{{Infobox Economy
|country = Antigua and Barbuda
|image =
|width =
|caption =
|currency = [[East Caribbean dollar]] (XCD)
|year = 1 April - 31 March
|organs = [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], [[Caribbean Community|CARICOM]]
|rank = 204th
|gdp = $750 million (2002 est.)
|growth = 3% (2002 est.)
|per capita = $11,000 (2002 est.)
|sectors = agriculture: 3.9%, industry: 19.2%, services: 76.8% (2002)
|inflation = 0.4% (2000 est.)
|poverty = no data
|labor = 30,000
|occupations = agriculture: 7%, industry: 11%, services: 82% (1983)
|unemployment = 11% (2001 est.)
|industries = tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)
|exports = $214 million (2004 est.)
|export-goods = petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%
|export-partners = Spain 29.9%, Germany 18.2%, Poland 13.9%, Italy 6.4%, Singapore 5.1%, UK 4.4% (2005)
|imports = $735 million (2004 est.)
|import-goods = food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil
|import-partners = US 20.3%, China 15.7%, Singapore 12.2%, Germany 10.9%, Spain 6.3% (2005)
|debt = $231 million (1999)
|revenue = $123.7 million (2000)
|expenses = $145.9 million (2000)
|aid = recipient: $2.3 million (1995)
|cianame = ac
}}
'''[[Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda's]] [[economics|economy]]''' is service-based, with [[tourism]] and government services representing the key sources of employment and income. Tourism accounts directly or indirectly for more than half of [[gross domestic product|GDP]] and is also the principal earner of foreign exchange in Antigua and Barbuda. However, a series of violent [[hurricane]]s since 1995 resulted in serious damage to tourist [[infrastructure]] and periods of sharp reductions in visitor numbers. In 1999 the budding offshore financial sector was seriously hurt by financial sanctions imposed by the [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom]] as a result of the loosening of its money-laundering controls. The government has made efforts to comply with international demands in order to get the sanctions lifted. The dual island nation's agricultural production is mainly directed to the domestic market; the sector is constrained by the limited water supply and labor shortages that reflect the pull of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for about one-third of all tourist arrivals. Estimated overall economic growth for 2000 was 2.5%. Inflation has trended down going from above 2 percent in the 1995-99 period and estimated at 0 percent in 2000.

To lessen its vulnerability to natural disasters, Antigua has been diversifying its economy. Transportation, communications and financial services are becoming important.

Antigua is a member of the [[Eastern Caribbean Currency Union]] (ECCU). The [[Eastern Caribbean Central Bank]] (ECCB) issues a common currency (the [[East Caribbean dollar]]) for all members of the ECCU. The ECCB also manages monetary policy, and regulates and supervises commercial banking activities in its member countries.

Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. [[Caribbean Basin Initiative]]. Its 1998 exports to the U.S. were valued at aboutUS $3 million and its U.S. imports totaled about US $84 million. It also belongs to the predominantly English-speaking [[Caribbean Community|Caribbean Community (CARICOM]]).
==Tourism==

Dickenson Bay Beach, and Half-Moon Bay, two beaches in Antigua have been named by expedia.co.uk as Two of the Best Beaches in the World. Antigua and Barbuda has been named the best Island Wedding Destination in the twelfth annual International Caribbean World Awards, and has been cited by the Guinness World Records as having the most marriages per capita. In 2007 Antigua and Barbuda was placed 1st among the top 10 best Spring Weekend Vacations. Antigua and Barbuda's [

== Economic History ==
Prior to [[colonization]], several [[Amerindian]] groups inhabited Antigua and Barbuda, all of which relied on a [[subsistence]] lifestyle. [[England|British]] colonists established settlements in the islands in 1632. After fighting off the [[Carib]]s, [[Netherlands|Dutch]], and [[France|French]] to stabilize their colonies, settlers grew [[tobacco]], [[indigo plant|indigo]], [[cotton]], and [[ginger]] as cash crops. As on many other Caribbean islands, [[sugar]] cultivation became the most profitable enterprise, quickly surpassing other crops in economic importance. Due to the vast tracts of land needed for large-scale sugar production, [[rainforest]]s on the islands were decimated. Timber from the rainforests was used in shipbuilding and repair.

With the shift to a [[plantation economy]], [[slave]]s were imported from [[Africa]]. Even after the abolition of slavery in 1834, former slaves continued working in servitude due to laws designed to keep providing plantations with cheap labor. As the sugar industry began to wane, the plantation economy came to an end.

==Statistics==

'''Industrial production growth rate:'''
6% (1997 est.)

'''Electricity - production:'''
90 GWh (1998)

'''Electricity - production by source:'''
* ''fossil fuel:'' 100%
* ''hydro:'' 0%
* ''nuclear:'' 0%
* ''other:'' 0% (1998)

'''Electricity - consumption:'''
84 GWh (1998)

'''Electricity - exports:'''
0 kWh (1998)

'''Electricity - imports:'''
0 kWh (1998)

'''Agriculture - products:'''
[[cotton]], [[fruit]]s, [[vegetable]]s, [[banana]]s, [[coconut]]s, [[cucumber]]s, [[mango]]es, [[sugarcane]]; livestock

'''Currency:'''
1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents

'''Exchange rates:'''
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)

== References ==
* {{CIAfb}}
* {{StateDept}}

{{Caribbean in topic|Economy of}}
{{Caricom}}
{{WTO}}

[[Category:Economy of Antigua and Barbuda|*]]
[[Category:WTO member economies|Antigua and Barbuda]]

[[fr:Économie d'Antigua-et-Barbuda]]
[[gl:Economía de Antiga e Barbuda]]
[[io:Ekonomio di Antiga e Barbuda]]
[[oc:Economia d'Antigua e Barbuda]]
[[pt:Economia da Antígua e Barbuda]]