DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PRIORITY L: Permanent and transient population growth.
About priority L
- Controlled population growth is a key component of economic growth and development. “While a larger population can mean more potential workers and consumers, leading to increased economic output, it can also strain resources and infrastructure, potentially slowing development” (Bank of Canada).
- Given the influence of population growth on development, Tobago’s development will be predicated on a Total Fertility Rate, TFR, equal to or greater than 2.1. Trinidad and Tobago's current TFR is 1.6.
- Additional population growth strategies will enhance this base population growth rate.
- Strategies that support the replacement fertility rate will help maintain a demographic profile that nurtures a youthful population with the necessary skills in key areas needed to drive Tobago’s economic development.
- For example, the THA will implement policy measures that discourage emigration and provide opportunities to utilize the skill sets developed by Tobago’s education system each year.
- The THA will also pursue policies that promote the immigration of skilled labour from Trinidad, the Caribbean, and international markets, particularly of Tobagonians in the diaspora.
Primary performance benchmark: Priority L
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Benchmark: Increase the total population of Tobago to 80,000 by 2045
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Indicator of progress/success: The total population year-over-year.
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Benchmark country: No benchmark country
Major concerns: Priority L.
| Concerns | Problem Statements |
| Low population growth | a. Population growth below the normal replacement rate. |
| Population growth and development | b. Insufficient population growth to support meaningful and sustainable development. |
| Skills emigrations | c. High levels of skilled emigrants to other regions. |
| Youth emigration | d. High levels of youth emigration. |
| Youth and immigrant skills | e. Low levels of youth and skilled immigrants to Tobago. |
| Data poverty | f. Insufficient data and analysis on the nature of the Transient population dynamics. |
1.0 Selected Focus Areas Priority L?
The Division of Planning and Development together with several agencies within the Tobago House of Assembly, including the Division of Health, Wellness, and Social Protection, the Department of Labour Statistics, the Division of Education, Information Technology and Research and the Division of Finance and the Economy, will collaborate to develop strategies related to Tobago’s population growth by focusing on the following areas:
- Birth Rate and Fertility Rate:
- Increase Birth Rate: Promote policies aimed at improving birth rates through supportive programs for families, such as universal child benefits, extended parental leave, childcare support, and financial incentives for larger families.
- Total Fertility Rate: Promote policies that support women's health and family planning to increase the fertility ratio to more than 2:1.
- Life Expectancy:
- Improved Healthcare: Promote policies that prioritize investment in healthcare infrastructure, preventive care, and access to medical services to improve life expectancy.
- Immigration:
- Attracting Immigrants: Provide job opportunities for skilled Caribbean nationals, Tobagonians in the diaspora, and Tobagonians residing in Trinidad in key growth economies.
- Integration Programs: Implement programs that facilitate the integration of skilled Caribbean nationals into Tobago’s economy.
- Quality of Life Improvements:
- Education and Healthcare: Invest in high-quality education and healthcare services to attract and retain residents.Education and Healthcare: Invest in high-quality education and healthcare services to attract and retain residents.
- Community Development: Implement community development programs that improve the quality of life for residents.
MAIN REFERENCE INFORMATION
- Population Growth Rate of Trinidad and Tobago
- Trinidad and Tobago Human Capital Index 2020
- The Dynamics and Consequences of Population Ageing In Trinidad and Tobago: A call for responsible planning for sustainable development
- Vision 2030 & The Sustainable Development Goals
- Migration in Trinidad and Tobago: Current Trends and Policies
OTHER INFORMATION
Targets and Indicators of Progress/Success
Target-L-1
Increase the permanent population by at least 5% by 2035 and at least 10% by 2045.
Indicator-L-1
Permanent population size year-over-year.
Target-L-2
Increase the average annual transient population by at least 25% by 2035 and at least 50% by 2045.
Indicator-L-2
Average annual transient population year-over-year.
Target-L-3
Invest an appropriate % equivalent of GDP in population growth by 2035 and an appropriate % equivalent of GDP by 2045.
Indicator-L-3
Percentage of GDP equivalent invested in population growth year-over-year.
