Antigua and Barbuda upgraded to 54th in the United Nations Human Development Index

• The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has made significant strides in its global ranking, now standing at 54 among 193 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). 
• The HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.
• This marks a remarkable climb of 17 places over a relatively short timeframe, from its 2021 rank of 71 and places the country in the “very high” category of the HDI.
• Prime Minister Gaston Browne has hailed this achievement as especially notable in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• “Well, I think it’s an astonishing achievement when you look at the fact that our country’s economy was decimated in 2020 by COVID. We lost 18% of GDP and that we have actually bounced forward to the extent now that the Antigua and Barbuda economy is easily the most vibrant within the Caribbean region, barring Guyana with their recent oil find.”
• In the Caribbean region, Antigua and Barbuda now ranks second, after St Kitts and Nevis at 51. Further to this, Bahamas is ranked at 57, Trinidad at 60, Barbados at 62, and Jamaica at 115.

(Source: Antigua Observer)