Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen is accusing the government of presenting inaccurate and misleading economic figures in the 2026 Throne Speech, arguing that the numbers do not match World Bank data and paint a distorted picture of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic reality.

Speaking at the United Progressive Party’s town hall meeting, Bowen said the GDP figure cited in the speech—stating that the economy was valued at US $802 million in the year 2000—was not supported by international data.

He told supporters he reviewed the World Bank’s figures himself and found that the nominal GDP in 2000 was more than US $900 million, and that the inflation-adjusted figure was approximately US $1.19 billion. “Where do you get 800,000 from those two numbers?” he asked.

Bowen also disputed the government’s claim of 300 percent GDP growth over the past 25 years, saying the real increase is closer to 40 percent when inflation is taken into account. He insisted that the administration “deflated” the historical figure and “inflated” newer ones to bolster its narrative of economic progress.

He further challenged the Throne Speech’s assertion that per-capita income has reached US $60,000, calling it mathematically impossible for most working households.

Bowen pointed out that the government employs roughly a quarter of the national labour force and that “more than 50 percent of the people on the government payroll earn less than $3,000” per month.

He said only a small group—“about 153 persons”—earn extremely high incomes, many through government contracts, and those earnings heavily skew national averages.

“The real, real, real people in Antigua are suffering,” Bowen said, arguing that the country’s economic indicators are being lifted by a tiny elite while the majority of residents are not seeing the benefits.

Bowen said the administration’s economic messaging is designed to “look better” on paper, but the figures presented “are not true” and fail to reflect living conditions for most residents. He called on the public to examine official data closely and demand accuracy and transparency from the government.