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Every Independence season, we hear about how strong our economy is. The Prime Minister tells us that Antigua and Barbuda is “growing,” that our “per-capita income” is rising, and that the country is “solid, stable, and soaring.”
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But as an ordinary working Antiguan, I can’t help but wonder — where is this growth, and who is really feeling it?
Because it surely isn’t us, the everyday people.
I walk into the supermarket and watch the prices climb higher every week.
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A bag of rice, a tin of milk, even basic fruits — everything costs more.
Light and water bills keep going up, and every time I hear about another “fuel surcharge,” I brace myself for a higher APUA bill.
Meanwhile, salaries remain the same. Most jobs still pay barely enough to cover rent, food, and transport. By the middle of the month, many of us are already broke.
So when the government says the economy is doing well, it honestly feels like someone is cooking the figures. Because the math doesn’t add up in our homes.
If the economy is “booming,” why does life feel harder? Why are young people leaving for better opportunities abroad? Why do small businesses struggle to stay open while a few well-connected ones seem to get every contract and concession?
They talk about “per-capita income,” but that’s just an average that hides the truth — a few people at the top are doing extremely well, while the rest of us are just trying to survive. You can’t eat GDP growth. You can’t pay your light bill with per-capita income.
Antiguans and Barbudans are hardworking people. We don’t expect miracles. We just want fairness, opportunity, and a system that gives everyone a chance — not just the friends and family of those in power.
After 44 years of independence, we should not still be struggling to afford groceries and utilities in a country that’s supposedly “soaring.” It’s time for real talk and real change. Growth means nothing if the people can’t feel it.
Signed,
A struggling Antiguan
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If you are struggling your priorities are probably mixed up. When I looked at the thousands of young people who spent thousands to attend every fete and show for Carnival and played the most expensive mas and then could not pay rent, car loans, and children to school etc, I just shook my head. And hundreds more went to St. Kitts for Vybz Cartel. Bad use of resources. In today’s world we must learn to adapt and economize. If Trump starts a war in the Caribbean, more pain will come.
Writer its a matter of priority. You all cry but you all patronize these $350-$500 fetes and I know antigua aint got that amount of sugar daddies to pay for the 1000s of you all that go. By the way I am looking a suggah momma.
Presidents and Prime minister looks good and stands tall when they see economic growth. Economy looking good doesn’t mean all is well with the local man, even with strong growth in some of the largest economies, people will continue to suffer. A poor man is a poor man and is the most gullible come election time, but it’s all up to you and the moves you make in life.
Someone on this page has gotten his priorities right. He avoids all the $350-$500 fetes so he’s not crying like all the others, including ‘A struggling Antiguan’ but at the same time, he’s putting out an ad for a suggah momma. Their boss knows just who he is referring to as political prostitutes.
Because when the ecomony grows, only the greedy corrupt politicians get fatter and richer!
Growth goes hand in hand with aspirations and retooling yourselves as well which means increasing your potential value and upping your skillset
As long as we have GDP, we can die hungry.
Went shopping today and bought one half bag of groceries the lady at cost pro told me is 214.00 . I dont understand
There will always be people like this in comments assuming someone it’s the person fault for not recieving an higher wage or dressing any of the points made about goods going up.
When I assume the people in comment are older at least 40+ it’s just it’s from they way they talk mostly older people stay in touch with he news but someone people assuming this person is a young person when they did they don’t have pay rise and they go fete. Ignoring the reality of when wage min wage was risen it was by 80 cents to $9 an hour APUA prices risen for water and electricity, licence fees, ABST and more.
@otto Some people spending their money on entertainment you don’t approve of is a different issue, I don’t know how can you compare people being able to travel to a different country and stay to a person saying they are struggling and living on they weekly slip. What is being listed here about the cost of living and it’s increasing price. Like you said if there is war in the Caribbean a lot of us could starve because tourism is out main industry that host most of the island employment.
The reason is, because you are not budgeting your money. If you get extra $500.00 on your pay, you will be at the same place that you are now. Go and work on a budget and things will change for you.
Antigua economy is one of best in the Caribbean. This editor and all those who complained about struggling needs to look in the mirror and realized the problem is them. Go and learn a new skill and ready some Dave Ramsey about managing your income.
This is the reality many people face. headlines boast of economic growth, but everyday life tells a different story. GDP numbers don’t always translate into higher wages, stable jobs, or affordable living. It’s a reminder that growth must be inclusive, with policies that genuinely improve the lives of ordinary citizens, not just corporate profits.
Boss, you talking facts. Every Independence same thing big speech, big words, but my pocket still empty. Gas price high, groceries high, and when payday come, it gone same day. All now, we can’t get a raise. Growth for who? Certainly not for the mason, plumber, or supermarket cashier
So the writer address his current situation and additionally lending his voice for many hard working citizens in the land who may be in that same position and some of the responses/comments are absolutely ignorant.
You’re trying to say anyone who is struggling financially to keep up with the basic necessities of life, is simply because they lack wisdom to steward their finances or they are spending their salaries on entertainment hence the reason they are struggling?
Though we are entitled to our own opinions keep in mind that there are many of us who are honest hardworking and ambitious citizen who don’t seek for a hand out. However we are woke and have many questions that is just not adding up to what we are seeing in the nation. So again yes if it doesn’t affect you it is easy to pass judgment and misleading assumptions.
The USA has the largest economy…yet still, millions depend of food stamps and subsidies. Sadly, this situation happens all around the world. Only the poor people feelin’ it.
Oh..KES was ram last night…full a poor people.
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