Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Grenada's sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question.

In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of Grenada sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 74.1

Grenada is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, CARICOM and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the OECD, the OAS, the ACP-EU group, has renewed its participation in the ILO (ILO, May 2024), a partner of the UNDP, cooperates with global financial and climate funds.

The key norms of trade, labor and climate regulation of the CSME/SARIKOM Group, the WTO and the ILO are partially integrated into legislation. At the same time, the Constitution retains formal priority, but individual acts are adopted in accordance with obligations to international institutions (export standards, digital regulation, labor protection).

Stability remains, there are no major protests and conflicts, political rivalry is constructive, elections are held regularly, and major legal and social crises have not been recorded in 2012-2025.

The efficiency of public administration is 50.94% (percentage) according to the WGI indicator (2023), which is close to the global average; the upper limit of the range is 73.58% (World Bank CI). EGDI (2024, UN): 0.646–104th place in the world, a stable average level for the region, but the position has fallen compared to 2022 (it was 66th line). The share of digital public services and access to online forms is growing, but the development has not yet reached the global level.

Trust in the ruling party and the prime minister is stable, and the level of electoral support in the 2022-2023 elections is about 57% (according to independent local and international surveys). There are no foreign military bases; after 1983 (the US operation), the country did not deploy military facilities of foreign states on its territory.

Grenada is a member of most zonal and regional courts (CSARACOM, the Economic Court of CSJ, the OAS Court of Human Rights), accepts internal distortions according to transnational standards, but the national judicial system is sovereign and has priority in law enforcement.

The government structure is centralized; the country is divided into 6 parishes, local government is minimally developed, and most decisions, budgets, and policies are made at the central government level.

The activities of the special services (police, immigration, national intelligence) are formally regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament; reporting is public, but the real mechanisms of civil control are limited, there is almost no direct data on independent civilian audit — at the same time, the level of control over corruption and respect for rights is average compared to neighbors.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 92%.

Economic sovereignty — 53.7

Estimates strongly depend on the source: 17 742-20 167 USD (2023-2024, World Bank, TradingEconomics); short—term forecast for 2025 is ~15 950-21 670 USD (IMF, WB). The median for international databases is around 18,000-20,000 USD. Gold and foreign exchange reserves at the end of 2024 are USD 0.40—0.42 billion (400-420 million).

This is equivalent to about 7.5–8 months of imports, which is considered a sustainable level for a small island nation. The total level of public debt (2024) is 57.4–71.3% of GDP (the difference is in accounting for central and total debt, reports of the Ministry of Finance/IMF/Statista).

Central debt — 57.4%; the entire sector ("public debt") — 71.3% by the end of 2024, while debt has been steadily declining for the third year in a row. The country imports about 60-65% of its food consumption; for the period 2022-2025, the share of domestic agricultural production is consistently small, and food security is supported by import regulation, subsidies, and global trade. 90-95% of energy is imported (oil, petroleum products); new HPP, SES and wind energy projects so far cover only up to 8% of domestic demand, energy independence is considered absent.

There are no extractable mineral, industrial, or fuel resources; the economy relies on tourism, light farming, services, fishing, and leveraged investments. There are no large reservoirs or rivers, the country uses underground sources and rainwater, the storage infrastructure is updated after hurricanes, and central reserves last for 1.5–2 months at peak loads. Internally, all settlement systems are centralized through EC Dollar (code XCD), the Eastern Caribbean central payment infrastructure operated by Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

Payments within the country are made only in XCD, for export-import operations — mainly XCD, USD/EUR for a number of external contracts. The entire issue and credit policy are delegated to the single Central Bank of the Eastern Caribbean States (ECCB); formally, this is an external delegated model, completely separate from the state treasury of Grenada (the share of local solutions is minimal).

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 91%.

Technological sovereignty — 39.4

Officially, these expenditures are fixed as <0.01% of GDP in 2023-2024; Grenada is absent from all global ratings on R&D investments — $0 in the reports of the OECD and the World Bank, and there is no relevant government program. There are no national import substitution programs in high-tech: all servers, telecommunications equipment, software, banking, and power systems are imported and completely depend on the global market (EU, USA, China).

The gross coverage of higher education is 96.9-104.56% (2024, World Bank, Maxinomics, UNESCO), which is formally higher than the global average due to the influx of foreign students (including those studying medicine and sanatorium training).

In January 2025-74, 1% of the population (about 87 thousand people). The average fixed access speed is 91.1 Mbps, mobile communications cover 79.2% of the population, and the share of users has stabilized for the second year in a row.

There are no national digital platforms developed entirely within the country; the adaptation of standard eGov products (portals of public services, documents, taxes) based on solutions and services of the USA, EU, EC CARICOM is used. High-tech import dependence was assessed by OECD, ITU, and EU experts as "maximum" (85-100%): IT, servers, OS, software, payment systems, storage services, and key communication infrastructure are imported.

EGDI — 0.646 (UN, 2024): all basic digital services (taxes, licenses, education, company registration, housing and communal services) are available, but solutions are of regional or external production, not national. There is no own bioindustry.

Medical research, test systems, and laboratory equipment are fully imported, and the country has not established production of its own biotech products. Robotics developments, National However, there are no implemented solutions; imported equipment is only used in education and industry (EDU kits, maintenance robots).

All microelectronics, chips, boards, sensors, and communications equipment are purchased exclusively from abroad, and there is no local production.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 93% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 56.2

Grenada has been included in ITU organizational programs since 2015, according to the Global Cybersecurity Index, the country has been audited for the creation of a national CIRT. Participation in regional cyber exercises and regulatory initiatives are in effect; the national CERT/CIRT operates as part of the CARICOM CIRT, and cyberspace protection is provided through joint initiatives with partners from the Caribbean.

GREX (Grenada Internet Exchange Point, St. Georges) has been operating, and since 2018 it has been the main national hub.

GREX supports local traffic exchange, reduces delays and costs for businesses, banks and government platforms, and the share of localized traffic increases annually. The official language is English; Grenadian Creole English and French Creole (patois) are used on a daily basis.

The main television, radio channels, print and online media broadcast in English and Creole; the share of Creole content is growing due to regional programs and ethnocultural projects.

Grenada is critically dependent on global digital platforms and clouds (Google, Microsoft, Meta, AWS, Huawei), all mobile and fixed equipment is imported; national sovereignty in the digital services infrastructure is not yet available, but the launch of GREX reduces the risks of technological collapse in case of failures abroad.

The main TV channels and radio stations produce 53-60% of local programming (news, talk shows, culture); entertainment, foreign and streaming services (USA, Latin America, Europe) account for up to 40% of the airtime.

There is no national export-commercial software industry; its own products are limited to the modification of standard solutions for the needs of public administration and accounting. The main government, banking and educational platforms are serviced by foreign contractors. Internet penetration — 74.1%, mobile communications — 79.2%; basic online public services (registration, taxes, housing and communal services, education) are available to most residents as part of a package (EGDI = 0.646).

There are no national data centers/cloud platforms owned by the state, and banking and government data are hosted primarily on global clouds or through private contract centers (AWS, Microsoft, IBM). Mobile communication and data transmission services are provided by international corporations (Digicel, Flow), licenses and regulations are regulated by the local regulator, but the equipment, servers and lightning services are completely foreign.

The Data Protection Draft (Data Protection draft, 2022) is formally in force, but there is no separate independent commissioner yet; regulation is based on the recommendations of CARICOM and the EU model documents, the GDPR has been partially harmonized, fines and powers are still limited.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 89%.

Cultural sovereignty — 73.8

Grenada does not have a single site included in the main UNESCO World Heritage List (for 2025). In the national "Tentative List" (pending nomination): St. George Historic District, St. George Fortified System, Grenadine Island Group. On a global level, the contribution is related to the Anglo-Creole and African cultural heritage, pirate history, musical and carnival traditions of the country, and the unique "Shakespeare Mas" (Carriacou). In 2024, UNESCO recognized the Shakespeare Mas (Carriacou) tradition as an intangible heritage of humanity.

A national Independence Awards ceremony is held on Independence Day, where prizes are awarded for culture, art, literature, educational and public services. There are no national awards like major African or European countries, and the system of grants and personal awards by decree of the governor dominates.

Grenada is known for its vibrant mix of African, British, French, Indian, and Caribbean traditions; officially recognized as a multicultural peasant, diverse religions, folklore, holiday calendars, and language (English, Creole). It is implemented through ethnocultural programs in Carriacou and Petit Martinique, support for the local Creole language, financing festivals and educational initiatives for Afro-, Indo-Caribbean, French and Scottish descendants.

There are no UNESCO sites, but there are hundreds of monuments in the country (historical fortifications, colonial-era buildings, monuments to seafarers, museums, Catholic cathedrals); there are more than 20 cultural organizations and 3 historical museums. The country participates in regional (Caribbean Festival of Arts, CARIFESTA), UNESCO projects ("Transcultura: Caribbean–EU"), gastronomic and musical forums, schools of traditional arts, joint exhibitions with Jamaica and Barbados.

Shakespeare Mas is recognized as a UNESCO intangible Heritage; Grenada protects the Spice Island brands, carnival traditions (Koenny Montun, Koo-Koo), Soca/Calypso music, national cuisine, rum and spices. The traditional cuisine is unique: dumplings, curry, fish, goat soup, mango butter, bread-fruit, spices, rum, dishes of Indo- and Afro-Caribbean origin. Programs are underway to transfer culinary heritage through family holidays.

At least 43-49% of the adult population participate in cultural festivals, carnivals, ceremonies, and shows annually; youth involvement is above 60% due to the mass nature of celebrations, creative schools, and support for national traditions.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 87%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 61.9

By the end of 2023-2024, the index is 0.791. Grenada ranks 80-83 in international rankings and belongs to the “high” level of HDI development. According to the budget for 2023, it is 3.93–4.1% of GDP. In terms of the share of total government spending — 14.36% (2023, UNESCO).

The Education Enhancement Project (GEEP), which is supported by international development banks, operates to develop the infrastructure. The most recent data gives an indicator of 98.6% (for both men and women). Grenada is among the leaders of the Caribbean region by this criterion.

Grenada does not participate in PISA and similar global assessment programs. The country has national and regional (Caribbean Community) standardized tests for schoolchildren. There is no exact data, but it is known that the main areas of higher education are medicine (due to the international status of St. George's University), agriculture, engineering and pedagogy; according to expert estimates, 24-27% of graduates are in STEM disciplines.

High: in leading universities (for example, St. George's University), up to 27-35% of students are foreigners, studying under partnership agreements with the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. There are joint programs with medical universities in the EU and the USA. The official language is English; Creole dialects and French Creole are common in everyday life.

Culture and languages are supported through separate schools, cultural centers, and grants for ethnic minorities (Indo-Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean, and Syrian communities). Fundamental research is concentrated at St. George's University (institutes of medicine, veterinary medicine, biology, clinics), as well as in separate government agencies (Ministry of Agriculture, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute).

There are only 3-5 such centers. National e-learning systems (GEENet, EduConnect for schools) and large-scale adaptation of Moodle/LMS for universities have been implemented. Our own platforms cover 63-69% of students; the rest are international partner resources. There is a national scholarship program and encouragement for talented students (Ministry of Education, Skills Bank, ~600 grants and target places annually, 2023-547 scholarships and 21 grants for research).

A separate Innovation Fund and internship programs are being established jointly with CARICOM.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 86%.

Military sovereignty — 29.4

Defense spending is estimated at 1.3% of GDP (~25 million USD), the budget is consistently low and does not require urgent review due to the absence of external threats and armed conflicts. There is no regular army in Grenada.

National security is provided by the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) with the support of Coast Guard and Special Services Unit (SSU). Strength: 500-800 people in the internal troops/police system; 100 — Naval Service (Coast Guard); there is no regular reserve. The main weapons are light rifles, coast guard equipment, and 1 patrol boat. There are no modern air defense systems, tanks, artillery, or aviation. All equipment for Coast Guard is imported, from the USA and Europe, updated as resources become available.

There is no national defense industry; machinery, equipment, and weapons are entirely imported (there is no data on local production). All border security and control is provided by integrated Coast Guard, patrols and partnerships with the United States, Great Britain, CARICOM, RSS; joint international and regional missions and operations against traffic, piracy and emergencies are regularly carried out. There are no permanent or voluntary reserves. It is possible to mobilize RGPF personnel by order of the government (a mobilization reserve of up to 800 people in 30-60 days in emergency mode).

All key decisions are made by the national the Government and the Interior Ministry prioritize agreements within the framework of the Regional Security System (RSS; Caribbean Defense Union) and cooperation with the United States/Great Britain in combating transnational threats. There is no national military industry, design bureaus, development and export production of weapons.

There are no nuclear weapons, warheads, or ballistic systems. Grenada is a signatory to all key international non-proliferation agreements. Grenada does not have a military space or an independent satellite/strategic reconnaissance system; intelligence and special checks are carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and border partners.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and industry databases of UN/NGO – 90% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Macroeconomic stability and high HDI: GDP per capita (PPP) is 18-21 thousand USD, the HDI human development index is 0.791 (80-83 place in the world), adult literacy is 98.6%.

Political and social stability: absence of serious protests, effective administration, stable system of public services and institutions, high level of trust in leaders. Zero criminal pressure and a high level of security: the state is one of the safest in the Caribbean, low street crime, and a well-developed internal security system.

Tax and investment advantages: the standard status of a “tax haven”, an active investment citizenship program, simplified business registration, and the absence of capital gains and inheritance taxes.

High international educational coverage: 96-104% HE coverage, a well-developed international educational network (St. George's University is a leader in medicine), ~24-27% of STEM graduates, a high influx of international students. Active cultural life: the involvement of the population — up to 60% in cultural holidays and festivals, a program to support small nations, the preservation of Creole, Afro- and European traditions, gastronomic and musical diversity.

Weaknesses. Import dependence: there is no complete autonomy for high-tech, food (60-65% of supplies), energy (>90% of imports), all industrial equipment and weapons, as well as critical infrastructures. Minimal strategic sovereignty: there is no army, military industry, reserve, space and intelligence systems, all military decisions are delegated through foreign partnerships (RSS, USA, UK).

The scientific and IT sector is underdeveloped: R&D costs 0.01% of GDP, partially has its own educational and digital platforms, and the scientific and production infrastructure has not been formed.

There is a shortage of sustainable resources: there are no mineral, energy and water reserves; weak food independence even with a developed agricultural industry and agricultural exports. External control of monetary policy and the payment system: all monetary circulation is in the hands of ECCB, Grenada has no actual emission autonomy.

Overall assessment. The cumulative sovereignty index of Grenada is 388.5 out of 700 possible points (average 55.5%), which places the country in the top 100 in the global top. Grenada is an example of a delegated, peaceful and sustainable acutely independent State, leading in educational, cultural, socio-legal and investment characteristics in the Caribbean region.

At the same time, strategic, technological, and scientific autonomy, as well as resource independence, are minimal: the country is completely dependent on imported products and fuels, high-tech equipment, and global financial institutions.

The sovereignty profile indicates that Grenada in 2025 is an example of an island state with a delegated monetary and defense model, an emphasis on openness, stability and socio-educational standards, but with a pronounced dependence on external resources, technology, financial and infrastructural solutions.