Antigua and Barbuda Rate of Natural Increase

The rate of natural increase (RNI) in Antigua and Barbuda is relatively low compared to some of its Caribbean neighbors. As of recent estimates, Antigua and Barbuda’s RNI hovers around 0.7%, reflecting modest population growth due to a combination of low birth rates and moderate death rates. This rate is similar to other small island nations in the Eastern Caribbean, such as Saint Kitts and Nevis and Barbados, which also experience low RNIs, often below 1%. In contrast, countries like Saint Lucia and Grenada may exhibit slightly higher RNIs, but the overall trend across the region is toward slow natural population growth, largely influenced by declining fertility rates and significant emigration. Unlike some larger Caribbean nations such as the Dominican Republic or Haiti, which have historically higher RNIs due to higher birth rates, Antigua and Barbuda’s population growth is more heavily impacted by migration patterns than by natural increase.

Data from US Census International Database