World Bank notes two-speed recovery in Caribbean; Guyana leads growth

The World Bank reported a two-speed economic recovery across the Caribbean, noting that oil-producing nations are recording strong growth while tourism-dependent economies face a more moderate outlook due to high energy and transportation costs and softer tourism demand. Guyana's gross domestic product is projected to expand by 23.7 per cent in 2026, while Jamaica is expected to contract in 2026. Separately, a delegation from The Bahamas attended the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Guyana to examine challenges like climate resilience and international connectivity.

The divergence highlights contrasting economic trajectories in the region, with oil-driven expansions contrasting with the more mature recovery of island economies. Projections show moderate growth for Barbados (2.0 per cent) and Saint Lucia (1.1 per cent in 2026), while Trinidad and Tobago is projected to contract by 0.2 per cent this year.