Barbados has been recognized as grappling with a big inhabitants decline, reaching what has been described as disaster ranges.
The nation’s Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, lately unveiled the alarming statistics, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the difficulty to safeguard the nation’s future.
Mottley raised considerations in regards to the vital decline over the weekend on the 84th Annual Convention of the Barbados Labour Social gathering (BLP) held at Daryll Jordan Secondary College.
The unfolding demographic problem sees the Caribbean island wrestling with a diminishing workforce, important for its progress and sustainability in dealing with international challenges.
Ageing and financial system
Central to the Prime Minister’s considerations is the rising aged inhabitants.
The demographic shift paints a difficult situation the place a shrinking working-age inhabitants should help an more and more aged populace.
Mottley famous {that a} tangible consequence of this shift is seen in its impression on the nation’s coffers, with fewer folks contributing taxes at a time when sturdy public financing is essential.
Barbados’ inhabitants vs different Caribbean nations
A historic look at demographic developments brings the disaster into sharper focus.
Prime Minister Mottley talked about that in a cross-comparison with neighboring nations such because the Bahamas and Belize, Barbados’ inhabitants trajectory reveals regarding stagnation.
Whereas Barbados boasted a inhabitants of 200,000 in 1950, in comparison with 80,000 in each Bahamas and Belize, it now finds itself lagging with a inhabitants of 269,000 in opposition to their 400,000.