Grenada - 56.39
82
More comparable to the Dominican Republic than Barbados
Grenada is in the unfortunate position of being the poorest small Caribbean island nation. The Dominican Republic outscored Grenada by over ten points for economy, and more developed Caribbean islands like Barbados or the Bahamas had over double its score. Almost ten percent of the Grenadian population lives below the international poverty line and nearly a quarter of the population is unemployed. Additionally, Grenada struggles with one of the highest rates of corruption in the Caribbean. While Grenada’s human rights and democracy status are both passable, the country struggles with severe competency issues. Ultimately, Grenada’s issues can be traced back to Cold War-era political instability. A series of political crises prompted a short-lived Grenadian government, installed via coup d’etat, to side with the Soviet Union and Cuba. This prompted the United States to launch a preemptive strike against the island. After the four-day military operation concluded, a democratic regime was installed. This regime’s consistent displays of incompetence have held the island back to this day.
Human Rights - 61
Grenada has functionally abolished the death penalty; the last execution was carried out in 1978. Grenada’s final death row inmate was commuted to life in prison in 2020. Prison conditions are awful, as the country’s only prison had a capacity of 150 but held 357 inmates throughout 2021. Further compounding the problem is that the prison is gender segregated, with a disproportionately sized female block housing only three inmates, worsening issues of overcrowding in the male block. Additionally, the male block lacked potable water in the cells. In fairness, the government allowed prisoners with less than five years left in their sentences to apply for early release due to COVID, which resulted in 41 prisoners getting their sentences commuted to probation. Grenada decriminalized defamation in 2012 but seditious libel remains a criminal offense punishable by jail time. The government initiated several lawsuits against journalists for criticizing the government in recent years. Homosexuality is illegal for men but legal for women; laws governing homosexuality are seldom enforced. Abortion is legal to preserve the physical and mental health of a woman.
Democracy - 79
Grenada is a commonwealth democracy, limiting its score to 95. The prime minister is formally appointed by the governor-general but is usually the leader of the majority coalition. The House of Representatives is directly elected and the Senate is nominated by the governor-general. Electoral laws are generally free and fair but elections lack fixed dates and the incumbent is known to move elections based on favorability. Additionally, there are virtually no campaign finance laws, which heavily favors large parties. Both the prime minister and parliament lack term limits and the ruling party regularly redistricts to favor themselves. Grenada has a two-party system but party formation and participation is not restricted.
Freedom - 76
Grenada decriminalized defamation in 2012 but seditious libel remains a serious criminal offense carrying jail time. The government initiated several lawsuits against journalists for criticizing the government in recent years. The only major locally-owned news broadcast, the Grenada Broadcast Network (GBN) is partially owned by the government. The GBN is entirely censored and never criticizes the government. Trade unionists are frequently harassed. All drugs are illegal in Grenada. Cannabis possession is the most common offense in Grenada and while the government makes attempts to enforce this law it is estimated that more than one-tenth of the Grenadian population regularly smokes marijuana. Gun laws are ambiguous but there are very few guns in Grenada.
Economy - 34
Health - 57
Grenada has a life expectancy of 72 years and an infant mortality rate of 1.5%. 21.3% of Grenadians are obese and 5.43% are malnourished. Grenada has a decent universal healthcare system, covering all Grenadians but not guaranteeing high-quality care. Healthcare facilities across the country lack professionals and medication. 97% of Grenadians have access to clean, running water. Grenada has minor problems with mosquito-borne tropical diseases, namely Zika and Chikungunya.
Corruption - 24
Both major parties in parliament have repeatedly struck down anti-corruption bills, with some anticorruption legislation being unanimously struck down. Grenada’s citizenship-by-investment program is one of the most abused in the world. Grenada has often sold diplomatic passports or ambassadorships to wealthy investors. Police extortion is common in Grenada. Public services must be bribed into action. Public contracts are impossible to obtain without bribery.
Competency - 17
The government is failing to provide for the people, especially prisoners. The government is failing to properly enforce drug laws.
Future - 34
Grenada’s future does not look bright. Unlike its neighbors, Grenada is gripped by poverty. Attempts to establish tourism, finance, sugar, and rum industries have all been met with middling results. Grenada’s economic woes are unlikely to turn around any time soon.
Actions Abroad - 71
Grenada is a tax haven but has failed to make itself desirable to investors. Grenada has no income, wealth, or inheritance tax. Grenada sells citizenship to wealthy investors. Grenada dissolved its expeditionary military force in 1983. Grenada retains a national guard and a coast guard but not an army, navy, or air force. Grenada is generally isolationist otherwise. Grenada received a ten-point penalty for its tax haven status.
8.2% of the Grenadian population lives below the international poverty line and 32% lives below the national poverty line. 24% of Grenadians are unemployed. Grenada has a high economic disparity. The minimum wage in Grenada varies by profession but the lowest is $1.57 per hour for domestic workers. Grenada has a decent universal healthcare system. All Grenadians are covered but healthcare is of lackluster quality. Grenada has access to a limited number of professionals and pharmacies are not always fully stocked. The Grenadian economy shrunk 11.2% in 2020 and grew 1.7% in 2019.