6% of total employment in 2024.
A real estate market under pressure
The Iedom report also looks at the construction and real estate sectors. The former accounts for 1/5 of salaried employment. This is the largest share after accommodation and catering. The report notes that cement consumption on the island is down 20.9%. Several projects were completed in 2024: the renovation of the Quai de la République in Gustavia, the Saint-Jean fire station, and the installation of a new water production unit in early 2025. On the real estate front, the picture is less rosy. Supply is insufficient to meet demand.
Dynamic banking activity
Banking activity is considered dynamic. Growth in financial assets is accelerating, with outstandings up 13.5% to 1,544 million. Liquid investments increased by 31.3%. Loans to households rose by 2.1%, despite a slowdown in housing and consumer credit.
Recruitment difficulties in the retail sector
The final point on the balance sheet: the labor market, "structured with persistent labor needs. "6,886 employees work in the private sector, an increase of 13.6%. The evolution of this payroll represents 229.6 million euros. The unemployment rate is stable at 1.9%. Some sectors are experiencing recruitment difficulties. Commerce is the most affected, with 60% of projects affected.
The Iedom report includes a section on the economic situation at the end of 2025. The results are still provisional, but give an idea of the trend in economic activity. Once again, the figures are record-breaking, with air traffic up 18.6% at the end of September compared with the same period in 2024. Maritime traffic, meanwhile, is up +35.4%, thanks in particular to growing trade with Saint-Martin. The institute concludes with advice on the trajectory the island should follow in 2026: "Continue to modernize infrastructures in order to maintain its attractiveness. "
