2017 Edition

Background

The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early Spanish and French settlements were succeeded by an English colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Barbuda devastating the island and forcing the evacuation of the population to Antigua. Almost all the structures on Barbuda were destroyed and the vegetation stripped, but Antigua was spared the worst.

Area

442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) 442.6 sq km 0 sq km includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

land

442.6 sq km

note

includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

total

442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

153 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Obama 402 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mount Obama 402 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

water management - a major concern because of limited natural freshwater resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

17 03 N, 61 48 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1.3 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

20.5% arable land 9.1%; permanent crops 2.3%; permanent pasture 9.1% 22.3% 57.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

20.5%

forest

22.3%

other

57.2% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

23.09% (male 11,116/female 10,760) 16.83% (male 7,939/female 8,008) 42.19% (male 18,268/female 21,695) 9.83% (male 4,179/female 5,130) 8.06% (male 3,279/female 4,357) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

23.09% (male 11,116/female 10,760)

15-24 years

16.83% (male 7,939/female 8,008)

25-54 years

42.19% (male 18,268/female 21,695)

55-64 years

9.83% (male 4,179/female 5,130)

65 years and over

8.06% (male 3,279/female 4,357) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

45.2 35.7 9.6 10.5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

9.6

potential support ratio

10.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

45.2

youth dependency ratio

35.7

Drinking water source

urban: 97.9% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 97.9% of population urban: 2.1% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

2.1% of population

total

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.1% of population

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

black 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, hispanic 2.7%, white 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

13.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Antiguan creole

Life expectancy at birth

76.7 years 74.6 years 79 years (2017 est.)

female

79 years (2017 est.)

male

74.6 years

total population

76.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling 99% 98.4% 99.4% (2012 est.)

definition

age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling

female

99.4% (2012 est.)

male

98.4%

total population

99%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

SAINT JOHN'S (capital) 22,000 (2014)

Median age

31.9 years 30 years 33.5 years (2017 est.)

female

33.5 years (2017 est.)

male

30 years

total

31.9 years

Nationality

Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) Antiguan, Barbudan

adjective

Antiguan, Barbudan

noun

Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)

Net migration rate

2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.9% (2016)

Population

94,731 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

1.21% (2017 est.)

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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 91.4% of population rural: 91.4% of population total: 91.4% of population urban: 8.6% of population rural: 8.6% of population total: 8.6% of population (2011 est.)

rural

8.6% of population

total

8.6% of population (2011 est.)

urban

8.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 15 years (2012)

female

15 years (2012)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.84 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.82 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.9 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

23% of total population (2017) -0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

23% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Saint John's 17 07 N, 61 51 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

17 07 N, 61 51 W

name

Saint John's

time difference

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

Citizenship

yes yes yes 7 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

several previous; latest presented 31 July 1981, effective 31 October 1981 (Antigua and Barbuda Constitutional Order 1981); amended 2009, 2011 (2016)

Country name

none Antigua and Barbuda "antiguo" is Spanish for "ancient" or "old"; the island was discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and, according to tradition, named by him after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville; "barbuda" is Spanish for "bearded" and the adjective may refer to the alleged beards of the indigenous people or to the island's bearded fig trees

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Antigua and Barbuda

etymology

"antiguo" is Spanish for "ancient" or "old"; the island was discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and, according to tradition, named by him after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville; "barbuda" is Spanish for "bearded" and the adjective may refer to the alleged beards of the indigenous people or to the island's bearded fig trees

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015) 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] (202) 362-5122 [1] (202) 362-5525 Miami, New York

chancery

3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

chief of mission

Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 362-5525

telephone

[1] (202) 362-5122

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014) Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014) Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

cabinet

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

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014)

Flag description

red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

1 November 1981 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, 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

Judicial branch

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - 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 is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 2 assigned to Antigua and Barbuda chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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 Industrial Court; Magistrates' Courts

highest court(s)

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - 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 is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 2 assigned to Antigua and Barbuda

judge selection and term of office

chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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

Legal system

common law based on the English model

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives - last held on 12 June 2014 (next to be held in 2019) percent of vote by party - ALP 56.5%, UPP 42%, other 1.5%; seats by party - ALP 14, UPP 3

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - ALP 56.5%, UPP 42%, other 1.5%; seats by party - ALP 14, UPP 3

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 12 June 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

National anthem

"Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS

name

"Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee"

note

adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 November (1981)

National symbol(s)

fallow deer; national colors: red, white, blue, black, yellow

fallow deer; national colors

red, white, blue, black, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Gaston BROWNE] Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Trevor WALKER] Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS] Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL] Progressive Labor Movement or PLM United National Democratic Party or UNDP United Progressive Party or UPP [W. Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of ACLM, PLM, UNDP)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [Wigley GEORGE] People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock

Budget

$279.1 million $301.7 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$301.7 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$279.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010) 6.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.61% (31 December 2016 est.) 9.84% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$2 million (2016 est.) $-175.4 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$441.2 million (31 December 2012) $458 million (June 2010)

Economy - overview

Tourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) 2.7 (2012 est.)

Exports

$56.5 million (2016 est.) $58 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals

Exports - partners

Poland 53.2%, UK 12.7%, Cameroon 7.2%, Germany 5.5%, US 4.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

69.2% 16.3% 21.9% 0.1% 32.9% -40.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

32.9%

government consumption

16.3%

household consumption

69.2%

imports of goods and services

-40.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.9%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.3% 20.2% 77.5% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.3%

industry

20.2%

services

77.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,400 (2016 est.) $24,400 (2015 est.) $23,700 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) 5.1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.46 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.288 billion (2016 est.) $2.145 billion (2015 est.) $2.039 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 30.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 26.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$407.3 million (2016 est.) $439.2 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil

Imports - partners

US 44.3%, Japan 4.7%, China 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.5% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

30,000 (1991)

Labor force - by occupation

7% 11% 82% (1983)

agriculture

7%

industry

11%

services

82% (1983)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

92.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 99.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.194 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.148 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$913 million (31 December 2016 est.) $882.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$293 million (31 December 2016 est.) $257.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

600,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

306.9 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

87,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

330 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

9,358 91% 100% 80% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

80% (2012)

electrification - total population

91%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

9,358

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

90.55 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,884 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

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 15 radio stations, some broadcasting on multiple frequencies (2009)

Internet country code

.ag

Internet users

60,000 65.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

65.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

60,000

Telephone system

good automatic telephone system fixed-line teledensity roughly 24 per 100 persons (2016); mobile-cellular teledensity is about 135 per 100 persons (2015) country code - 1-268; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cable systems with links to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands) and Guadeloupe (France) (2016)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity roughly 24 per 100 persons (2016); mobile-cellular teledensity is about 135 per 100 persons (2015)

general assessment

good automatic telephone system

international

country code - 1-268; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cable systems with links to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands) and Guadeloupe (France) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

22,504 24 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

24 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

22,504

Telephones - mobile cellular

126,000 136 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

136 (July 2016 est.)

total

126,000

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

total

1

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V2 (2016)

Merchant marine

1,257 bulk carrier 49, cargo 753, carrier 6, chemical tanker 4, container 407, liquefied gas 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 2 1,215 (Albania 1, Colombia 1, Denmark 20, Estonia 10, Germany 1094, Greece 4, Iceland 10, Latvia 16, Lithuania 3, Mexico 1, Netherlands 17, Norway 9, NZ 2, Poland 2, Russia 3, Switzerland 7, Turkey 7, UK 1, US 7) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 49, cargo 753, carrier 6, chemical tanker 4, container 407, liquefied gas 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 2

foreign-owned

1,215 (Albania 1, Colombia 1, Denmark 20, Estonia 10, Germany 1094, Greece 4, Iceland 10, Latvia 16, Lithuania 3, Mexico 1, Netherlands 17, Norway 9, NZ 2, Poland 2, Russia 3, Switzerland 7, Turkey 7, UK 1, US 7) (2010)

total

1,257

National air transport system

1,039,809 526,545 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

526,545 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,039,809

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

9

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Saint John's

major seaport(s)

Saint John's

Roadways

1,170 km 386 km 784 km (2011)

paved

386 km

total

1,170 km

unpaved

784 km (2011)

Military branches

Ministry of National Security, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (includes Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard) (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Governor-General has powers to call up men for national service and set the age at which they could be called up (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center

Trafficking in persons

Antigua and Barbuda is a destination and transit country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; forced prostitution has been reported in bars, taverns, and brothels, while forced labor occurs in domestic service and the retail sector Tier 2 Watch List – Antigua and Barbuda does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government made no discernible progress in convicting traffickers in 2014 but charged two individuals in separate cases; efforts to convict traffickers have been impeded by a 2014 ruling that found the 2010 anti-trafficking act was unconstitutional because jurisdiction rests with the Magistrate’s Court rather than the High Court; no new prosecutions, convictions, or punishments were recorded in 2014; credible sources have raised concerns about trafficking-related complicity among some off-duty police officers, which could hinder investigations or victims willingness to report offenses; prevention efforts were sustained, but progress in protecting victims was uneven; seven victims were assisted, which was an increase over 2013 (2015)

current situation

Antigua and Barbuda is a destination and transit country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; forced prostitution has been reported in bars, taverns, and brothels, while forced labor occurs in domestic service and the retail sector

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Antigua and Barbuda does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government made no discernible progress in convicting traffickers in 2014 but charged two individuals in separate cases; efforts to convict traffickers have been impeded by a 2014 ruling that found the 2010 anti-trafficking act was unconstitutional because jurisdiction rests with the Magistrate’s Court rather than the High Court; no new prosecutions, convictions, or punishments were recorded in 2014; credible sources have raised concerns about trafficking-related complicity among some off-duty police officers, which could hinder investigations or victims willingness to report offenses; prevention efforts were sustained, but progress in protecting victims was uneven; seven victims were assisted, which was an increase over 2013 (2015)