Which Caribbean Country Makes the Most Money?

The Cayman Islands

Renowned for being one of the largest offshore financial paradises, the Cayman Islands attracts massive amounts of foreign investment. The Caribbean island is home to people from more than 100 nationalities and cultures.

Consisting of around 64,000 people, this British Overseas Territory is the second richest in terms of per capita income. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman are the most popular areas in the region and are famous for their scuba diving, snorkeling sites, and luxury resorts. The region has its currency, the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), which stands at US dollar US$1.227 to 1 KYD.

Since the country levies no income tax, capital gains tax, or corporation tax, the largest number of offshore companies in the Caribbean region are registered under its jurisdiction.

The US Virgin Islands (USVI)

The main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas, and other small islands make up the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The region is well known for its white sand beaches, pristine natural beauty, and warm and welcoming population. Owing to all these factors, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) attracts around 2.5 million tourists per year and tourism accounts for the rise in the GDP of the territory. In addition to the tourism industry, trade & commerce and other service-specific jobs are predominant in the area.

Since the Virgin Islands is an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States, residents of the island are also qualified as US citizens.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Known as the Virgin Islands, this British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean has a population of around 30,000. It comprises the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and more than 50 minor islands.

The islands have a thriving tourism industry, making up 45% of the region’s national income. The region is also one of the top-performing Caribbean nations in the offshore financial services industry. The residents of the region are British Overseas Territories citizens. Since 2002, they have also been qualified as British citizens. The British Virgin Islands is also a member of CARICOM.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas consists of around 16 major islands and is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. Owing to its significant tourist and finance sector, this island country is one of the richest Caribbean islands, with a GDP of $12bn against a population of 400,000 people.

The country is a tax haven for residents as it has no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax. In addition to tourism, offshore international financial services and the banking sector account for a significant percentage of the GDP.

Anguilla

Anguilla is a self-governing UK overseas territory consisting of the main island and other offshore islets. The region is famous for its beautiful coral reefs, charming beaches, and tropical forests, attracting tourists worldwide. Anguilla is tax-friendly as it has no capital gains, estate, profit, sales, or corporate taxes. Tourism, offshore company incorporation and management, offshore banking, captive insurance, and fishing are the primary industries of Anguilla.

Although the US dollar is widely accepted and used in the region, Anguilla also has its currency, the East Caribbean dollar.

St Martin

World famous for its luxurious beach resorts, remote coves, delectable cuisine, and exciting nightlife, St Martin in the Caribbean islands consists of two different territories- Saint Martin (French part) and Sint Maarten (Dutch part).

The island attracts over one million visitors every year due to its natural beauty and excellent infrastructure. The island’s economy depends heavily on tourism, as over half the population is attached to the tourist industry.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea, this country is famous for its mountains, picturesque beaches, tropical forests, and former sugar production plantations. After the sugarcane industry’s downfall, this nation primarily depends on tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing to yield the maximum income.

St Kitts and Nevis is a member country of CARICOM, OECS, and OAS. If you are looking to obtain citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis, you can apply for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, which successfully attracts wealthy investors and foreign direct investment. All these factors make St Kitts and Nevis one of the richest Caribbean islands.

Barbados

Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island that is famous for its picturesque beaches, botanical gardens, colonial buildings, and rich culture. This island country is home to around 300,000 people and a GDP of $5.3 billion.

The island nation has a dynamic economy, and the tourism industry dominates most of it. Nearly 40% of tourists that visit the island are from the United Kingdom, followed by the US and Canada.

Antigua and Barbuda

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea, Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful island with over 96,000 people. Like the other countries in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda has a thriving economy that is heavily dependent on the tourism industry.

By investing in real estate in the country or contributing through government donations, foreign investors can apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program. The Antigua and Barbuda passport allows visa-free travel to over 140 countries in the world. 

In addition to this, the country also provides tax freedoms to residents. For instance, the country has no income tax on worldwide income. As per the World Bank, the GDP per capita of Antigua and Barbuda is $14,900.

St Lucia

Be it picturesque landscapes, charming white sand beaches, a warm and tropical climate, or a thriving economy, St Lucia has it all. The country has a growing tourism industry and offers a relaxed island lifestyle. The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program of St Lucia also has many benefits.

For example, you can include your family members in your citizenship application and visit 140+ countries without a visa. Moreover, as a St Lucia resident, you are not required to pay any capital, wealth, or inheritance tax in the country.