Although its name mentions only two islands, the country includes three main islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and the small uninhabited island of Redonda.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and BarbudaCaribbean-8:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English
National CurrencyEast Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
National Day(s)1 November (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSt. John's
Economic CapitalSt. John's
Cultural CapitalSt. John's
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 19 – 22 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportV.C. Bird International Airport (ANU)
Primary PortPort of St. John’s
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline153 km
Highest PointMount Obama (Boggy Peak) (402 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverNone
ClimateTropical maritime
Border Countries
None (island state)
0Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Nelson’s Dockyard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Georgian naval buildings and has remained in use since 1725.
Antigua and Barbuda is famous for having 365 beaches—one for every day of the year.
Some of Barbuda’s beaches have striking pink sand created by countless tiny pink shells washed ashore.
After rats and goats were removed from Redonda in 2017, its vegetation increased by over 2,000%, and its rare ground dragon population grew thirteenfold.
Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda in 2017, destroying or severely damaging 95% of its buildings and forcing the evacuation of every resident.
In 2025, tourism contributed 77.3% of Antigua and Barbuda’s economy and supported 91% of its jobs.
Antigua Sailing Week began in 1968 after local hoteliers helped create a regatta to encourage visitors to remain on the island beyond the winter tourism season.
Antiguan cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards was selected as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Century in 2000.
Fungee and pepperpot is a traditional Antiguan and Barbudan meal that combines African, European, and Caribbean culinary influences.
In 1736, Prince Klaas planned an uprising to replace Antigua’s colonial government with an independent African-ruled kingdom, but the plot was discovered.
In 1834, Antigua ended slavery immediately, without the four-year apprenticeship imposed in many other British colonies.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Antigua and BarbudaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Sir Rodney Williams
Since August 2014
Hon. Gaston Browne
Since June 2014
Hon. Everly Paul Chet Greene
Since March 2018
Hon. Gaston Browne
Since June 2014
Hon. Gaston Browne
Since June 2014
Political Summary
Political System
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
The Governor-General represents the Monarch as Head of State, while the Prime Minister is Head of Government.
Ruling Party
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP): Centre-left / Labour (since 2014)
Main Opposition Force(s)
United Progressive Party (UPP): Centre-left / ProgressiveBarbuda People’s Movement (BPM): Barbudan regionalist / local autonomy
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
April 2031
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
46Organizations
18Member
0Founding Member
15Partner, Observer or Participant
13Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Antigua and Barbuda | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations20 Dec 198244 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
No Accredited AmbassadorForeign Ambassador
H.E. Gilbert BoustanyAmbassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
-
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Antigua and Barbuda | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 10 Oct 2016.Entered into force on 24 Feb 2022. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 15 Jan 2017.Entered into force on 24 Feb 2022. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 22 Aug 2016. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Antigua and Barbuda | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- -
Official Visits to the UAE
- Hon. Gaston BrownePrime Minister of Antigua and BarbudaFeb2026
- Hon. E.P. Chet GreeneMinister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and BarbudaMay2025
- Hon. Gaston BrownePrime Minister of Antigua and BarbudaMar2022
- Hon. Gaston BrownePrime Minister of Antigua and BarbudaDec2021
- Hon. Daryll MatthewMinister of Education of Antigua and BarbudaDec2021
- Hon. Henry Charles FernandezMinister of Tourism and Investment of Antigua and BarbudaNov2021
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-
Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Antiguan and Barbudan Companies in the UAE
- -
Major UAE Companies in Antigua and Barbuda
MasdarRenewable energy
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research