Prime Minister Gaston Browne says improving living standards in Antigua and Barbuda have reduced the need for citizens to migrate, arguing that quality of life at home now rivals that of many developed countries.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said economic growth, expanded services and technological changes have altered the traditional reasons Antiguans and Barbudans once felt compelled to leave the country.
“On the basis that we have a few dollars here, you can enjoy a standard of living that is second to none,” Browne said, pointing to the country’s natural environment, outdoor lifestyle and improving economic conditions.
He said in previous decades, migration was often driven by limited access to education, healthcare and consumer goods, but that reality has changed significantly. Browne noted that university education is now available locally and that many medical procedures which once required overseas travel are now being performed in Antigua and Barbuda.
“In the past, our people had practically no avenue other than to travel to the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada,” he said. “Today, you can get the university education right here in Antigua.”
The prime minister also said advances in global commerce and technology have reduced the practical need to travel abroad, citing the rise of e-commerce and electronic payments. He said people no longer need to physically travel overseas to access goods and services.
Browne urged citizens to reconsider the risks associated with migration, including overstaying abroad, and instead recognise the opportunities available at home. He said economic stability and rising incomes allow residents to meet their obligations and maintain a high quality of life without leaving the country.
He also highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s natural advantages, describing its beaches, clean waters and outdoor living as superior to the “artificial environments” many people endure in colder or heavily industrialised countries.
The prime minister said retaining people at home is essential for sustained national development, warning that excessive outward migration can drain the country of skills and labour needed to support growth.
Browne said building confidence in local opportunities is key to changing migration patterns, adding that improved living standards should encourage more Antiguans and Barbudans to remain in, or return to, the country.