Hispanic Antiguans and Barbudans

Last updated
Hispanic Antiguans and Barbudans
Distribution of Hispanic Antiguans and Barbudans.svg
Distribution of Hispanics
Total population
2,330
Languages
Spanish
Religion
Christianity (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism)

Hispanic Antiguans and Barbudans are Antiguans and Barbudans that have Spanish or Latin American origin. In 2011, it was estimated that there were 2,330 Hispanics living in the country. [1] Most Hispanics in the country are of recent Dominican Republic origin, [2] and large-scale immigration from Latin America began in the country after independence in 1981. Hispanic people now make up about three percent of the population, and the Spanish language is now the third most spoken language in the country. Like many other immigrant communities in Antigua and Barbuda, most Hispanic people struggle economically and are forced to work low-paying jobs. [3] The group faces discrimination and xenophobia, especially due to their association with illegal immigration to the country. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

History

The first wave of Hispanic immigrants to Antigua and Barbuda occurred in the 1950s, with mass arrivals from the Dominican Republic. The second wave begun following independence, when Antigua and Barbuda began to develop closer ties with the rest of the Caribbean. In the 1990s, work permits were issued to hundreds of Dominicans a year, eventually exceeding the amount given to CARICOM nationals. It is also said that around this time, many members of an Antiguan community that immigrated to the Dominican Republic in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries began to return to the county in mass numbers. Antigua and Barbuda was the country of choice for many Dominicans and other Latin Americans due to their relaxed visa policy and easy conditions for naturalisation. However, members of the community are often only able to find low paying jobs, and many women are forced to work in the country's prostitution sector. [3]

In 1991, the country had a population of 656 Dominicans, 13 Cubans, twelve Venezuelans, three Mexicans. The Hispanic population was very young, aiding the rapid Hispanic population increase in the coming decade. [7] While Hispanics were not recognised as an ethnic group until 2011, by 2001 there were 1,492 Dominicans, and all other Hispanic groups had at least doubled in population. [8]

Demographics

Largest ethnic groups in Antigua and Barbuda apart from Africans and mixed people Largest ethnic groups in Antigua and Barbuda apart from Africans.svg
Largest ethnic groups in Antigua and Barbuda apart from Africans and mixed people

According to the 2011 census, Hispanics make up 2.75% of the country's population. [1] The highest percentage was in Saint John, while the lowest percentage was in Barbuda. Hispanics were the largest minority group in Saint John. [9] Approximately 28% of Hispanics were Catholic in 2011. About 8% were irreligious, and the remainder were mostly Protestant. While the Catholic proportion was well above the national average of 6%, Hispanics were only the third most Catholic ethnic group in the country. [10]

Distribution

The following table shows the distribution of Hispanics by parish and dependency in 2011: [9] [11]

Parish/dependencyPopulationPercentage
St. John's (city)1,3606.28%
Saint John (rural)6922.35%
Saint Mary 550.75%
Saint George 770.97%
Saint Philip 391.17%
Saint Paul 730.90%
Saint Peter 270.50%
Barbuda 70.44%

References

  1. 1 2 "Ethnic" (PDF).
  2. ↑ "Country of birth and ethnicity" (PDF).
  3. 1 2 "Bernadette Farquhar - The Spanish Language in Antigua and Barbuda: Implications for Language Planning and Language Research". global.uwi.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  4. ↑ Michael (2021-12-16). "Hispanic community accuses police of brutality". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  5. ↑ "Immigration Minister Says Discrimination Against Non-Nationals Will Not Be Tolerated". Antigua News Room. 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  6. ↑ Michael (2022-04-02). "Thousands of immigrants granted amnesty in first month of programme". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  7. ↑ "1991 Population and Housing Census" (PDF).
  8. ↑ "2001 Population and Housing Census" (PDF).
  9. 1 2 "Ethnic percent by parish" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Ethnicity and religion" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "Ethnic population by parish" (PDF).
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