IEDOM’s 2025 economic overview shows lending rising to €518.6 million, while neighboring Saint-Barthélemy records exceptional tourism activity and mounting pressure on essential services.
MARIGOT:--- Tourism supported Saint-Martin’s economy in 2025, with increased visitor numbers helping sustain activity, but high prices and continuing needs in housing, energy and waste management remain significant challenges, according to the Institut d’Émission des Départements d’Outre-mer (IEDOM).
In an October 2, 2026 press release announcing its annual economic and financial report, IEDOM describes a territory strengthened by major post-Hurricane Irma reconstruction projects but still facing substantial investment requirements.
The institution warns that elevated prices contribute to economic insecurity and weaken Saint-Martin’s economic potential. The Collectivité and local stakeholders' ability to deliver necessary investment projects will therefore be decisive.
Tourism Supports Activity as Reconstruction Strengthens Resilience
IEDOM identifies tourism as the driving force behind Saint-Martin’s economy in 2025, supported by higher visitor numbers and a more selective tourism positioning than on the Dutch side of the island.
Major reconstruction projects following Hurricane Irma have also strengthened the territory’s resilience.
Nevertheless, the economic overview makes clear that reconstruction has not eliminated the need for further investment. Housing, energy provision and waste management remain priority areas.
The release also identifies a major port modernization project planned for launch in 2026, placing infrastructure development among the territory’s principal economic priorities.
Bank Lending Rises 7.1 Percent
Banking activity on Saint-Martin remained positive, with outstanding loans held by locally operating banks reaching €518.6 million at the end of 2025, up 7.1 percent from the previous year.
IEDOM describes the economy's financing as dynamic.
Financial assets held in locally established banks were comparatively stable, increasing 0.4 percent to €536.2 million at year-end.
The figures indicate an expansion in outstanding lending alongside limited growth in financial assets. The press release does not provide a breakdown of lending by households, businesses or economic sector.
Saint-Barthélemy Records Exceptional Tourism Activity
In a separate release issued the same day, IEDOM reports that Saint-Barthélemy’s economy continued to benefit from record tourism activity in 2025, supporting economic activity throughout the territory.
Its construction and public works sector, which had slowed as post-Irma reconstruction projects reached completion, gained renewed momentum from new public and private infrastructure projects.
However, the influx of tourists intensified existing pressures on land, energy and waste management.
IEDOM states that the fiscally autonomous Collectivité relies on efficient management of the funds it collects to finance new infrastructure.
The institution also notes that a recent reassessment confirmed Saint-Barthélemy’s exceptionally high gross domestic product per resident. The press release does not specify the revised amount.
Saint-Barthélemy Banking Figures Remain High
Bank financing in Saint-Barthélemy reached € 1.2 billion at the end of 2025, reflecting continued financing activity in the local economy.
Financial holdings stood at €1.5 billion, increasing 0.3 percent over the year.
IEDOM describes these holdings as exceptionally high, reflecting the territory’s distinctive position in the collection of financial assets.
Growth Brings Continuing Infrastructure Demands
The two economic overviews show tourism supporting both territories while increasing the importance of infrastructure investment.
For Saint-Martin, challenges include addressing high living costs and improving housing, energy, and waste management. In Saint-Barthélemy, record visitor activity adds pressure to land availability and essential services.
The findings place the delivery of investment projects at the center of the territories’ economic outlook: sustained tourism activity must be supported by infrastructure capable of meeting local needs.
IEDOM’s annual economic and financial reports for both territories are available free of charge through the institution.