Country Profile: Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation located in the Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. With a population of approximately 102,634, the economy heavily depends on tourism and construction. The nation operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. Natural hazards, particularly hurricanes, pose challenges to its development and infrastructure.

Geography

Antigua and Barbuda lie in the Caribbean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico. The country has a total land area of 443 sq km, consisting of Antigua (280 sq km) and Barbuda (161 sq km). The terrain features mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with the highest point being Mount Obama at 402 m. The islands have a tropical maritime climate with little seasonal temperature variation and experience hurricanes and tropical storms primarily from July to October.

153 km of coastline
20.5% of land is agricultural (2023 est.)
18% forest cover (2023 est.)
Barbuda has experienced significant devastation from Hurricane Irma in 2017.

People and Society

The population of Antigua and Barbuda is estimated at 102,634 in 2024, with the majority (approximately 97%) residing on the island of Antigua. The population consists predominantly of individuals of African descent (87.3%). English is the official language, while Antiguan Creole is also spoken. The country has a relatively young population, with a median age of 33.9 years.

14.9 births per 1,000 population (2024 est.)
78.3 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
1.11% population growth rate (2024 est.)
24.3% of the population is urban (2023)
5.9% of the population identifies as having no religious affiliation (2011 est.)

Economy

Antigua and Barbuda's economy is driven by tourism and construction, alongside an emerging focus on a blue economy. In 2024, the real GDP is estimated at $2.772 billion, with a growth rate of 4.3%. The service sector dominates the economy, contributing approximately 69.1% to GDP in 2023. The islands are improving infrastructure and are open to foreign investment, particularly in financial innovation.

$29,600 GDP per capita (2024 est.)
1.9% of GDP from agriculture (2023 est.)
$1.314 billion in exports (2024 est.)
$1.282 billion in imports (2024 est.)
93.6% of energy production from fossil fuels (2023 est.)

Government

Antigua and Barbuda functions as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the head of state. The country is divided into six parishes and two dependencies. The legal system is based on English common law, and the population enjoys universal suffrage at the age of 18. The most recent elections took place in January 2023.

18 seats in the House of Representatives
41.2% of Senate seats are held by women (2023)
Independence achieved on 1 November 1981
The capital is Saint John's, located at coordinates 17 07 N, 61 51 W.

Military and Security

The Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) comprises approximately 300 active personnel. The navy includes smaller vessels for coastal patrol and support roles as well as responding to national emergencies. There is no conscription in the country, and military service is voluntary for those aged 18-23.

93.6% of military equipment consists of small arms and soft-skin vehicles.
The ABDF was established in 1981.
The country is a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System since 1982.

Energy

Antigua and Barbuda has achieved 100% electricity access for its population as of 2022. The installed electricity generation capacity is 148,000 kW, with a significant reliance on fossil fuels for energy production. The country is beginning to explore solar energy as part of its energy strategy.

322.923 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023)
93.6% of generation capacity comes from fossil fuels (2023)
110.114 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

The environmental issues in Antigua and Barbuda include limited freshwater resources and challenges in water management due to deforestation. The nation is committed to several international environmental agreements, including those related to climate change and biodiversity conservation.

15.3% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022)
52 million cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022)
Municipal water withdrawal is 7.2 million cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Antigua and Barbuda has four airports and an active merchant marine fleet consisting of 614 vessels. The primary port of St. John's facilitates significant maritime trade. The country has two heliports and is enhancing its road infrastructure to support tourism.

1 medium port available as of 2024
2 heliports scheduled for operation by 2025
4 airports projected to be operational by 2025.

Communications

The telecommunications infrastructure is developing, with approximately 78% of the population being internet users as of 2023. The country has state-controlled broadcasting services and multiple radio stations.

184,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2021)
29 fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022)
10,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	102,634 (2024 est.)
Area	443 sq km
GDP	$2.772 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
Electricity Access	100%	Total population electrification
Life Expectancy	78.3 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	14.9 births/1,000 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	Not specified
Energy Consumption	110.114 million Btu/person (2023)
Total Fertility Rate	1.93 children born/woman (2024 est.)