World Factbook
Antigua and Barbuda
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: red, with an inverted isosceles triangle in the center that spans the flag from top to bottom; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band meaning: the sun stands for the dawn of a new era, black for the African heritage of most of the population, blue for hope, and red for the dynamism of the people; the "V" shape of the triangle stands for victory; the yellow, blue, and white colors are also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand
Capital
name
Saint John's
etymology
named after Saint John the Apostle
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 07 N, 61 51 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest presented 31 July 1981, effective 31 October 1981 (The Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Order 1981)
amendment process
proposed by either house of Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, the establishment, power, and authority of the executive and legislative branches, the Supreme Court Order, and the procedure for amending the constitution requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership of both houses, approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum, and assent to by the governor general; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by both houses
Country name
etymology
antiguo is Spanish for "ancient" or "old;" Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493, after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville, Spain; barbuda is Spanish for "bearded" and may refer to the island's lichen-covered fig trees
conventional long form
Antigua and Barbuda
conventional short form
Antigua and Barbuda
Independence
1 November 1981 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law based on the English model
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts
subordinate courts
Industrial Court; Magistrates' Courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014)
head of government
Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
National color(s)
red, white, blue, black, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Antigua Naval Dockyard (Nelson's Dockyard)
Political parties
Antigua Labor Party or ABLP Barbuda People's Movement or BPM Democratic National Alliance or DNA Go Green for Life or GGL United Progressive Party or UPP
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
fallow deer
Administrative divisions
6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
5 years
number of seats
18 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
1/18/2023
expected date of next election
January 2028
percentage of women in chamber
5.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) (9); United Progressive Party (UPP) (6); Barbuda People's Movement (BPM) (1); Independents (1); (1); Republican Force (1)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
17 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
2/17/2023
expected date of next election
February 2028
percentage of women in chamber
41.2%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 362-5225
chancery
3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone
[1] (202) 362-5122
chief of mission
Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
email address and website
embantbar@aol.com https://www.antigua-barbuda.org/Aghome01.htm
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction