Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Gonsalves stands his ground on call for “more babies”
Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, speaking at a press conference on Monday.
Front Page
June 7, 2024

Gonsalves stands his ground on call for “more babies”

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has sought to further clarify his call for women of childbearing age (25-35) in St Vincent and the Grenadines to have more children to replenish the population which is ageing.

At a press conference on Monday June 3, 2024, using population census materials, he restated that, “If we do not replenish our population at the accepted rate, we have a problem”.

He acknowledged that with increased opportunities, women are seeking to advance themselves professionally and economically and are less inclined in having large families.

“Women are taking the decision not to have children but if they do, they are having one,” he said, adding that “nobody is calling for more children from teenagers. We want

them to be at school studying, getting their skills and developing themselves.”

He said at one time the population was growing very fast because the birth rate was high and this was not affected by migration.

However, he said the current slow growth has the possibility to develop into a problem.

“People are living longer and that is to be celebrated, and we want people to live longer and live healthier but the expression ‘ageing population’ also includes the fact that the birth rate has fallen below the 2.1 on an average.”

He noted that some Asian countries are already bearing the effects of an older population and noted that in India and Africa there are strong birth rates but in The Americas, Europe and the Caribbean the birth rate has declined over time.

He said a continuing ageing population and stagnant birth rate have implications for several aspects of life and the economy, including the need for more social security support which research has shown will cause tax increases.

The Prime Minister believes the sluggish birth rate and its implications should be treated as a national issue, pointing out that while there are challenges in raising a child, finances should not be one of them.

“Haiti is the only country in CARICOM which has the [accepted] birth rate,” he remarked, noting that in SVG, “people are better off now than they were in the 1960s.”

Gonsalves referred to data on the birth rate of St Vincent and the Grenadines for each year between 1960-2012 which shows there were 3985 births in the year 1960, equating to a birth rate of 48.9. The total population then was 79,948. In 2012, though the population grew to 109,991, there were 1840 babies born in that year resulting in a birth rate of 16.7, “it was three times more in 1960”, Gonsalves noted.

He also mentioned the absence of a New Year’s Day baby at the country’s main health facility, and spoke as well of the number of children writing the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). In 2020, the number was 1920, and three years later in 2023, there were 1702 students who wrote the exams, though there was a slight increase in 2024 when 1745 students wrote the CPEA. The Prime Minister said this recent pronouncement was not the first time he had spoken about the birth rate and the need to have an increase; he had written about it several years ago. Many persons on social media and elsewhere have made slight of the call by the Prime Minister, some even suggesting that they were ready to help in this regard if he provides a financial incentive.

{"carousel":"Carousel"}
  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok