Caribbean countries have always struggled with poverty as a result of factors such as low educational achievement and low worker productivity, and following the infamous COVID-19 global pandemic that began nearly four years ago, they have been struggling with the rise of their inflation, which has resulted in limited access to both goods and labor markets, leaving the most vulnerable people in these places in poverty-stricken situations. The following is an overview of the challenges that relate to poverty in the Caribbean.

Low Education Levels

Poor people who have jobs within the Caribbean reportedly have lower levels of education. In the past, a significant portion of the working population in Caribbean countries like Jamaica and Dominica only managed to complete primary-level education. For instance, Jamaica had about 83% of its population in this category, while Dominica had approximately 79%. Additionally, a relatively small percentage, ranging from 2% to 8%, had attained tertiary-level education.

The Pandemic Made It Harder to Transport Food

The aftermath of the pandemic has posed challenges to transporting food within Caribbean countries, leading to an increase in poverty levels. New strategies, including financial aid and private transfers of money, were implemented to assist during the pandemic. However, these measures have had unintended consequences, resulting in reduced access to goods and labor markets, particularly in urban areas. This has caused a decline in the income of impoverished households, contributing to increased instability in women’s employment within these regions.

Working Poor have Fewer Income Opportunities

Records suggest that, in the past, a small number of residents within the Caribbean countries of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica get 50 or more hours of work a week compared to those who are not within the same countries.

Additionally, reports suggest that the proportions of the working poor from these countries who work 32 or fewer hours a week are greater than those who are not poor and reside within the same countries. In addition, it was stated that the jobs in these countries included construction in the Bahamas, community and social services in Trinidad and Tobago, agriculture in Jamaica and Dominica and wholesale/retail sales in Barbados.

Learning Poverty among Children

Due to the global pandemic, learning difficulties have worsened, particularly in the Caribbean. The World Bank estimated that, even before the pandemic, 51% of Caribbean children couldn’t read or understand simple text by age 10, compared to a global average of 48%. However, learning poverty rates vary across countries, ranging from 21% in Trinidad and Tobago to 81% in the Dominican Republic.

These rates may continue to rise due to prolonged school closures and increased dropout rates resulting from the pandemic. Across the region, 23 countries and 12 independent states closed their schools for an average of 168 days between the start of the pandemic in 2020 and February 2022.

This is equivalent to nearly an entire academic year. In countries like Guatemala, 13.3% of children are not engaging in educational activities. In Honduras, this number is 17% and in Bolivia, it’s as high as 22.6%. These learning losses in Caribbean countries contribute to increased variability in student skills and present challenges for teachers. One factor is the practice of automatic promotion within schools.

The Caribbean is Struggling to Get its People Out of Poverty

The poverty rate within the Caribbean increased for the first time in years during the 2019–2021 period, following the pandemic. During the period between 1999 and 2019, its poverty rate of 53% dropped to 28% as a result of labor income being the primary driver during this era, but currently, following the complications of the pandemic, its poverty rate has increased to 30%. In addition to this, although labor income was a success for the Caribbean in the past, its people have yet to return to this path of poverty reduction for further success in the future.

Looking Ahead

Although quick and determined action is needed to address poverty in the Caribbean, the situation has become more complex. Many countries in the region have made significant efforts to combat poverty in the past, demonstrating their capacity to do so once again. Furthermore, the World Bank is actively supporting countries in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana and Eastern Caribbean states like Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Turks and Caicos. The World Bank is implementing plans and projects aimed at reducing inequality and enhancing overall resilience.

For example, the World Bank has achieved significant milestones, such as completing six water supply systems in Haitian communities after the devastating earthquake in 2010. In 2019, the bank also played a crucial role in reducing cholera cases in Haiti, collaborating with communities, implementing disease surveillance and mobilizing rapid response teams.

The World Bank remains committed to mobilizing both public and private resources to reduce extreme poverty, promote prosperity and foster inclusive growth in the Caribbean. This involves bringing together diverse expertise and financial support from various Caribbean countries.

– Deon Roberts
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