Local wages and salaries climbed 5% in 2021
Despite the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the average worker in the BVI saw an increase in earnings in 2021.
Based on statistics from Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s 2023 budget presentation this week, average earnings in the territory increased by five per cent in 2021. The figures showed that in 2020, the average worker earned $25,144 but that figure increased to $26,398 in 2021.
Premier Wheatley said the increase in salaries and wages showed resilience in the economy as the BVI eased out of very restrictive anti-COVID measures.
Another indicator that showed how well the economy performed in 2021 was population growth which has a direct link to the number of jobs available locally.
By the end of 2021, there were 20,747 persons employed throughout the Virgin Islands. This is a decline from the 21,254 employees that were in the territory in 2019.
Explanation for population/employment decline
Premier Wheatley said the Virgin Islands population normally grows at a rate of 2.6 per cent. This trend continued annually up until 2017 when there was a 9.1 per cent decline in the population as persons left the territory due to the disasters from the floods and the two category five hurricanes.
However, in 2018 there was a three per cent increase in population as persons returned to the Virgin Islands. Since 2018, the growth of the population commenced its upward climb as the country began to rebuild, and there was a need for a significant influx of labour.
In 2019, there was substantial growth in employment of 10 per cent or 21,254 employees, compared to 19,317 employees in 2018.
The Premier said the 2020 pandemic again resulted in a decline in the growth of employment but the BVI is expecting another increase in the workforce as recovery from the pandemic continues.
In the meantime, the Premier said despite the decline in employment in both 2020 and 2021, 548 and 251 new businesses opened in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The Premier said this is also a great sign of resilience in the economy.
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A billion dollar economy is in the hands of someone who lives downstairs of his family house. Send help father.
If that many people were employed, then our population must be much greater than estimated. Either that or a lot of children are working.
Lol
the average worker in the BVI saw an increase in earnings in 2021
Guess I’m not average lol
And costs climbed 100%..
When last the BVI had a census, how did you come up with those figures.
well mahboy…
Is where you’re living better than the downstairs of his parents house? Some of you like to live above your income that’s why you are in deep debt/$hit. If he was living in a big mansion on top of the hill, you will accuse him of thieving Government money. Leave the man alone and mind your own business
I haven’t received a raise in almost 10 years. I guess I am not average either. My boss told me to show her a document which shows that I am entitled to a raise.
Of course the average wage has gone up. With lockdown our income was nearly zero.
@BVI in trouble
What does that have to do with anything?
i have to be blind i aint see the increase o maybe i aint average i need to know where did he get this information because there are people in government still making between 18k- to 24k a year so he need to stop tell lies, or he only talking about is paycheck?
That’s because a huge amount of the population couldn’t work for 2021. When you making nothing …….
Statistics skewed for the benefit bull$hitters.
How is that an issue? So, he smart and living in a family house….. that’s actually smart.
I really wonder where they get this data from cause I don’t see this increase at all….. must be in the trust companies…. and the cost of living…. Eggs are just about $6
The biggest employer, government, did not give any increment. The second one, bvihsa gave 1% after not even an increment for 5years. So, how you come by them stats mi Baauy.
Str8 bs
LIES and more LIES!!! Premier, where did you get these statistics please? Can you point me to them?