Antigua and Barbuda received the status of an autonomous state only in the year of 1981. But in fact, the governance of the country is concentrated in the hands of the British monarch. Currently, Antigua and Barbuda is an official member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Climatic conditions
The islands of Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda have a humid tropical climate. The average air temperature varies from +25°С to +27°С. In July, the thermometer columns often reach the mark of +32° C. The year-round heat is compensated by the trade winds that blow from the East.
The dry season (December to May) is dominated by sunny weather with minimal precipitation quantity. The wet season, which lasts from June to November, is characterized by heavy rains, high humidity and frequent hurricanes. Throughout the year, the temperature of the water in the sea does not drop below +26° C.
The tropical climate allows the development of agriculture and tourism on the islands.
Demography
About 98% of the country's population lives on the island of Antigua. Most of the inhabitants are Africans (94%). The share of mulattoes is 4%, and Jews, Arabs and Asians – less than 3%. The official language in Antigua and Barbuda is English. But a significant part of the population communicates in "Antiguan Creole", which is a combination of Portuguese, English, Spanish and Native American dialects. Almost all the inhabitants of the island state profess Christianity.
The religious composition of the local population is represented by: Anglicans (17.6%); Seventh-day Adventists (12.4%); Pentecostals (12.2%), "Moravian brothers" (8.3%), Roman Catholics (8.2%), adherents of other Christian trends (more than 5%). Less than 1% of the population in Antigua and Barbuda profess Hinduism, Baháʼí Faith and Islam.
The average life expectancy on exotic islands is 73.5 years (males) and 77.6 years (females).
According to the countrymeters portal, a relatively low demographic load factor of 48.5% was recorded on the islands of Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. This means that the number of working-age residents exceeds the number of children, people with disabilities and the elderly by almost two times. Antigua and Barbuda has a minimal influx of migrants. In 2024, the average birth rate was 5 people per day, and the mortality rate was 2 people.
Economy
The main sources of the budget replenishment of the island state are agriculture and tourism. The country grows cotton, vegetables and bananas, which are supplied to the world market. But over the past decades, there has been a decrease in the contribution of agriculture to GDP, which today is slightly more than 10%. This trend is explained by soil depletion, regular droughts and the reluctance of local residents to work on plantations in the fields.
The country has a developed fishing industry, but almost all production in the sea goes to the domestic market. Only some species of fish (to the Martinique island) and lobsters purchased by the United States are exported.
The share of the tourism industry in the country's GDP is about 44%, and it still remains the main driver of economic development. The country's authorities offer foreigners citizenship in exchange for participation in profitable investment projects in real estate, banking and tourism.
Per capita GDP in Antigua and Barbuda in 2023 was $17,902 (taking into account purchasing power parity of $28,665). The inflation rate, according to the Internet resource svspb, reached 5.1% last year.
Freedom of movement
Citizenship of an island state provides access to visa-free crossing of the borders of 99 countries of the world. The Antigua and Barbuda passport holder will have to apply for an entry permit on arrival in 39 foreign countries. The electronic format of the visa for citizens living on the islands of the Caribbean is provided in 5 countries. Antigua and Barbuda is ranked 26th in the Passport Index.