Trinidad and Tobago  

Despite a high level of foreign direct investment, equivalent to 8% of GDP, and a very strong domestic savings rate, equalling one-third of GDP, the amount of physical capital to which workers have access is relatively modest, ranking only 50th, globally. Unemployment at 7% and inflation at 8% rank Trinidad and Tobago 48th and 72nd, internationally, on these measures, raising questions over the stability of the economy. Average household expenditure is 23%, implying a small domestic market. In the credit sector, average lending and borrowing margins indicate a modest level of banking competition and efficiency. Ranking 85th globally, it would appear that Trinidad and Tobago has an overreliance on raw material exports, with concentration levels as high as 43%. Trinidad and Tobago has, however, very strong terms of trade with its partners, ranking the country 10th, worldwide, on this variable. No data concerning non-performing loans were available.

Trinidad and Tobago’s nine procedures required to start up a business are close to the international average, ranking 42nd according to this variable. However, value added in the service industry accounts for only 38% of GDP, placing the country in the bottom 10 according to this measure. With approximately 27 secure internet servers per one million capita, and roughly 17 personal computers available per 100 people, Trinidad and Tobago ranks solidly in the top 40 on both of these variables. However, the level of internet infrastructure as measured by bandwidth is minimal, ranking the country 78th, globally, on this variable. Both ICT and high-tech export levels are low, ranking Trinidad and Tobago 77th and 88th, respectively, and R&D expenditure is only 0.2% of GDP, ranking in the bottom 20 countries. No data were available concerning the registration of new businesses or royalty receipts.

Trinidad and Tobago is classified as a democracy, and citizens’ freedoms to participate in political processes are very high, as are their rights to freedom of expression and affiliation. The judiciary is not independent from the other branches of government, which could lead to interference in legal proceedings. However, political checks and balances, in place to prevent arbitrary actions by political actors, are reasonably effective, ranking the country 50th on this variable. The political system is characterised by high levels of competition between rival parties in elections to both executive and legislative positions in the government. In regards to the stability of the political system, Trinidad and Tobago ranks 26th according to this measure.

Enrolment rates at primary level are at 85%, ranking Trinidad and Tobago 85th, internationally, with regard to this variable. Although the percentage of secondary school age children enrolled is lower, at 76%, the country ranks higher, internationally, on this measure at 71st. A pupil to teacher ratio of 17 to one, ranks Trinidad and Tobago 30th and suggests a good quality of instruction, and with 101 girls enrolled for every 100 boys, gender equality in education has been achieved. The average worker benefits from 5.5 years of secondary education, a moderately high number, placing the country 27th on this variable, boosting labour productivity. Levels of average tertiary schooling per worker are much lower, ranking the country 88th, and enrolment at this level is only 11%. Educational expenditure is close to the international average, ranking Trinidad and Tobago 39th, globally.

Health-adjusted life expectancy in Trinidad and Tobago is 62 years, infant mortality rates are relatively low at 3.2%, nine out of 10 individuals have access to improved sanitation facilities, and 10% of the population is undernourished. In Trinidad, 26 hospital beds are available per 10,000 citizens, ranking the country 47th on this variable. An average three-quarters of respondents claimed to be satisfied with the quality of their water supply, ranking the country 50th, internationally, while 82% were satisfied with their state of health, ranking 54th on this variable.* Two out of 10 citizens claim to have debilitating health problems and only 23% of the population experienced pain the day before being surveyed, ranking Trinidad and Tobago in the top third on both of variables.* However, a very low proportion of people felt well rested, ranking the country 78th globally.* No data were available concerning the number of doctors and nurses per capita.

Trinidad and Tobago’s high homicide rate of 16 deaths per 100,000 people ranks the country 86th on this variable. With just under one-quarter of respondents having had their property stolen and 9% having been assaulted, the country ranks 94th and 72nd, respectively, according to these variables, and as such, it is not surprising that only 45% of people feel safe walking alone at night.* Trinidad and Tobago have security challenges on the national front relating to the movement of refugees, targeted violence towards groups with a history of discrimination, and alleged government-sponsored imprisonment and torture of opponents, although the country ranks within the top 50 in the index on each of these variables. Human flight of the educated middle class, by contrast, is amongst the worst in the international community, ranking in the bottom quarter of Index. There were no casualties in 2008 due to civil war in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the law is sometimes enforced arbitrarily, ranking the country 58th on this variable. Regulation of the economy and commerce is better, ranking 36th, internationally, and the Trinidadian civil service is moderately effective when carrying out the objectives of the government, ranking 42nd, internationally, according to this variable. Political participation is free and fair, and the citizens have the right to choose the laws and leaders that govern them. Despite this, confidence in the honesty of elections is a low 29% while the approval rates of the judiciary system are only 28%.* Perception of widespread corruption in the government and local businesses is also very high at 94%.* However, 65% of the population indicate lack of confidence in the military, which is a very high figure compared to other countries worldwide.*

Trinidadians benefit from unlimited freedoms of speech, movement, and religion, and 84% of the population feel satisfied with their freedom to choose what to do with their daily lives.* Levels of tolerance are around the international average, with 65% believing that the country is a good place for ethnic minorities to live, and 67% believing the same for immigrants, ranking 56th and 49th, respectively, on these variables.*

Most citizens in Trinidad and Tobago believe that friends are only moderately important, yet 87% believe that they can rely on family and friends in times of need, just above the international average.* Charity and kindness are very high priorities in Trinidad and Tobago, with a very high 62% reporting having helped strangers in the past month, over one-quarter of citizens volunteering their time, and 47% donating money, all of which rank Trinidad and Tobago within the top 30.* Group membership is also high, ranking the country in the top 10 for religious institutions and art club memberships, and in the top 20 for sports club membership. However, generalised trust levels in others are exceedingly low, with only 4% reporting to have trust in other people, the lowest rate, worldwide. On the measures of religiosity, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago rank 49th, just above the international average, indicating the existence of religious networks upon which people can rely.

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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