UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
|
| UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
|
ISO: VCT
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The electronic preparation of this document has been done by the
Population Information Network(POPIN) of the United Nations Population
Division in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme
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AS WRITTEN
INTRODUCTION
St. Vincent and the Grenadines like many of its Caribbean
neighbours is subject to a range of peculiar characteristics which
necessitate the delicate balancing of the population and development
variables in order to ensure the survival of this small island
developing state.
Specific reference is made to:
the small size and open dependent economy; the susceptibility to
external changes;
The effects of migration on the island's demographic structure
and its significance for sustainable development; and
The single export crop (bananas) on which this agricultural based
economy is dependent and the indiscernible future which this crop faces
on the international market.
Together, though not exclusively, these characteristics create a
high degree of vulnerability in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines'
economy; a situation clearly illuminated by the 5.5% economic growth
averaged during the five (5) year period 1987 - 1991, followed
immediately by the current decline which this state has been
experiencing over the past three (3) years (1992 - 1994).
St. Vincent and the Grenadines' increasing Per Capita Income
resulting from the 87 - 91 growth period, catapulted this island state
into a middle income developing country, a status which potentially bars
access to concessional funds from lending agencies. However the effects
of the banana shock which the country has encountered over the past two
(2) years have impacted negatively on the living standards of the
population.
Critical Population Issues
Despite the achievements over the past decade with a declining
birth rate contributing to a 1980 - 1991 intercensal average growth rate
of 0.8% per annum, the population is still structurally young. The under
15 dependent group accounts for 37.2% (39,626) of the total population
with a dependency ratio of 77:100. The states' responsibility to this
group requires the provision of school places, health care service and
recreational facilities. It is well understood that investment in these
areas is critical for sustainability, but because per capita cost of
investment is high in these very areas and resources are limited,
progress is moderate.
The most significant group in the population is the 15 - 44's,
accounting for 45.6% (48,580) of the total. The demands of this group
are for jobs and housing. Applying the international definition of
employment to this developing state, the 1991 Census report indicates an
unemployment rate of 19.8% (8,238 from a total labour force of 41,682)
with those in the 15 - 29 age range being most severely affected.
No developing state can be complacent about this level of
unemployment among its young people because of the numerous social ills
associated with this.
The 45 - 65 group accounts for 10.7% (11,360) of the total
population and here the demand for health care begins to increase after
having been kept relatively low between 15 - 44 years.
The 6.5% (6,916) in the 65+ group may appear insignificant when
compared with some of the other islands but their demand for geriatric
care is now beginning to make itself felt.
It is Government's responsibility to provide the needs of each
group and it is the limitation on the resources for providing these
needs with which Planners, Policymakers and Government must grapple.
Moreover the availability and accessibility of these services to the
population are integral parts of any country's development.
Other indicators reveal very interesting characteristics, and
suggest further critical areas of concern. The current fertility rate is
2.8 and expected to remain more or less at this level into the year
2000; the crude birth rate of 24/1000 is also anticipated to hold, with
the possibility of a marginal decrease by 2000. The infant fertility
rate, showing a sustained, downward trend over the last ten (10) years
is now 17/1000 and expected to fall to about 12/100 by 2000. Life
expectancy has increased to 69.7 and 72.2 years spectively for males and
females. With the restrictions imposed traditional receiving countries,
migration opportunities are for below what they were in the 1960's and
1970's.
With this combination of reduced migration opportunities,
increased life expectancy and a lowered infant mortality rate together
with the number of women of child bearing age in the population (20.5%
[21,8%) it is projected that the population would be 114,569 by 2000,
growing at an annual average rate of 0.7S% per annum.
population Density and Distribution By virtue of the island's
topography, all major settlements are located along the island's coast
line with some 25% (26,625) of the population being concentrated in the
southern cone - where it is relatively easier to provide and access
jobs, education, health care and other amenities. The population growth
over the last twenty {20) years however, has brought some pressure to
bear on these settlements and has encouraged urban drift, creating
several squatter settlements without benefit of the basic
infrastructural support.
In an effort to stem the rural urban drift and to reduce the
incidence of these unplanned settlements, Government has implemented a
land reform programme designed to improve the economic situation in the
rural areas, expanded rural health and education facilities and invested
heavily in the transport sector offering workers the option of commuting
to the workplace instead of migranting to the urban area.
Unemployment and Women
As earlier mentioned, St. Vincent and the Grenadines' unemployment
rate from the 1991 Census was 19.8% (8,238). Since then, as has occurred
in the other Windward Islands, the contribution of bananas
to domestic exports and the GDP has declined from and.....to and
respectively. Additionally, there has been a decline in the previously
small but growing manufacturing sector
Even with the absence of empirical data, this combination would
suggest a decrease in the island's economically active population in a
situation where the capacity to readily absorb displaced labour is
limited. Added to this, the cohorts of school leavers who annually enter
the labour market and the scenario is disquieting.
Women are more affected by unemployment than men and among the
unemployed, there are more women with secondary and post-secondary
education 14% (1,133) than men 11% (925). 39.3% (10,617) of all
household heads in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are women and the
Census data show that of these, 46.2% (4,902) were economically active
in 1991 while more than half, 53.8% (5,715) were unemployed.
The events occurring over the past two (2) years and are even now
continuing, must surely impact on these female household heads - as well
as other groups in the population but women were brought into focus here
because they are the most vulnerable and significant group in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.
Access to employment is an important determinant in the quality of
life.
Housing and the Environment
Over the last ten(10) years, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has
experienced a tremendous rise in the demand for housing and in the wake
of a 33.08% increase in housing units from 20,290 in 1980 to 27,002 in
1991, has sustained some environmental damage.
Tree cover has been lost as forested areas have been and continue
to be cleared to meet the demand for housing. These unplanned
settlements create problems of erosion and affect the potable water
supply as pollutants are introduced into the water system. Pressure is
also brought to bear on the existing social services as efforts must be
made to meet the needs of these settlements.
As the population continues to grow and man encroaches on
environmentally-sensitive areas, it can be expected that the island's
delicately balanced eco-system will be disrupted.
Health
The results of the 1991 Census show significant gains in maternal and
infant mortality, life expectancy, child immunisation and nutrition, an
indication of the general health improvement of the population.
Notwithstanding this, the lifestyle diseases (particularly hypertension
and diabetes) continue to be of concern, while the incidence of HIV/AIDS
and drug abuse pose the major health hazards.
The presence of HIV in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines'
population cannot be downplayed especially when taken together with the
age structure of the population and the early sexual activity manifested
in the average 24% births to teenagers annually. The effect of HIV/AIDS
on the work force and the pressure on the health care system cannot be
underestimated.
Education
Education appears to be the point of departure for all discussion
of population issues in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
While access to primary school education is almost universal,
there is a severe short-fall in places at the secondary level with 46%
(6,949) of the children of secondary school age being enrolled in
secondary school, where girls outnumber boys almost 2 to 1.
However, because the system is academically oriented, many
aspiring entrants to the job market find themselves without the skills
needed to secure employment and girls are more affected than boys. This
mismatch of formal education with the demands of the economy is further
aggravated by a weak non-formal base creating conditions for many of the
social problems we see today.
Conclusion
As we enter the 2Oth century, cognizant of the need to retard
population growth, we are also fully aware that this Conference is not
simply about the issue of numbers only. Like the other small Caribbean
countries, our resources are limited and we require special attention,
support and assistance in effectively managing our population and
development issues.
Our experience has shown that our success in achieving high levels
of economic growth and development, accompanied by increased educational
opportunities for women and other low income groups, together with the
availability, accessibility and acceptability of Family Planning methods
have been the pillars of our declining population growth rate from 1.17%
in the 1970's to the current 0.77% the lowest recorded since 1931.
Our realisation of an acceptable rate of population growth
compatible with sustainability is dependent on our national effort as
well as the co-operation and assistance which we can obtain from the
international community.