Antigua and Barbuda

Introduction

Background
The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands in 2400 B.C., but the Arawaks populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Geography

Area
total : 443 sq km
land: 443 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Natural resources
NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

People and Society

Population
total: 102,634 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
African descent 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Languages
English (official), Antiguan Creole (an English-based creole)

Religions
Protestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%, unspecified 5.5%, none 5.9% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
1.11% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Saint John's

Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015)

Economy

Economic overview
dual island-tourism and construction-driven economy; emerging “blue economy”; limited water supply and susceptibility to hurricanes limit activity; improving road infrastructure; friendly to foreign direct investment; looking at financial innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.772 billion (2024 est.)
$2.657 billion (2023 est.)
$2.594 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$29,600 (2024 est.)
$28,500 (2023 est.)
$27,900 (2022 est.)

Exports
$1.314 billion (2024 est.)
$1.185 billion (2023 est.)
$1.111 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Suriname 29%, Poland 21%, USA 8%, Dominican Republic 7%, Australia 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, soybean meal, shellfish, paintings (2023)

Imports
$1.282 billion (2024 est.)
$1.273 billion (2023 est.)
$1.227 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
USA 43%, Poland 6%, China 5%, UK 4%, Germany 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, furniture (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.851, ranking it 53rd out of 193 countries tested. (more information)