The latest provisional estimates have been released for the numbers of passenger arrivals and departures to and from St Helena, up to the end of February 2025.
Note: Estimates of the arrivals of St Helenians and those arriving for leisure are not yet available for November 2024 onwards, due to a change in immigration arrival procedures.
Arrivals
In February 2025, there were an estimated 656 arrivals, with 480 arriving by air; this compares with 458 arrivals in February 2024, with 343 arriving by air.
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During the last 12 months (March 2024 to February 2025) there have been 4,774 arrivals, compared to 4,426 in the same period a year ago – a 7.9% increase.
Departures
In February 2025 there were an estimated 663 departures from the island, 7 more than the number of arrivals. During the last 12 months (March 2024 to February 2025), there were a total of 4,779 departures, compared to 4,451 in the same period a year ago – an increase of 7.4%.
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Get the data
A file in Excel format with detailed monthly statistics on arrivals and departures to February 2025 can be downloaded here.
A Candlelit Vigil to honour victims and survivors of domestic violence will take place on Saturday, 03 May 2025, at 19:00 at the Jamestown Market.
This solemn event is part of St Helena’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness for White Ribbon Day, a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.
Community members are encouraged to attend the vigil to light a candle in remembrance and solidarity. The event will serve as a poignant reminder that everyone has a role to play in creating a future free from fear, violence, and abuse.
White Ribbon Day began in Canada in 1991, when a group of men united to speak out against violence towards women. Since then, it has become an international initiative, observed in countries across the globe. St Helena’s Candlelit Vigil joins this collective voice calling for change and equality.
All members of the community are encouraged to come along to light a candle and stand together in a powerful display of commitment to ending domestic violence on St Helena and beyond.
Join us as we stand united to end domestic violence.
Latest index value and inflation rates for Q1 2025
The latest estimate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been released by the St Helena Statistics Office, for the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025). The CPI has been measured at 103.5, a small increase of 0.4% on the previous quarter (Q4 2024) but a 6.5% increase compared to a year ago (Q1 2024). This annual inflation rate of 6.5% is a drop in the rate of 1.7 percentage points compared to the rate measured in Q4 2024, which was 8.2%.
Price changes over the last year
On average, all broad groups of items saw their prices rise compared to a year ago, except for clothing. The highest average annual increase was in Communication (18.4%), resulting from increases in July 2024 in the landline telephone tariff and mobile data packages. There was an average annual increase in Household Energy of 12.5%, lower than in the previous quarter (28.1%) and the result of the increase in the price of electricity in July 2024. The average annual increase in Food prices was 8.4%, which was also slightly lower than the annual increase measured last quarter (9.7%), and still includes the increase in the price of locally produced bread and meat implemented by Solomons in Q4 2024. Transport costs increased by 5.2% on average over the year, partly because of the increase in the price of the public transport service in December 2024.
Price changes over the last quarter
The quarterly change in the CPI was 0.4%, comparing Q1 2025 to Q4 2024. Only three groups of categories experienced average increases since the last quarter: Alcohol & Tobacco, 2.1%; Miscellaneous Good & Services, 0.7%; and Food, 0.5%. Household Goods and Services fell slightly (-0.4%), with all other catergories being unchanged on average.
Note that normally price changes in both the UK and South Africa have a strong impact on prices on St Helena, since the majority of goods imported are purchased in those two countries (although for the Q4 2024 Index, price increases in local goods and services had a major effect). In March 2025 annual consumer price inflation in the UK was measured at 2.6% (UK Office for National Statistics), down from 2.8% in February. In South Africa, annual consumer price inflation was measured at 3.2% in February 2025 (Statistics South Africa), unchanged from January 2025. Changes in the value of the Rand compared to the Pound can have a large effect on the change in the price of goods purchased in South Africa, especially during periods of increase or decrease. However, for the period April 2024 to March 2025, the Pound averaged 23.3 Rand, which is very similar to the average value for the previous twelve months, which was 23.5, and so had no major impact on the St Helena inflation rate.
Methodology
Rebasing the Index
The Index was rebased in the third quarter of 2024, following the 2023 Household Expenditure Survey (HES) and subsequent analysis by the Statistics Office. The HES reviewed the composition of the average ‘shopping basket’ of goods and services purchased by households on St Helena, to make sure it reflects current spending habits. The Statistics Office has also reviewed the items that are used to represent each category of spending in the basket, to make sure they are also up to date and relevant. The rebased Index includes 205 categories of expenditure, within nine broader groupings; these broader groupings are unchanged from the previous Index. Within the broad groupings, the detailed categories of expenditure have been adjusted slightly to better align with international guidelines, and in particular they now only include expenditure related to household consumption, and not all expenditures. This has also made a change to the terminology necessary: the Index has been renamed the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rather than the Retail Price Index (RPI).
What is price inflation and how is it measured?
Price inflation is the change in the average prices of goods and services over time. The rate of price inflation is calculated from the change in the CPI, which is the official measure of the average change in the prices of goods and services paid by consumers. The CPI is estimated each quarter, i.e. once every three months, and the rate of price inflation is usually quoted on an annual basis; that is, comparing price changes over a 12-month period. Prices and the CPI tend to go up, but they can occasionally go down – which is known as price deflation.
The CPI is a statistical measure of the change in consumer prices on St Helena; an increase in the CPI means that, on average, prices have gone up since the last time they were measured, and a decrease in the CPI means that, on average, prices have fallen. The annual change in the CPI is called the annual inflation rate, and is the usual measure of the change in prices in an economy. The CPI is an average measure: if it goes up, it does not mean that all prices have gone up, and similarly, if it goes down, it does not mean that all prices have fallen.
Why do we measure inflation?
An accurate measure of price inflation helps understand the extent and nature of the impact of price changes on the government, businesses, households and individuals. Inflation rates are often used in budgeting and accounting processes so that costs can be adjusted for the effect of price changes.
How is the CPI calculated?
The basis for the CPI is the average weekly cost of goods and services purchased by households on St Helena for consumption, sometimes called the CPI ‘shopping basket’. Items which households purchase more of, such as food, have the biggest share of the CPI basket. The current CPI uses a basket from the latest Household Expenditure Survey in 2023; prices representing the groups of items in the basket are collected every quarter, and the price of the total basket is compared to the price in the baseline period, the third quarter of 2024. By convention, the value of the basket in the baseline period is scaled to 100, and the CPI values are quoted in relation to that baseline. For example, a CPI value of 120 means that average prices have increased by 20 per cent compared to those recorded in the baseline period.
Composition of average household weekly expenditure (Q3 2024 CPI ‘Shopping Basket’)
What happens when items are not available?
If an item of the ‘basket’ is not available then either the previous price will be carried forward from the previous quarter, or a suitable substitute item will be identified and an adjustment calculation made. Care is taken to ensure that this substitute item represents the item category and that it does not introduce error to the measurement of the CPI. An important principle is that price changes should reflect actual price increases and decreases, and not changes in the quality of items.
Please get in touch. We are Neil Fantom, Statistical Commissioner, Kelly Clingham and Justine Joshua, Senior Statistical Assistants and Courtney O’Dean, Statistics Assistant. You can find us in person at the Statistics Office on the top floor of the Post Office, Jamestown. You can also contact us by telephone on our direct line through 22138. If calling from overseas, the international dialling code for St Helena is +290. Our general office e-mail address is statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh, or you can email team members directly (the format is firstname.lastname@sainthelena.gov.sh).
The primary schools will be hosting their annual Athletics Day at Francis Plain on Wednesday 23 April 2025. All parents, guardians and members of the public are invited to attend. The sports will start at 09:45 and end at approximately 14:30.
As this is a school event, the primary sector would appreciate if all spectators could adhere to the following conditions in the interests of the safety of the children:
No pets will be allowed on Francis Plain for this event.
Only the appointed marshals, helpers, invited guests and school team leaders will be allowed on the field for the duration of the event.
Only school appointed photographers will be allowed on the field to photograph the event.
No alcohol is allowed.
Smoking is restricted on the whole of Francis Plain for this event. Persons wishing to smoke must do so outside of the Francis Plain and school premises. The allocated smoking area is away from the school along Watercourse Road.
All litter is to be put into the bins provided.
Parking in the area behind the pavilion and adjacent green shed or alongside of these areas is not permitted as this is the muster point for Prince Andrew School staff and students in the case of a fire or other emergency. However, the ring road will be open for parking.
Please note, if parents/guardians wish to transport their children home after the event they are asked to ensure that they make the respective head teacher of the school or the child’s class teacher aware of this on the day so that all children can be accounted for.
We look forward to your support in making this a successful day for our children.
St Helena’s primary schools have a longstanding history of involvement in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), established in 1883. This tradition expanded two years ago to include writers from Prince Andrew School.
Annually engaging thousands, the competition celebrates student achievement, empowers youth voices, and builds creative writing skills. Each year, a Commonwealth-focused theme promotes empathy and diverse perspectives on global challenges.
In 2024, the theme of the competition was ‘Our Common Wealth’, asking entrants to consider how they deal with adversity, and how community and culture can be used to encourage resilience and hope in a world with a growing number of global issues.
The topics for the junior category were:
Describe a new eco-friendly habit you could adopt to contribute positively to a greener Commonwealth.
Imagine a dialogue between yourself and a grandparent, discussing themes of resilience and hope, and elucidate on the insights each generation can offer the other.
Envision participating in a beach clean-up where you unexpectedly discover the ability to communicate with sea creatures. Depict the conversation and your response.
Illustrate how you would navigate making friends with peers during a school exchange program in a Commonwealth country different from your own, considering cultural similarities and differences.
The topics for the senior category were:
“In the words of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ‘It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.’ What practical measures can you initiate to address the climate crisis?”
Craft a persuasive speech outlining today’s most pressing global challenge and propose how Commonwealth values can be instrumental in its resolution.
Reflecting on the essence of ‘aiga’ or family values in Samoan culture, explore how similar core values from your heritage can foster cooperation and community within the Commonwealth.
Compose a letter addressed to your country’s leader, advising on strategies to realize the goals of peace, liberty, and progress as envisioned in the Commonwealth’s London Declaration.
An awards ceremony was held at Plantation House on Tuesday 15 April, presented by HE Acting Governor, Tasha Harris, and Head Teacher of Harford Primary, Carlean Crowie. 19 students were awarded bronze medals, 20 were awarded silver medals and five were awarded gold medals at the ceremony.
Head Teacher of Harford Primary, Carlean Crowie, commented:
“This year, we celebrated a record-breaking 44 winners – a clear reflection of the remarkable growth and development in pupils’ writing across our schools. I hope this success inspires even more pupils to embrace the challenge of the 2025 competition with renewed enthusiasm and determination.”
Photos
Head Teacher, Carlean Crowie delivering the opening speech
HE Acting Governor, Tasha Harris, delivering congratulatory remarks
Recipients of the Bronze Award
Recipients of the Silver Award
Recipients of the Gold Award
Interim Portfolio Director, Marie Horton, delivered closing remarks
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 06:00. Weather permitting, the vessel will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty and cargo operations will commence as soon as practicable.
The public are therefore advised that the Port of Jamestown and the whole of Lower Ruperts including the beach area, will be closed from 06:00 on Wednesday 23April 2025, until all cargo operations are completed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited to those who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
Boat owners and operators are advised that mooring on the ‘span’ mooring rope near the landing steps at the Jamestown Wharf is prohibited for the duration of cargo operations.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.
A meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will take place on Wednesday 30 April 2025 from 14:30 to 16:00. This meeting will be held at the Education Learning Centre, Jamestown.
A recording of the meeting will be uploaded on the SHG YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sthelenagovernment1638. The previous panel meetings held in January 2025 and July 2024 and now available to view.
Following each meeting, printed versions of the Police and Crime Panel report will also be made available at the Customer Service Centre and Public Library. Previous reports are now available to view at these locations.
The FCDO have confirmed that, following discussions during the Financial Aid Mission held in January 2025, the UK Government has allocated £35.79m of recurrent funding to the St Helena Government as a contribution to their annual budget for the 25/26 financial year. This represents an increase of just over 5% (see Table 1) from the last financial year.
Table 1
Financial Year
TOTAL
2023/24
£33,060,000 (4% increase on previous year)
2024/25
£34,060,000 (3% increase on previous year)
2025/26
£35,790,000(5% increase on previous year)
In the context of an incredibly difficult fiscal position faced by the UK Government, this is a very strong result for St Helena. This funding is alongside the £6.65m that is being provided as a result of the BIOT migrant agreement. This funding allows the government to pursue its priority objectives and policies, such as the recently announced education review.
This announcement does not relate to other funding streams which include the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), the Cloud Forest and other Programmes. These programmes allow us to implement vital infrastructure projects such as the new build prison, the renewable energy programme and the Rupert’s Port project. They also allow us to continue our work on vital environmental programmes.
Deputy Director of Overseas Territories and Polar Regions Directorate, Adam Pile, said:
“Given the UK’s need to increase funding for defence and security priorities and the challenging fiscal position the UK Government finds itself in, I hope you will agree that this is an incredibly positive outcome, and one which confirms the UK Government’s continued commitment to meeting St Helena’s reasonable assistance needs.”
Chief Minister Julie Thomas commented:
“We are grateful to the UK Government for delivering an increase of 5% on our annual financial settlement, particularly set against the challenging global and UK context. Special thanks are extended to Minister Doughty for his ongoing support to the British Overseas Territories, especially noting St Helena being an aid dependent territory. To receive such an outcome during unprecedented times is a clear demonstration of the strength of partnership between SHG and the FCDO. It also cements the need for us to continue to strive to work closely together to achieve the best outcome for St Helena.”
“Despite this positive outcome, as a government we will still need to continue to take hard and difficult decisions, which I appreciate will not be well-received. However due to our financial position we will simply not be able to address all of my government’s policy priorities and will have to focus on fulfilling our essential needs.”
