Across Grenada, communities face challenges like coastal
flooding, housing pressure, low incomes, and climate
threats to farming and fishing. Building resilience and
securing local food systems are national priorities.
St. George, the largest parish in Grenada with a population of 38,249 as of 2011, serves as the economic and administrative heart of the country. Hosting the capital city, St. George's, it is a central hub for public administration, finance, and tourism. Despite its economic vibrancy, St. George faces pronounced income inequality. The parish enjoys better access to utilities such as electricity, water, and the internet than other areas, though urban housing pressures have led to overcrowding and rising property costs, pushing some residents toward suburban areas.
This urban exodus has led to a 12.67% population decline in the town of St. George, indicating significant suburbanization trends. Vulnerable to coastal flooding, hurricanes, and storm surges, St. George's urban food supply chains are highly dependent on imports, making them susceptible to global food price fluctuations.
The limited arable land complicates local food production, emphasizing the need for strong food security policies. The convergence of economic activities in flood-prone areas necessitates robust urban planning and resilient infrastructure to safeguard against climate impacts and enhance local food production capabilities.
National-level data from INFORM Risk 2025 indicates Grenada's high exposure to cyclones and vulnerabilities in infrastructure, which are particularly relevant for St. George given its economic concentration in coastal areas. Enhancing local food production and infrastructure resilience is crucial.
St. Andrew, the second-largest parish with a population of 26,501, is primarily driven by agriculture and fishing, sectors that place it at the heart of Grenada's food production despite one of the lowest average household incomes in the country. This economic vulnerability is compounded by housing and infrastructure challenges, with large rural communities having less access to modern infrastructure, making homes more susceptible to climate-related damage.
The parish's agriculture is threatened by droughts and erratic rainfall, which jeopardize staple crops such as bananas and nutmeg. The local fishing communities face risks from declining marine biodiversity, highlighting the need for agricultural diversification and improved irrigation systems to bolster food security and economic resilience.
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The INFORM Risk 2025 highlights moderate national vulnerabilities and coping capacities, suggesting areas like St. Andrew would benefit from bolstered infrastructure and healthcare to mitigate and manage climate risks effectively.
As the smallest mainland parish with a population of 12,877, St. David's economy relies heavily on agriculture, complemented by some eco-tourism potential. The parish experiences high levels of rural poverty and is challenged by a lack of proper road infrastructure, which hinders economic growth and access to markets. Vulnerable to hurricane damage and landslides, St. David also struggles with limited water storage infrastructure, impacting crop resilience during dry seasons.
This necessitates increased investments in sustainable farming practices and infrastructure development to improve food security and economic conditions in the parish. Nationally, Grenada's high exposure to cyclones and vulnerability in infrastructure, as indicated by INFORM Risk 2025, underscores the need for St. David to focus on sustainable farming practices and infrastructure improvements to enhance resilience against environmental threats.
St. John, with a population of 8,469, has seen a 9.67% decline due to migration, reflecting broader economic and environmental challenges. The local economy, based on fishing and small-scale farming, struggles with high unemployment and lower-than-average education levels. St. John's coastal areas are highly exposed to storm surges and coastal erosion, which, combined with declining fish stocks due to ocean acidification, threaten both food security and livelihoods.
The parish’s poor road infrastructure further limits market access for agricultural goods, necessitating marine conservation programs and alternative livelihood opportunities to enhance community resilience.
The national-level data from INFORM Risk 2025 highlighting Grenada's vulnerabilities and lack of coping capacities are critical for St. John, suggesting a need for enhanced marine conservation programs and infrastructure development to support its predominantly coastal communities.
St. Mark, the smallest parish in Grenada with 4,408 residents, is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly nutmeg farming. The parish faces challenges from deforestation and land degradation, which reduces soil productivity and increases vulnerability to hurricanes. These environmental issues, combined with low household incomes and limited employment opportunities, lead to significant food insecurity. St. Mark requires investment in climate-resilient crops and water conservation techniques to improve food security and adapt to increasing climate risks. Reflecting on Grenada’s overall high vulnerability and exposure to natural hazards as per INFORM Risk 2025, it is evident that St. Mark requires diversified livelihood strategies and enhanced climate-resilient agricultural practices to secure its economic and food stability.
St. Patrick, with a declining population of 10,504, is economically driven by subsistence agriculture and small-scale fishing, sectors that are highly vulnerable to environmental challenges. The parish suffers from soil erosion and unpredictable rainfall, which threaten agricultural productivity, while hurricane impacts and saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels disrupt local food supply and freshwater resources. Investments in sustainable water management and agricultural extension services are crucial to enhancing food security and economic resilience in St. Patrick. Given the national data from INFORM Risk 2025, which shows significant challenges in coping capacities and infrastructure vulnerability, St. Patrick must prioritize sustainable water management and agricultural extension services to bolster its resilience against climate risks.
The State of Grenada consists of three islands- Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique which form the southern end of the Windward Islands.
Phone +1 (473) 440-2255