Table of Contents
Overview
Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean island nation consisting of Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda, with a land area of 440 km². Its capital is St. John’s, and the population is about 100,000. The service-based economy relies heavily on tourism. English is the official language.
Agriculture
Agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda is small but vital, contributing about 2–4 % of GDP. Main crops include bananas, coconuts, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Livestock such as cattle, pigs, goats, and poultry support local livelihoods.
Crime
Antigua and Barbuda generally has moderate crime levels, with property crimes such as breaking and entering, theft, and burglary occurring more often than violent crime. According to the Crime Index 2025, Antigua and Barbuda has a crime rate higher than the global average, particularly in categories like theft and robberies, while rates of homicide and violent offences remain relatively low compared with many Caribbean peers.
Demographics
Antigua and Barbuda has a population of about 94,462 people as of January, 2026. Most residents live on Antigua (97 %), with the remainder on Barbuda. The population is relatively young and working-age, with roughly 22% aged 0–14 years, 68% aged 15–64, and about 10% aged 65+, yielding a median age of ~33–36 years. The country is moderately urbanised (≈24 % urban), and the main ethnic group is people of African descent, with English and Antiguan Creole widely spoken.
Economy
Antigua and Barbuda has a small, open economy heavily dominated by tourism and services. Tourism contributes the largest share of output and employment, with services accounting for around three-quarters of GDP. The country’s nominal GDP is about USD 2.3 billion in 2025, with a GDP per capita of USD 22,300. Other sectors include construction, light manufacturing, and agriculture, mostly serving the domestic market. The economy depends on imports of food, fuel, and machinery, and is vulnerable to natural disasters and external shocks, but continues to pursue growth and diversification.
Education
Education in Antigua and Barbuda is free and compulsory from ages 5 to 16, following a system modelled on the British tradition with primary, junior, and senior secondary levels. Literacy is very high, and most school-age children attend school from early childhood through secondary school. The government invests heavily in education, with universal access to secondary education and growing tertiary participation.
Geography
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, situated at the northern end of the Leeward Islands. Antigua is the larger island (~281 km²), while Barbuda is smaller (~161 km²). The islands are low-lying and volcanic, featuring sandy beaches, coral reefs, and a tropical climate. The terrain is mostly coastal plains with some low hills. Antigua’s capital is St. John’s, located on the northwest coast, and the islands are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes.
Health
Antigua and Barbuda’s health outcomes reflect the benefits of a developed Caribbean health system with high immunization coverage and moderate health expenditure. Life expectancy is around 77–78 years, and infant mortality has declined substantially over recent decades. Non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes are common, while communicable diseases like tuberculosis occur at low rates. The country spends about 5.7–5.8 % of GDP on health.
Military
Antigua and Barbuda maintains a small defence force known as the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF). It includes a Regiment (army), Coast Guard, Air Wing, Cadet Corps, and support units, but is one of the world’s smallest militaries. The ABDF’s roles include internal security, maritime patrol, disaster response, and support to police in law-and-order duties. Service is voluntary for people aged 18–23 with no conscription. The country participates in the Caribbean Regional Security System, sharing defence cooperation with neighbouring states.
Miscellaneous
Antigua and Barbuda is famously described as having 365 beaches, symbolically offering one beach for every day of the year. These beaches range from long, white-sand coastlines to small, secluded coves, spread mainly across Antigua’s irregular coastline. Their abundance supports tourism, sailing, and coastal livelihoods, making beaches a defining natural and economic feature of the country.
Religion
Christianity is the dominant religion in Antigua and Barbuda, with the majority of the population identifying with Protestant denominations. Anglicanism is the largest single denomination, followed by other Protestant groups such as Seventh-day Adventists and Pentecostals. Roman Catholics form a smaller but significant community, and there are also people who follow other religions or none at all. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Weather
Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures year‑round and distinct dry (Dec–Apr) and wet (May–Nov) seasons. Dry season months are ideal for outdoor activities, while the wet season brings more frequent rain, especially September–October. Trade winds help moderate temperatures, and hurricane risk is highest in June–November. Annual rainfall totals under 1,250 mm, with most rain in late summer and early autumn.