Antigua and Barbuda

The Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda have been independent states within the British Commonwealth since 1981. Tourism dominates the economy of the islands, and Antigua and Barbuda have experienced an economic slowdown since the beginning of the 21st century.

Around seven percent of the labor force on the islands are involved in agriculture, which furnishes food for the islands. Fresh water is limited, making irrigation difficult. Periodic droughts are also a danger to crops. Manufacturing centers on bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Local manufacturers run into problems when trying to hire workers because islanders are able to make more money working in the tourist industry [Page 40]than in other industries. Nevertheless, there is an 11 percent unemployment rate.

Data are not always available for Antigua and Barbuda on major social indicators, making poverty analysis more difficult. The islands have a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $9,160. The poverty level is estimated at 12 percent, but the number may be higher. Most of the poor are single mothers and their dependent children. About 10 percent of island children under the age of 5 are malnourished. Based on partial data, the United Nations Human Development Report ranks Antigua and Barbuda 55 of 177 on general qual-ity-of-life issues. This ranking is high for the region.

The population of 68,722 enjoys a life expectancy of 71.9 years and a median age of 26.97 years. Life expectancy has increased steadily over the past decades, particularly among females, who can expect to outlive males by at least five years. Approximately 28 percent of the population are under the age of 14, and 4.1 percent of the people have reached the age of 65. Most islanders have easy access to safe water (91 percent) and proper sanitation (95 percent). There are 105 physicians for every 100,000 residents, and 50 to 80 percent of the population can afford essential drugs.

Infant mortality is relatively low at 19.46 deaths per 1,000 live births. Female infants are hardier, with a 15.29 per 1,000 death rate as opposed to 23.43 for male infants. In 2003, infant mortality was reported at 11 deaths per 1,000, and the mortality for all children under the age of 5 was recorded at 12 deaths out of 1,000. Around 10 percent of all children under the age of 5 are malnourished, and four percent are severely underweight. Approximately 11 percent of island babies are underweight at birth. About 10 percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from moderate to severe wasting, and seven percent experience moderate to severe stunting. Childhood immunizations are almost 100 percent among children from birth to 23 months, with only one percent failing to be immunized.

Since 1990 the total fertility rate of women on the islands has been recorded at 1.7 children per woman. Adolescent fertility stands at 62 per 1,000. Between 1980 and 2005, the number of women using birth control increased from 48 to 53 percent. Trained medical staff attend 100 percent of all births, and all women on the islands have easy access to prenatal and antenatal care. Maternal mortality is estimated at 150 out of 100,000 live births.

...