Real GDP Growth: Antigua and Barbuda

Analysis# Antigua and Barbuda Real GDP Growth Antigua and Barbuda's real GDP growth stands at 2.5% in 2026, reflecting modest economic performance after volatile swings over the past two decades. The nation achieved its peak growth of 12.7% in 2006, driven largely by tourism and construction booms. Since 1980, the economy has contracted by 69.5% in real terms, revealing structural challenges beneath headline growth rates. Current growth remains well below historical peaks, indicating a fundamentally different economic regime. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered the sharpest blow, with GDP contracting 18.9% in 2020. Recovery proved rapid, with consecutive years of strong growth in 2021 (8.2%) and 2022 (9.1%), before settling into a slower 2-4% range from 2023 onward. The recent trend suggests stabilization around 2.5%, a level consistent with limited expansion driven by tourism recovery and domestic demand rather than transformative sectoral growth.