Country profile · Issue No. 01 · May 2026
Antigua and Barbuda.
ATGAntigua and Barbuda’s row in the Caribbean Debt Tracker. Five metrics, the stated fiscal anchor, current IMF engagement, and the primary sources behind every figure. Last verified 2026-05-25.
- Debt to GDP
- 68.3%
- Primary balance
- +4.9%
- Real GDP growth
- 2.6%
as of 2025
% of GDP
2026 projection
Fiscal anchor
ECCU regional benchmark: public debt to 60% of GDP by 2035.
IMF programme status
No active programme; Article IV surveillance
Notes
Figures from the 2026 Article IV Country Report (PR 26/142, Selected Economic and Financial Indicators table) confirm public debt at 68.3% of GDP in 2025, down from 69.3% in 2024, with the ratio projected to fall to 66.5% in 2026 and to 58.4% by 2031 (below the ECCU 60% benchmark). The 2025 central government primary balance came in at 4.9% of GDP, up from 4.0% in 2024, underpinned by stronger Citizenship-by-Investment Program inflows, higher tax revenue, restraint in current spending, and a modest rise in capital spending; staff project the primary balance to moderate to 1.4% in 2026 and around 1.0% over the medium term. Real GDP grew 3.0% in 2025 (from 2.5% in 2024), with 2026 growth projected at 2.6% and the medium-term potential rate near 2½%. Inflation moderated from 6.2% (2024 average) to 1.4% in 2025. Persistent arrears to Paris Club creditors and domestic suppliers and elevated gross financing needs continue to constrain debt sustainability, and the Executive Board urged the authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive arrears strategy.
Sources
Last verified · 2026-05-25
- IMF Country Report, Antigua and Barbuda 2026 Article IV Consultation Press Release, Staff Report, and Statement by the Executive Director, 12 May 2026
- IMF Press Release 26/142, Antigua and Barbuda Article IV, 7 May 2026
- IMF Staff Concluding Statement, Antigua and Barbuda Article IV, 2 February 2026
- IMF Press Release 25/067, Antigua and Barbuda Article IV, 17 March 2025
Newsletter
The Bridgetown Brief.
A short weekly column on Caribbean economies, fiscal policy, and the long view. Read it here, or have it land in your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
All eleven economies
Read the full Tracker.
The same five metrics across the Caribbean Community, with the regional aggregate panel and the methodology. Refreshed against each new IMF World Economic Outlook release. Issue No. 02 follows the October 2026 (post the IMF WEO autumn release).