Antigua and Barbuda

The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but the Arawaks populated the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early Spanish and French settlements were succeeded by an English colony in 1667. Slavery, which provided labor on the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Barbuda, devastating the island and forcing the evacuation of the population to Antigua. Almost all of the structures on Barbuda were destroyed and the vegetation stripped, but Antigua was spared the worst.

17 03 N, 61 48 W

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

limited natural freshwater resources; water management hampered by tree-clearing to increase crop production, causing rapid rainfall runoff

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

153 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 20.5% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 9.1% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 2.3% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 9.1% (2023 est.)

Forest: 18% (2023 est.)

Other: 61.5% (2023 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor

mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Central America and the Caribbean

1.3 sq km (2012)

52 million cubic meters (2022)

the island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington

Highest point: Mount Obama 402 m

Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Total : 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

Land: 443 sq km

Water: 0 sq km

Note: Includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 11,384/female 11,034)

15-64 years: 67.6% (male 32,312/female 37,094)

65 years and over: 10.5% (2024 est.) (male 4,615/female 6,195)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)

Adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan

Urban population: 24.3% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 98.3% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 1.7% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)

21,000 SAINT JOHN'S (capital) (2018)

3.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 47.9 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 32.3 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 15.6 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 6.4 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 95.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 98% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 97.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 4.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 2.6% of population (2022 est.)

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

Note: Data represent population by ethnic group

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.)

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

2.92 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

5.9% of GDP (2021)

14% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.94 (2024 est.)

2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 33.9 years (2024 est.)

Male: 31.9 years

Female: 35.7 years

35 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.93 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 102,634 (2024 est.)

Male: 48,311

Female: 54,323

Total: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births

18.9% (2016)

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

14.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 11.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 2.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 3.95 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 4.55 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 78.3 years (2024 est.)

Male: 76.1 years

Female: 80.5 years

3.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

5.9% national budget (2025 est.)

1.11% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 7.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 2.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 1.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 30,600 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2022 est.)

8.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

725,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 725,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

110.114 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Embassy: The US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Name: Saint John's

Geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W

Time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Etymology: Named after Saint John the Apostle

History: Several previous; latest presented 31 July 1981, effective 31 October 1981 (The Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Order 1981)

Amendment process: Proposed by either house of Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, the establishment, power, and authority of the executive and legislative branches, the Supreme Court Order, and the procedure for amending the constitution requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership of both houses, approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum, and assent to by the governor general; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by both houses

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)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Election/appointment process: The monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister

Description: Red, with an inverted isosceles triangle in the center that spans the flag from top to bottom; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band

Meaning:  The sun stands for the dawn of a new era, black for the African heritage of most of the population, blue for hope, and red for the dynamism of the people; the "V" shape of the triangle stands for victory; the yellow, blue, and white colors are also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand

1 November 1981 (from the UK)

Highest court(s): The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts

Judge selection and term of office: Chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

Subordinate courts: Industrial Court; Magistrates' Courts

common law based on the English model

Legislature name: Parliament

Legislative structure: Bicameral

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 1 November (1981)

Antigua Labor Party or ABLP
Barbuda People's Movement or BPM
Democratic National Alliance or DNA
Go Green for Life or GGL
United Progressive Party or UPP

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Conventional long form: Antigua and Barbuda

Conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda

Etymology: antiguo is Spanish for "ancient" or "old;" Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493, after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville, Spain; barbuda is Spanish for "bearded" and may refer to the island's lichen-covered fig trees

Chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015)

Chancery: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016

Telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122

FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225

Email address and website:
Embantbar@aol.com

https://www.antigua-barbuda.org/Aghome01.htm


Consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

Title: "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee"

Lyrics/music: Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS

History: Adopted 1967
_____

Title: "God Save the King"

Lyrics/music: Unknown

History: Royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

fallow deer

Citizenship by birth: Yes

Citizenship by descent only: Yes

Dual citizenship recognized: Yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Antigua Naval Dockyard (Nelson's Dockyard)

red, white, blue, black, yellow

refined petroleum, ships, soybean meal, shellfish, paintings (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

tropical fruits, milk, mangoes/guavas, eggs, lemons/limes, pumpkins/squash, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cucumbers/gherkins, yams (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $251.418 million (2014 est.)

Expenditures: $266.044 million (2014 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, furniture (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
2.7 (2024 est.)
2.7 (2023 est.)
2.7 (2022 est.)
2.7 (2021 est.)
2.7 (2020 est.)

tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

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

$2.225 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$358.441 million (2024 est.)
$364.367 million (2023 est.)
$396.506 million (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

$2.772 billion (2024 est.)
$2.657 billion (2023 est.)
$2.594 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

6.2% (2024 est.)
5.1% (2023 est.)
7.5% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$181.366 million (2024 est.)
-$271.047 million (2023 est.)
-$291.674 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$29,600 (2024 est.)
$28,500 (2023 est.)
$27,900 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

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

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

4.3% (2024 est.)
2.4% (2023 est.)
9.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

1% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 1.9% (2023 est.)

Industry: 19% (2023 est.)

Services: 69.1% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Imports: 25 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 93.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 148,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 322.923 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 38.121 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 78% (2023 est.)

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state-controlled Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) operates 1 TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; ABS operates 1 radio station; roughly 20 radio stations (2024)

Total subscriptions: 184,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 197 (2021 est.)

Total: 10,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 27,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2022 est.)

V2

4 (2025)

Total: 614 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 24, container ship 109, general cargo 425, oil tanker 6, other 50

2 (2025)

18-23 years of age for voluntary military service for both men and women; no conscription (2025)

Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF): Antigua and Barbuda Regiment, Air Wing, Coast Guard

Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) (2025)

the ABDF’s responsibilities include providing for internal security and support to the police in maintaining law and order, interdicting narcotics smuggling, responding to natural disasters, and monitoring the country’s territorial waters and maritime resources; established in 1981 from colonial forces originally created in 1897, it is one of the world’s smallest militaries

The country has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)

approximately 300 active Defense Force personnel (2025)

the ABDF's equipment inventory is limited to small arms, light weapons, and soft-skin vehicles; the Coast Guard maintains ex-US patrol vessels and some smaller boats (2025)

Refugees: 5 (2024 est.)

Total ports: 1 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 1

Small: 0

Very small: 0

Ports with oil terminals: 1

Key ports: St. John's

Chamber name: House of Representatives

Number of seats: 18 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 1/18/2023

Parties elected and seats per party: Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) (9); United Progressive Party (UPP) (6); Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) (1); Independents (1); (1); Republican Force (1)

Percentage of women in chamber: 5.6%

Expected date of next election: January 2028

Chamber name: Senate

Number of seats: 17 (all appointed)

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 2/17/2023

Percentage of women in chamber: 41.2%

Expected date of next election: February 2028