Antigua and Barbuda is mostly of African descent, with Antiguans and Barbudans being classified into seven ethnic divisions as of the last census in 2011. In that census, 81,066 people declared their ethnicity, out of a total population of 86,295. In descending order, the largest ethnic groups are: Africans, other mixed, Hispanic, white, Indian (from the country of India), other, mixed (black/white), and Syrian/Lebanese. All inhabited parishes and dependencies in the country are majority-African.
During the Ceramic period from 500 BC–1500 AD, Antigua and Barbuda was primarily inhabited by the Arawak. This is the earliest time period in the country's history that a majority ethnic group has been able to be determined.[1] After the introduction of slaves in the 1600s, for much of the height of slavery in the country, the Antiguan legislature adopted various programs to increase the amount of white settlers through indentured servants.[2] Barbuda was not a settler colony, and thus never tried to implement any of these programs.[3] In 1800, the black population was about 30,000, the white about 1,980, and the mixed about 4,000.[4] Racial discrimination was prevalent, and it was not until 1790 that black people could serve in minor military roles. Emancipation of black slaves occurred in 1833.[5] After this, many small black villages were established outside of the white-controlled towns.[6]
Since independence, black people have made up the majority of the country's middle class, while Syrians, Lebanese people, and white people comprise most of the upper class. Recent immigrants, Indians, and especially Hispanic people make up the lower class. Urban areas are usually lower-income than rural areas, rural areas being mostly inhabited by African descendants.[7]
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