Country Profile: Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation located in the Caribbean, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture. The islands, which are mostly low-lying limestone and coral, are home to approximately 102,634 residents, with the majority living on Antigua. The economy primarily centers around tourism and construction, with recent developments in the blue economy and cryptocurrency. The country operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

Geography

Antigua and Barbuda is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico. The total land area is 443 sq km, with Antigua encompassing 280 sq km and Barbuda 161 sq km. The terrain features low-lying limestone and coral islands with some volcanic regions, while the highest point is Mount Obama at 402 m.

153 km of coastline.
0 km of land boundaries.
20.5% of land used for agriculture (2023).
18% of land covered by forest (2023).
97% of the population resides in Antigua.

People and Society

The estimated population of Antigua and Barbuda is 102,634 as of 2024, with a higher number of females (54,323) compared to males (48,311). The population is predominantly of African descent (87.3%), and English is the official language. The country has a relatively young demographic, with 21.8% under 15 years of age and a median age of 34.1 years.

68.3% of the population identifies as Protestant.
14.7 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
5.9% of the population reports no religious affiliation.
78.3 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
24.3% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).

Economy

Antigua and Barbuda's economy is driven by tourism, construction, and emerging sectors like the blue economy. The estimated GDP at purchasing power parity in 2024 is $2.772 billion, with a projected growth rate of 4.3%. The economy has seen fluctuations with a public debt of 86.2% of GDP reported in 2016.

69.1% of the GDP comes from services (2023).
1.9% of the GDP is from agriculture (2023).
$1.314 billion in exports expected in 2024.
$1.282 billion in imports expected in 2024.
6.2% inflation rate projected for 2024.

Government

Antigua and Barbuda is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, gaining independence from the UK on November 1, 1981. The capital is Saint John's. The executive branch is headed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, with the Governor General representing King Charles III.

18 members in the House of Representatives.
41.2% representation of women in the Senate (2023).
5 years term for elected representatives.
The latest election was held on January 18, 2023.
The constitution was last amended in 1981.

Military and Security

The Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) consists of about 300 active personnel and is responsible for internal security, drug interdiction, and disaster response. The military equipment includes small arms and light vehicles, and there is no conscription in the country.

93.6% of military capacity relies on fossil fuels (2023).
The ABDF was established in 1981.
The country participates in the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS).
Defense responsibilities include maritime resource monitoring and support to law enforcement.

Energy

Electricity in Antigua and Barbuda is fully accessible to the population (100% coverage as of 2022). The electricity generation heavily relies on fossil fuels, comprising 93.6% of the installed capacity, with a small share from solar sources.

148,000 kW of installed generating capacity (2023).
322.923 million kWh consumed in 2023.
Total energy consumption per capita of 110.114 million Btu (2023).

Environment

Antigua and Barbuda faces environmental challenges, such as limited freshwater resources and vulnerability to hurricanes. The islands are active participants in several international environmental agreements, including those concerning biodiversity and climate change.

20.5% of land is agricultural (2023).
Annual CO2 emissions are estimated at 725,000 metric tonnes (2023).
15.3% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 4 airports and a single major port located in St. John's, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers. The country has a small merchant marine fleet and maintains a bilateral civil aircraft registration country code of V2.

614 total vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
2 heliports operational (2025).

Communications

Communications in Antigua and Barbuda include a mix of fixed lines and mobile cellular subscriptions. The country enjoys internet penetration of about 78% of the population, supplemented by a state-controlled broadcasting service.

186,182 mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).
27,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2021).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	102,634 (2024 est.)
Area	443 sq km	(total area)
GDP (PPP)	$2.772 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	110.114 million Btu (2023 est.)
Birth rate	14.7 births/1,000 population (2025)
Unemployment rate	Not provided	Data not available
Life expectancy at birth	78.3 years (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate	1.92 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Inflation rate	6.2% (2024 est.)	Consumer prices
Urban population	24.3% of total population (2023)