Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is poised to reach nearly $7 billion in national output next year, projecting 5 percent economic growth and what he describes as the country’s strongest fiscal footing in decades.
The forecast was delivered Thursday as Browne presented the 2026 national budget, themed “People-Centered Growth and Development.” The Prime Minister said the country has moved from the brink of collapse 11 years ago to a position of sustained surpluses, rising employment and expanding economic activity.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s projections, real GDP is set to grow by 5 percent in 2026, pushing the size of the economy close to the $7 billion mark for the first time. Browne said the gains reflect “disciplined economic management, strategic investments and broad-based expansion across tourism, construction and financial services.”
He cited preliminary figures showing 4.8 percent GDP growth in 2025 and noted that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen to 61.4 percent — approaching the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s 60 percent benchmark. The administration is also projecting a primary surplus of more than $250 million for 2025 and an overall surplus exceeding $116 million.
Browne told Parliament that Antigua and Barbuda “no longer resembles the fragile, post-crisis economy of a decade ago,” saying job creation, increased visitor spending and a construction boom have reshaped the economic landscape. He pointed to record tourism arrivals, expanding port activity and higher domestic consumption as indicators of strong underlying demand.
The Prime Minister said the fiscal outlook places the country in a better position to expand social programs, invest in infrastructure and accelerate resilience-building projects. He added that the government’s policy mix — from eliminating personal income tax to scaling up capital investments — helped stabilize and then grow the economy despite global turbulence.
The budget debate continues next week, when ministers will outline sector-specific plans tied to the growth projections.
