The Antigua and Barbuda economy continues to demonstrate strong growth and resilience with the outstanding performances recorded in 2024.
Presenting the People-Centred National Budget 2026 to parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Gaston Browne revealed that Antigua and Barbuda achieved an historic fiscal turnaround in 2024, recording a primary surplus of $214.5 million (3.6% of GDP) and an overall surplus of $76.2 million (1.3% of GDP)—the strongest in our nation’s history.
“After decades of persistent deficits, this marks a decisive shift toward fiscal resilience. The outlook for 2025 is even stronger, with a projected primary surplus of $254.9 million and an overall surplus of $116.3 million,” he told legislators and a large crowd that packed the gallery in the parliament chambers.
PM Browne identified the areas of revenue growth in the economy that contributed to the overall budget surplus. He indicated that total revenue and grants are projected to rise to $1.42 billion, driven by a $129.3 million increase in tax revenue to $1.1 billion. Key contributors to this performance include:
- Import Duties: $128.9 million
- Revenue Recovery Charge: $116.9 million
- Tourism Guest Levy: $25.2 million
- Stamp Duties: $66.3 million
- ABST: $465.9 million
- Consumption Tax: $61.2 million
Corporate tax revenue is expected to jump 30 per cent to $146.6 million, while Property Tax collections rise 14 per cent to $30.6 million.
Non‑tax revenue totals $289.7 million, including $157 million from the Citizenship by Investment Programme and $48 million in dividends and surpluses.
The outstanding performances recorded by the Antigua and Barbuda are further solidified by in the growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Despite a challenging global environment, Antigua and Barbuda’s economy remained resilient in 2025.
“Preliminary projections by the Ministry of Finance indicate real GDP growth of 4.8 per cent in 2025 — outperforming many of our neighbours and exceeding earlier regional forecasts. This, followed a period of elevated growth as the economy rebounded strongly after the pandemic.
“We did not merely recover; we strengthened and expanded,” he remarked
PM Browne affirmed that the strength of the economy in 2025 was no accident.
“It was the result of strategic investment, policy coherence, and a deliberate commitment to keeping our people at the centre of development,” he declared.
