Bowen Says Government Misled Public on GDP, Per Capita Income in Throne Speech
Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen is accusing the government of presenting inaccurate and misleading economic figures in the 2026 Throne Speech, arguing that the numbers do not match World Bank data and paint a distorted picture of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic reality.
Speaking at the United Progressive Party’s town hall meeting, Bowen said the GDP figure cited in the speech—stating that the economy was valued at US $802 million in the year 2000—was not supported by international data.
He told supporters he reviewed the World Bank’s figures himself and found that the nominal GDP in 2000 was more than US $900 million, and that the inflation-adjusted figure was approximately US $1.19 billion. “Where do you get 800,000 from those two numbers?” he asked.
Bowen also disputed the government’s claim of 300 percent GDP growth over the past 25 years, saying the real increase is closer to 40 percent when inflation is taken into account. He insisted that the administration “deflated” the historical figure and “inflated” newer ones to bolster its narrative of economic progress.
He further challenged the Throne Speech’s assertion that per-capita income has reached US $60,000, calling it mathematically impossible for most working households.
Bowen pointed out that the government employs roughly a quarter of the national labour force and that “more than 50 percent of the people on the government payroll earn less than $3,000” per month.
He said only a small group—“about 153 persons”—earn extremely high incomes, many through government contracts, and those earnings heavily skew national averages.
“The real, real, real people in Antigua are suffering,” Bowen said, arguing that the country’s economic indicators are being lifted by a tiny elite while the majority of residents are not seeing the benefits.
Bowen said the administration’s economic messaging is designed to “look better” on paper, but the figures presented “are not true” and fail to reflect living conditions for most residents. He called on the public to examine official data closely and demand accuracy and transparency from the government.
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This man needs a class in economics 101
he has NO MORAL AUTHORITY to speak on anything. not even the environment.
You need a class is “how to be truthful”. You always skew facts in favour of your political slant. You need to learn how to be truthful and not base facts on your political preference.
“Bowen, a lawyer and accountant by profession, was charged for the murder of Tessa Barthley. Ms. Barthley was shot in her neck on 16 th December 2003 outside Bowen’s office at Nevis Street, St. John’s. She died on 23 rd December 2003.”
“They heard what sounded like a firecracker. Shortly thereafter, Constable Charles went towards his vehicle which was parked in the vicinity of Bowen’s office. He saw Bowen sitting on the steps of the building which housed his office. He saw Ms. Barthley lying on the ground not far from his motor car.”
@Not So Common..You to need a class in economics 101 if you can’t discern the folly in some of his arguments.
I don’t know where the source for the 60k USD per capital income comes from but that doesn’t seem right at all I personally not a fan of per cap income since it’s literally just total income divided by the population it doesn’t say much about the standard of living and rich people will inflate it. Median or Mode income tells you a more accurate picture of things especially since Antigua doesn’t have a progressive income and all taxes are at point of sale and imports so we just pay higher prices over all for goods, like quoted most people make around 3000 per month.
Which also brings me to something I heard on WTP radio station by Colin James a couple weeks ago where he was basically dissing the UPP progressive income tax saying a pilot was paying $1300 per month by using maths and the tax brackets UPP implanted where most people didnt even pay tax since everyone below $3500 was exempt and until $15000 was 8 percent and above that is at 25% rate that pilot was making ~$16000 per month saying he made people lose disposable income. Like the people who benefited the most from removing the income tax was ALP.
Factoring the CIP millionaires, crooks who holds our passport will definitely play a part.
These statistics do not butter the bread of the poor!
I was wondering the same thing, how on earth this $60,000 occur when the average people I met were making around $2000, (maybe $3000, if they are lucky), in 2022, 2023, 2024 and it seems also in 2025. I do believe that if the ABLP executive my plans in selling shares and bonds to employees and the public, this $60,000ecd can be accomplished.
Folks I met were making about $350 a week, $450 a week, $500 a week and the highest wast $650 a week. It is near impossible for $60,000 a year to be accurate.
The ECONOMIC CAKE was never meant to be shared equally. But certainly FAIRLEY. if you are not a RISK TAKER you will not reap any reward. if you are not a GO GETTER you will not be given anything. A growing economy brings lots of opportunities. No one can push you to see them and to take them. or to position yourself to get some. We just heard the expectations of the tourism number for the upcoming tourism season. Have you position yourself to take advantage of this inflow of money that will come. Have you start any business that is to benefit from the tourists. And then comes the marketing of your business. Vendors complaining, the tourists are not buying. But when you ask them what is it they have done to attract the tourists to their shop, they cannot show or tell you anything. Just sitting there and doing nothing, believe me, will not bring the guests to you. There are several courses one can take in how to sell. Consumer Psychology. Understanding the trade business. Some people have a naturel born gift of being customer friendly. Others need to be trained. A smile goes a long way. And invite a person to approach you. A compliment also goes a long way. Oh how lovely you look today. Anyway, this is just to show that many sit in their lazy seat and expect to benefit from this growing economy. While other position themselves to benefits from it. I see these colorful little three wheel vehicles in town lately and many years ago when on vacation in Portugal I saw them their as well. I see some guys driving on the road with electric scooters. Portugal they are everywhere and you can rent them where ever you see them by just swiping your credit card. And they will give you a ride for lets say one hour. They have GPS systems and the owner can monitor and see where ever they are and collect them. Will someone here see this opportunity and start such a business? I mean are we Antiguans lacking ideas. Well just go to Google and ask AI for some Ideas and you will get a whole list. Put your ideas on paper with some numbers and present your business plan to either the bank or to the Entrepreneurial Development Fund for financing. But I really don’t think these are capital intensive businesses. We need a proper and bigger Art and Craft Market. So that local artisans can showcase their products to the tourists that want to buy specific arts from Antiguans. Not the made in China that the vendors keep selling. Those in the watersport have covered most of the tours with their Catamarans. Those are Capital Intensive Ventures and you can see who are the persons putting their money in this industry. Locals prefer to take a loan for five years and purchase a car of about $200K. The Caucasian and Syrian rather invest that money in a business. And get returns from it. So yes the pie is not shared equally but FAIRLY. And position yourself to get you share. As King Obstinate sang. Get what you can get.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7CmXU1KItI&list=RDn7CmXU1KItI&start_radio=1
@Less We Forget your Serians, Arians, Caucasians, Chinese, Arab investors get perks, incentives, tax breaks, that the locals don’t get unless you’re gonna kiss politicians ass. Hotel owners are a prime example of the BOBOL order.
@ Less We Forget,
The National Anthem says: “Each endeavoring, all achieving”. Those line are aspirational rather than the rule of law.
The success of Entrepreneurship in Antigua is based on who you know and who you pay.
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