Saint-Martin in 2025: the figures behind a mixed economic picture

The 2025 review shows contrasting trends across different sectors. It should be borne in mind, however, that this report measures the figures without explaining the reasons behind them. Its findings therefore do not, on their own, allow us to conclude that there has been a general improvement in the economy or a deterioration in living standards. It indicates a trend.

On the rise: transport and tax revenue 

Air traffic, with 7,046 flights (+9 per cent) and 214,125 passengers recorded, is up by 3 per cent. Monthly passenger numbers peaked at 26,850 in August, compared with 13,016 in September.  By way of comparison, traffic at Princess Juliana Airport totalled 174,937 passengers (+19 per cent) and 964 flights (+23 per cent) over the same period. Maritime activity is following the same trend. The port of Saint Martin recorded 2,676 port calls (+10 per cent) and 386,702 tonnes of cargo handled (+8 per cent).
Public finances are also showing signs of improvement – which is good news – with €140 million in tax revenue collected in 2025, representing a 3 per cent increase compared with 2024, thanks in particular to licences and business permits (+23 per cent), the tax on insurance policies (+21 per cent), the TGCA (+10 per cent), transfer and registration duties (+9 per cent), as well as income tax and property taxes (+6 per cent). Conversely, corporation tax revenue is down by 7 per cent, and the departure tax has fallen by 14 per cent, as has the tax on petroleum products (-14 per cent), which is also being abolished this year.

Employment is rising, whilst unemployment remains stable

At the end of December 2025, Saint Martin had 5,083 jobseekers, a figure that remained stable year-on-year.
As for private-sector employment, in the fourth quarter, the territory had 8,116 employees, representing a 5 per cent increase year-on-year (7,700 at the end of 2024). After reaching 8,020 employees in the first quarter, the workforce fell to 7,069 in the third quarter, before rising again towards the end of the year. The number of employing establishments also increased by 3 per cent, rising from 1,473 to 1,515. The year 2025 also saw 1,447 new businesses established, a 12 per cent increase compared with 2024. At the same time, 1,049 business failures were recorded, a 52 per cent decrease.

Declines: education, benefits and vehicle registrations 

According to the CAF, Saint Martin had 7,929 households receiving benefits in 2025, a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent year-on-year. The number of benefit recipients stood at 18,560, down by 1.1 per cent.
In state education, 6,747 pupils were enrolled in 2025, 3 per cent fewer than in 2024. Primary schools had the largest pupil numbers, with 2,078 pupils (31 per cent), followed by lower secondary schools with 1,905 pupils (28 per cent) and nursery schools with 1,153 pupils (17 per cent). Upper secondary schools had 1,611 pupils, divided between vocational education (815 pupils, or 12 per cent) and general and technological education (796 pupils, or 12 per cent).
As regards vehicle registrations, 3,294 vehicles were registered in 2025, representing a 7 per cent fall. In the town planning sector, 126 applications for planning permission were submitted, down 11 per cent on the previous year.

Different trends: energy, demographics and health

EDF’s data show electricity generation of 231,606 MWh in 2025, down by 3 per cent. Conversely, water production, according to SAUR, reached 2,198,066 m³, an increase of 7 per cent.
In terms of demographics, the Collectivité’s civil registry data recorded 434 births in 2025 (-4 per cent) and 144 deaths (-14 per cent) compared with 2024.
In the health sector, the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital recorded 40,072 hospital admissions, a fall of 6.5 per cent. By contrast, the number of medical evacuations rose by 16 per cent, reaching 1,049 over the year.
These figures will be supported by the IEDEOM, which on Thursday presented the key highlights of 2025, as well as the economic outlook for 2026 and the prospects for 2027 for Saint Martin. Watch this space in our next edition.

Source: ITSEE – Economic and Social Report ‘2025 Saint Martin in Figures’.