Country Summary
Introduction
Background
The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians 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
100,335 (2022 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
1.15% (2022 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)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general)
House of Representatives (18 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
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)
$1.76 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$18,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
tropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions
Industries
tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)
Exports
$1.15 billion (2018 est.)
Exports - partners
Poland 37%, Suriname 33%, United Arab Emirates 8% (2019)
Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, precious/semi-precious metal scraps, rice, corn (2019)
Imports
$1.12 billion (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
United States 39%, Poland 16%, China 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, cars, precious/semi-precious metals, recreational boats (2019)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Thursday, December 15, 2022
