Employment levels continue to grow

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is showing signs of recovery as it works to regain the losses it suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, announced that the numbers of employed and self-employed contributors have been steadily increasing, with a reported 43,946 contributors earning a total of $975 million from January to September 2023.

This growth in employment and income has been made possible by the stability of the labor market and the robust economic growth that the country has experienced.

As a result, the Social Security Board has seen a 12% increase in contribution income from January to October 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, which reflects the vitality of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic recovery.

The Social Security Scheme is a cornerstone of the country’s social fabric, and its financial strength fortifies the stability of the social protection architecture, positioning the Board to navigate unforeseen challenges as exemplified by its adept management of pension payments since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister forecasts that with sustained economic growth and the implementation of adjustments approved in 2016, the Social Security Board is poised for an even stronger position to fulfill its pension obligations and other vital benefits, safeguarding the well-being of many of the country’s people.

Overall, Antigua and Barbuda has recovered approximately one thousand jobs each year since the pandemic in 2020, demonstrating the positive effects of the government’s policies.