CapitalSaint-Pierre
Population5,070
Area242 km²
LanguagesFrench
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy81.8 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Introduction
Background
Initially established by the French in the early 17th century, Saint Pierre and Miquelon represent the last remnants of France's formerly extensive territories in North America. In 2003, they achieved the designation of an overseas collectivity.
Geography
Area
land
242 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
242 sq km
Climate
characterized by a cold and damp climate, with significant occurrences of mist and fog; both spring and autumn frequently experience windy conditions
Terrain
predominantly uninhabited rock
Land use
other
86.3% (2023 est.)
forest
5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Location
located in Northern North America, these islands are situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Coastline
120 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Map references
North America
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
year-round persistent fog can pose a danger to maritime activities
Geography - note
limited vegetation; these islands are considered part of the northern Appalachian region, alongside Newfoundland
Natural resources
fishing, deepwater harbors
Area - comparative
1.5 times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
46 50 N, 56 20 W
Population distribution
the majority of inhabitants reside on Saint Pierre Island; a small community is found at the northern tip of Miquelon Island
People & Society
Languages
Languages
French (official)
major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.97 male(s)/female
total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.78 male(s)/female
Birth rate
6.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
50.5 years
total
51.8 years (2025 est.)
female
51.9 years
Population
male
2,442
total
5,070 (2025 est.)
female
2,628
Nationality
noun
Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective
French
Urbanization
urban population
90.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
13.1% (male 346/female 328)
15-64 years
61.6% (male 1,559/female 1,600)
65 years and over
25.3% (2024 est.) (male 571/female 728)
Ethnic groups
Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
63.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
21 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
42.3 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-6.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.6 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
9.6 deaths/1,000 live births
total
7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-1.24% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the majority of the inhabitants reside on Saint Pierre Island; a minor settlement is situated at the northern tip of Miquelon Island
Life expectancy at birth
male
79.5 years
female
84.3 years
total population
81.8 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
6,000 SAINT-PIERRE (capital) (2018)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
65.2% (2020 est.)
Environment
Climate
characterized by cold and damp conditions, featuring significant mist and fog; the seasons of spring and autumn frequently experience windy weather
Land use
other
86.3% (2023 est.)
forest
5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
90.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environmental issues
excessive fishing practices
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
57,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
57,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: a yellow three-masted sailing vessel oriented to the left is set against a blue backdrop adorned with undulating white lines; a black-over-white wavy line separates the ship from the white wavy lines; to the left, a vertical band is segmented into three heraldic sections: the upper section (termed ikkurina) is red featuring a green diagonal cross extending to the corners and superimposed with a white cross, the middle section is white with an ermine design, and the lower section is red displaying two yellow lions outlined in black
meaning: the heraldic sections signify settlers from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy in France; blue represents the Atlantic Ocean, while the ship symbolizes explorer Jacques Cartier's vessel during his visit to the islands in 1536
Capital
name
Saint-Pierre
etymology
the name may derive from Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen; alternatively, it may be linked to one of the two navigators after whom the island is named
time difference
UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the second Sunday of March; concluding on the first Sunday of November
geographic coordinates
46 46 N, 56 11 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see France
Constitution
history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendment process
amendment procedures of France's constitution apply
Country name
etymology
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is believed to be named after two navigators, one named Peter and the other known as Michael (or Mikelon, a name of Basque origin)
local long form
Département de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local short form
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
conventional long form
Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
conventional short form
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France; has remained under French governance since 1763)
Legal system
French civil law
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Supérieur d'Appel (composition NA)
judge selection and term of office
judge selection and tenure NA
Executive branch
cabinet
Le Cabinet du Préfet
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Prefect Bruno ANDRE (since September 2023)
election results
2020: Bernard BRIAND elected President of Territorial Council; Territorial Council vote - 17 for, 2 abstentions
2017: Stephane LENORMAND elected President of Territorial Council vote - NA
head of government
President of Territorial Council Marc DIDIO (since 12 January 2026)
most recent election date
13 October 2020
election/appointment process
the French president is elected directly by absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for reelection); the prefect is appointed by the French president based on the recommendations of the French Ministry of Interior; the president of the Territorial Council is elected by councilors of the Territorial Council through absolute majority voting; term NA
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
Dependency status
overseas collectivity of France
Political parties
Archipelago Tomorrow (Archipel Domain) or AD (affiliated with The Republicans)
Focus on the Future (Cap sur l'Avenir) (affiliated with Left Radical Party)
Together to Build (Ensemble pour Construire)
Legislative branch
term in office
6 years
number of seats
19 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Territorial Council (Conseil Territorial)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/27/2022
expected date of next election
March 2028
parties elected and seats per party
AD (15); Focus on the Future (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
history
official anthem, as a French collectivity
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National symbol(s)
16th-century sailing ship
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as recognized by the US government, but two communes are classified as second-order: Saint Pierre, Miquelon
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)
International organization participation
UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Economy
Industries
a processing hub for fish and supply center for fishing fleets; tourism
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a high-income territorial economy in French North America; predominantly reliant on fishing exports; significant backing from the French Government; labor force characterized by high seasonality; utilizes the euro; growing investments in tourism and aquaculture
Exports - partners
Canada 78%, Ireland 5%, France 5%, Djibouti 4%, UK 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
France 57%, Canada 37%, Netherlands 3%, Belgium 2%, Spain 0% (2023)
Agricultural products
vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Exports - commodities
processed crustaceans, shellfish (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, packaged medicine, automobiles, plastic goods, various foods (2023)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$261.3 million (2015 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$261.3 million (2015 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
400 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
48.714 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
26,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
2 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
88.7% (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
Eight television channels, all affiliated with the French Overseas Network, along with regional cable services offered by SPM Telecom; three out of four radio stations belong to the French Overseas Network (2021)
Internet country code
.pm
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
4,800 (2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
76 (2015 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Miquelon, St. Pierre
very small
0
total ports
2 (2024)
size unknown
1
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
2 (2025)
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation of defense lies with France.
