CARICOM consists of 15 member states and 5 associate members as of 2026, totaling 20 entities working together across the Caribbean.
How many countries are a part of CARICOM?
There are 20 countries and territories in CARICOM as of 2026: 15 member states and 5 associate members.
Fifteen full members make up the core group, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Associate members—Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands—join specific programs without full voting rights. (Honestly, this structure gives smaller territories a way to engage without overwhelming commitments.) The group collaborates on trade, security, and regional integration. For the latest details, check the CARICOM official website.
What makes up the CARICOM?
CARICOM is made up of 15 member states and 5 associate members across the Caribbean region.
These countries work together on economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development, and security. The organization runs through a Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, and holds regular meetings among heads of government. Associate members like Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands take part in programs without full voting rights. That said, their involvement still strengthens regional ties. More on membership and functions is available on the CARICOM about page.
Which Caribbean countries are not part of CARICOM?
Non-member Caribbean countries include Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico among others.
Cuba acts as an active observer but isn’t a member. The Dominican Republic joins some CARICOM initiatives case by case. Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, can’t become a member. Other non-members? Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and French departments like Martinique and Guadeloupe. For a full list of observers, visit the CARICOM observer page.
Which is the largest CARICOM country?
Haiti is the largest CARICOM country by population as of 2026.
| Rank | Country | Population (2026 est.) |
|---|
| 1 | Haiti | 11.7 million |
| 2 | Jamaica | 2.8 million |
| 3 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1.4 million |
| 4 | Guyana | 810,000 |
Haiti’s large population gives it a major regional role, even though it faces tough economic and humanitarian challenges. Jamaica ranks second in population. These figures come from recent trends tracked by the World Bank.
Which is the smallest CARICOM country?
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest CARICOM country by both area and population.
This two-island nation in the Leeward Islands covers just 261 square kilometers and has around 47,000 people. Despite its tiny size, it’s fully sovereign and a stable CARICOM member. Its economy leans heavily on tourism and regional partnerships.
Is Canada a member of CARICOM?
Canada is not a member of CARICOM but is an engaged partner.
Canada works with CARICOM on climate resilience, disaster response, trade, and security through funding and technical support. It joins the CARICOM-Canada Consultative Forum and backs regional initiatives like the Caribbean Development Bank. Though it doesn’t vote, Canada plays a key role in strengthening regional stability. See the details at Global Affairs Canada.
What are the 15 members of Caricom?
The 15 CARICOM member states are: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory; the rest are independent nations. Together, they form the core of the Caribbean Community, tackling trade, education, and security. The list hasn’t changed since Haiti joined in 2002. For updates, check the CARICOM member states page.
What is the difference between Caricom and CSME?
CSME is a subset of CARICOM focused on economic integration.
The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) takes CARICOM’s broader goals further by creating a single market for goods, services, and labor. It lets CARICOM nationals move and work freely across member states, boosting economic chances and cutting trade barriers. Meanwhile, CARICOM itself also handles foreign policy and security. Learn more at the CARICOM CSME page.
Who is the present head of Caricom?
As of 2026, the Chair of CARICOM is Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley.
Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, holds the rotating chair for 2025–2026. The position switches yearly among CARICOM heads of government. Day-to-day operations are led by Secretary-General Carla Barnett from the Georgetown Secretariat. See the latest updates on the CARICOM leadership page.
Is Aruba part of Caricom?
Aruba is not a member of CARICOM but holds observer status.
Aruba, along with Curaçao and Sint Maarten, joins CARICOM meetings as an observer because it’s part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Observer status lets it engage with CARICOM initiatives without full membership.
Where can I travel with a Caricom passport?
With a CARICOM passport, you can travel to approximately 150–160 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.
| CARICOM Country | Visa-Free Destinations (approx.) |
|---|
| Barbados | 160 |
| Bahamas | 155 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 151 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 149 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 142 |
CARICOM passports rank among the most powerful in the region, offering strong mobility across the Americas and parts of Europe. Exact numbers change with bilateral deals, so always check before you travel. Passport power rankings are tracked by Passport Index.
Where is Caricom headquarters located?
The CARICOM Secretariat is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana.
The Secretariat acts as CARICOM’s administrative arm, organizing meetings, putting policies into action, and running regional programs. It also has offices in Barbados and a satellite unit in Jamaica to handle daily tasks. Georgetown’s location highlights Guyana’s central role in the organization.
Which Caribbean country is the richest?
The Bahamas is the richest Caribbean country by GDP per capita as of 2026.
With a GDP per capita over $35,000, the Bahamas leads the region, thanks to tourism and offshore finance. Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados follow closely. Even with high GDP per capita, some countries still deal with inequality and outside economic shocks. Data comes from the World Bank.
Which Caribbean country is the smallest?
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas by area and population.
At just 261 km² and about 47,000 people, it’s also the smallest CARICOM member. Its size limits economic variety, so tourism is its main industry. Despite being tiny, it has full diplomatic representation and stays active in CARICOM.
What are the 5 largest islands in the Caribbean?
The five largest Caribbean islands by land area are Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.
- Cuba – 110,860 km² (largest and most populous)
- Hispaniola – 76,192 km² (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic)
- Jamaica – 10,991 km²
- Puerto Rico – 9,104 km²
- Trinidad – 5,131 km²
These islands shape Caribbean culture, politics, and economy. Some, like Hispaniola, are split into multiple countries. Size often lines up with population and economic strength.
