Key Note:
Table 3: Government Expenditure by Function (COFOG) as a % of Total Expenditure (Detailed)
Using COFOG, the table reflects the percentage share of each outlay to the overall government expenditure (budget) in Saint Lucia over the period 2017–2025. The distribution reveals a clear concentration of spending in a few key functional areas, reflecting the country’s fiscal priorities and development needs.
The most striking feature of the table is the dominance of Financial and Fiscal Affairs, which accounts for 32.2% of total expenditure on average over the 8 year period. This category, which falls under General Public Services, includes debt servicing, fiscal administration, and financial management. Its large share suggests that a significant portion of government resources is devoted to meeting debt obligations and maintaining macroeconomic stability. This can limit fiscal space for other developmental sectors, a common challenge for small island developing states.
Among the social sectors, health and education emerge as major priorities. General Hospital Services (5.2%) and Health n.e.c. (Administration) (3.0%) together indicate a strong commitment to healthcare delivery and system management. This reflects the government’s role in ensuring access to medical services and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Similarly, education-related expenditure is substantial, with Secondary Education (4.9%) and Pre-primary and Primary Education (4.3%) combining to account for over 9% of total spending. This consistent investment highlights the importance placed on human capital development, workforce readiness, and long-term economic growth.
In terms of economic development, Road Transport (5.5%) and Construction (3.0%) represent key infrastructure investments. These expenditures support connectivity, trade, and overall economic activity, particularly in a tourism-dependent economy like Saint Lucia. Improved road networks and construction projects also contribute to job creation and national development.
Spending on Police Services (5.0%) underscores the importance of public order and safety. The relatively high allocation reflects ongoing efforts to maintain security, reduce crime, and strengthen the justice system—critical factors for both citizen well-being and investor confidence.
Other notable areas include Community Development (3.3%) and Agriculture (1.9%). Community development spending suggests efforts to improve local livelihoods and social conditions, while investment in agriculture, though smaller, remains important for food security and rural development.
| Top Contributors to the Budget Expenditure on average (2017-2025): | % | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Financial & Fiscal Affairs | 32.2% |
| 2 | General Hospital Services | 5.2% |
| 3 | Road Transport | 5.5% |
| 4 | Police Services | 5.0% |
| 5 | Secondary Education | 4.9% |
| 6 | Pre-primary & Primary Education | 4.3% |
| 7 | Community Development | 3.3% |
| 8 | Construction | 3.0% |
| 9 | Health n.e.c. (Administration) | 3.0% |
| 10 | Agriculture | 1.9% |
| Central Government Expenditure by function (COFOG) for St. Lucia, 2017/2018 - 2024/2025 (% of Total Expenditure) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COFOG Code | Category Function | Actual Expenditure 17/18 | Actual Expenditure 18/19 | Actual Expenditure 19/20 | Actual Expenditure 20/21 | Actual Expenditure 21/22 | Actual Expenditure 22/23 | Estimate Expenditure 23/24 | Estimate Expenditure 24/25 |
| 70112 | Financial & Fiscal Affairs | 34.8% | 35.1% | 33.2% | 29.7% | 30.9% | 32.6% | 30.3% | 30.8% |
| 70731 | General Hospital Services | 5.4% | 5.1% | 5.2% | 5.9% | 5.3% | 5.5% | 4.3% | 4.7% |
| 70920 | Secondary Education | 5.0% | 5.0% | 4.9% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.3% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| 70310 | Police Services | 5.0% | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| 70451 | Road Transport | 4.6% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 6.6% | 6.1% | 5.6% | 7.0% | 4.9% |
| 70910 | Pre-Primary & Primary Education | 4.5% | 4.6% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% |
| 70620 | Community Development | 4.3% | 3.0% | 2.2% | 2.8% | 3.3% | 2.9% | 4.1% | 3.7% |
| 70421 | Agriculture | 3.1% | 2.7% | 2.0% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| 70473 | Tourism | 2.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| 70760 | Health N.E.C. | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 3.1% | 3.2% | 3.5% |
| 70443 | Construction | 2.2% | 2.6% | 2.2% | 4.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% | 2.0% | 1.7% |
| 70113 | External Affairs | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 2.0% | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| 70330 | Law Courts | 1.7% | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| 70320 | Fire Protection Services | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.7% |
| 70610 | Housing Development | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 1.2% |
| 70133 | Other General Services | 1.5% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.5% | 2.1% |
| 70131 | General Personnel Services | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 2.2% | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| 70111 | Executive & Legislative Organs | 1.2% | 2.0% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.5% | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| 71090 | Social Protection N.E.C. | 1.2% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 1.7% |
| 70474 | Multi-Purpose Development Projects | 1.2% | 1.5% | 3.2% | 3.7% | 1.8% | 2.6% | 3.3% | 5.5% |
| 70820 | Cultural Services | 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.6% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| 70940 | Tertiary Education | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| 70980 | Education Nec | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| 70340 | Prisons | 1.0% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| 70411 | General Economic & Commercial Affairs | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| 70630 | Water Supply | 0.7% | 0.6% | 2.0% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| 70560 | Environmental Protection N.E.C. | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1.3% | 3.5% | 3.8% | 2.3% | 1.1% | 1.5% |
| 70435 | Electricity | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| 70740 | Public Health Services | 0.6% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| 70732 | Specialized Hospital Services | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.9% | 0.8% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| 70132 | Overall Planning & Statistical Services | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| 70950 | Education Not Definable by Level | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| 70810 | Recreational & Sporting Services | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.7% |
| 70360 | Public Order & Safety N.E.C. | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| 70412 | General Labor Affairs | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| 70540 | Protection Of Biodiversity & Landscape | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| 70490 | Economic Affairs N.E.C. | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 2.2% | 0.1% | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| 70422 | Forestry | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| 70423 | Fishing & Hunting | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| 71070 | Social Exclusion N.E.C. | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| 71020 | Old Age | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| 70454 | Air Transport | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 71040 | Family & Children | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| 70830 | Broadcasting & Publishing Services | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| 70160 | General Public Services N.E.C. | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| 70930 | Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.9% |
| 70460 | Communication | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Source: Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia, National Accounts, 3/6/26 |