Antigua and Barbuda Hits Record High of Licensed Vehicles in 2023
The Statistics Division of Antigua and Barbuda has reported that the number of licensed vehicles at the end of 2023 reached a record high of 45,038. This milestone underscores the steady growth in private vehicle ownership in the country and reflects significant economic advancements over the past decade.
The figure represents a substantial increase from the 32,000 vehicles recorded in 2013, marking a 41% rise in private vehicle ownership within ten years. This trend highlights the growing purchasing power of citizens and improvements in household financial capacity.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in his 2025 Budget presentation, attributed this growth to the country’s strong economic recovery and the government’s focus on creating an environment conducive to upward mobility. “The increase in private vehicle ownership reflects the improving financial resilience of our people and the effectiveness of our economic policies,” Browne stated.
The rise in vehicle ownership comes on the back of Antigua and Barbuda’s impressive economic performance. The country achieved an average annual GDP growth rate of 7.4% between 2021 and 2023, outperforming most regional economies. This economic expansion has provided citizens with greater access to financing options for vehicle purchases and has stimulated demand for private transportation.
The government’s policies to boost disposable income and its decision to refrain from introducing direct personal income taxes have also contributed to the increase. “We have worked tirelessly to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to improve their quality of life, and vehicle ownership is one clear indicator of that success,” Browne remarked.
While the increase in licensed vehicles is a positive sign of economic progress, it also raises challenges related to road infrastructure and traffic management. The government has acknowledged the need for substantial investments in road networks to accommodate the growing number of vehicles on the streets.
As part of its 2025 budget, the government has allocated $95.9 million for road rehabilitation and improvements, which will include expanding and upgrading key highways and urban roads. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between growth and sustainability. “We are committed to ensuring that our road infrastructure keeps pace with economic development and supports safe and efficient transportation for all,” he stated.
Additionally, the rise in vehicle ownership presents opportunities for the local automotive sector, including car dealerships, maintenance services, and fuel suppliers. It also underscores the need for innovative solutions, such as promoting electric vehicles and investing in public transportation systems, to mitigate the environmental impact of a growing vehicle fleet.
The increase in vehicle ownership has been met with mixed reactions. While many citizens view it as a testament to the country’s economic progress, others have expressed concerns about rising traffic congestion and the environmental impact. Environmental advocates are calling for policies that encourage sustainable transportation options, including incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The government has pledged to address these concerns as part of its broader strategy for sustainable development. “We recognize the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship, and we will continue to explore measures to promote green transportation solutions,” Browne said.
With projections of continued economic growth in 2025, the number of licensed vehicles in Antigua and Barbuda is expected to climb further. The government’s focus on infrastructure development, coupled with initiatives to promote sustainability, will play a crucial role in managing this growth responsibly.
The record-breaking figure of 45,038 licensed vehicles serves as a clear indicator of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic resilience and the improving living standards of its citizens. As the nation moves forward, it aims to leverage this progress while addressing the challenges that come with it, ensuring a balanced and sustainable future for all.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Putting stock in the increase of vehicle ownership as a measure of improvement of citizen ownership is like trying to keep water in a sieve. Especially with such poor roadways in Antigua. Antiguans need to focus on assets, not debts.
Things which #depreciate, such as 99.9% of these gas guzzlers – Molwyn Rolls Royce and the GG’s vehicles could be the only exception, again things that depreciate do not build wealth, present nor generational. Things which #appreciate does.
Next, what percentage of these vehicles become nonfunctional, become eyesores after they are abandoned?
Comrade Browne, while this may not contribute significantly to the SCAMMING and SCHEMING of Climate Change or Global Warming, different sides of the same wooden coin, on a global scale, such affects our local flora and fauna. Hypothetically I would say, as you globe trot around the World on crafts which are contributing to the farse.
You’d definitely be one of the #Cons in NETFLIX INVESTIGATIVE CRIME SERIES on the Caribbean.
In 1955 working at Barclay’s Bank for $198 ,per month I purchased a Vespa moth scooter for $500. AG464 with my name on it wad added to the chalk board. AG1 was about of a car was owned by Quin Farara. Fries Hill Road was our speedway.
Figtree drive was perfect cement road with good drainage and no potholes.
The WILMOTH DANIEL STRIPPER POLE BUS and the other two registered in HAROLD LOVELL and JACKIE QUINN-LEANDRO name included in this count?
Vehicle ownership isn’t the priority Prime Minister Browne, home ownership is. I recall one of our greatest Antiguan author’s Jamaica Kincaid highlighting that home ownership should be much higher than car ownership.
The fact that Gaston Browne highlights vehicles more than homes is utter tomfoolery, you can’t live with your family in a car.
Hopefully, he’ll make owning a home as easy as owning a vehicle.
I won’t cuss he, but my goodness, how on earth did Antigua & Barbuda end up with such a backward thinking leader???
HOMES NOT CARS …
No, horrible roads and duty free driving the importation of raggedy cars into the country in which your “brother” would defend lazy and incompetent politicians because they get a duty-free.
This is no proper measurement of economic growth and impact to the average person, family and community.
There has nearly never been impact of economic growth to over 99% of locals, as most are only existing on government salaries and hotel salaries which never impact individuals or families or communities in Antigua and Barbuda, as the government or the private individuals who owns the hotel just keep that money as profits. The government usually waste theirs.
Salaries stays the same or no substantial change. At no time does the economy affects 99% of Antiguans and Barbudans. Either there are no economist with advance degrees in Antigua and Barbuda that knows this or there may be one that will not speak the truth. Do I have to be the and only person to speak the truth every time?
It is misguided to think that the country’s economic situation is fueling the growth in the number of vehicles on our roads today.. Ownership of a car is not a sign of one’s economic situation or wealth. For many persons, owning a car is far easier than buying or building a house. People are able to buy a used car online from Japan from between USD $1000 to $4000 and with government granting duty waivers, almost every family member can buy and own a car these days. Most homes have 3 or 4 cars parked in their yard. Government has lost millions of dollars in wasteful duty waivers over the past 15 years in this initiative whilst in many instances we continue to import vehicles that would end up on a junk heap in ten years time. If we do not see anything wrong with 45,000 vehicles in a population of 100,000 then we are blind. We are killing and poisoning the citizens with exhaust fumes if we do not stop the importation of all these fossil fuel vehicles. Realistically the government must lead the way in trying to encourage citizens to buy electric cars instead. Our short-sightedness will be to our own detriment in years to come.
It is misguided to think that a young, beautiful Dominican beauty Queen would seriously be interested in an OLD GEEZER!!! She simply took him to the cleaners and exposed his delusional ass 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is such stupidity, all these people that own these cars 100 percent of them the car looks better than the house they live in so what does that tell you about the priorities of the person? They’re more willing to spend on a car you can’t sleep in than fix a house. Basically the prime minister is saying y’all a bunch a knuckle dragging IDIOTS.
Pm I had dealings with the crooked dictator of PWD. He is in deal with the supplies. The one on old Paraham road just below Christ The King high School or opposite Antigua Grammar School. The same one that owns the hardware and lumber yard further up Old Paraham road. He sits in his office and looses all the government documents. Cabinet decisions everything.
He is going to cause embarrassment to The Honorable Maria First Lady Browne .
@Geoffrey Pidduck, please tell me more about those errors. Please. I beg of you. The vehicles, the people, the food, atmosphere, traveling, etcetera. I want to just sit and listen to people who have experienced those time before me.
Most of these car that come into Antigua are nothing more than tin cans that fall apart if they hit one of those pot holes. Some of these cars are from flooded areas already damaged from the flood water. refurbished to look like new. Junk cars that will end up on the side of the road. We need less cars on the roads, Mr. PM.
What irony..
The same man that says he’s the leader on “Climate Justice” is here bragging about Antigua and it’s 45000 cars. are you kidding me?
You really can’t make this shyt up.. 🤣.
Mr PM you are totally lost if you think more cars on the streets is a good indicator of economic growth or is good for the very environment that you claim to be the leader in fixing.
And I think I spoke on this before..more cars are making the Japanese and the Chinese richer with the influx of cheap cars and cheap parts. The road life for these cars that are coming from these countries are horrible, and so much money is going into these cheap parts, Antiguan’s simply cannot keep up with the up-keep of these cheap cars which just keep getting abandoned, only to become homes for mosquitos.
And not to mention the horrible roads as well, which further impacts the road life of these very cars.
So yes you are making other countries like Japan and China very rich, by allowing all these flimsy cars to come into the island, and in fact making the citizens of Antigua poorer with these depreciating junk cars that are coming in the island.
That’s why some people have for cars in their yard, because 3 of them are hardly working. You see the same foolishness when you go to the Bahamas, 3-4 cars in every yard, with 2-3 of them on bricks.
Comments are closed.