Albeit at different rates, Caribbean countries have seen their populations gradually age over time. This is the result of several factors including falling fertility rates, emigration of its working population and increasing life expectancies. Even though population aging is the result of important social achievements, such as the increase in life expectancy, it … [Read more...] about Resilient Safety Nets: Future-Proofing Retirement Incomes in the Caribbean
Khamal Clayton
Khamal Clayton is an Economics Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC. Khamal is a part of the Caribbean Economics Team (CET), providing support in the creation of research and policy products. He previously worked as a Research Analyst at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and was a Business Analyst at BlackRock, Inc. Khamal has a Bachelor’s degree in in Economics-Mathematics with a concentration in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Columbia University, and a Master’s degree in International Economics and International Relations with a focus on International Development from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Steadying the Ship: Small Island Developing States and Fiscal Sustainability
There is growing concern about the debt sustainability of Caribbean countries, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, which led to sharply increased deficits. Recent research, as summarized in the latest edition of the IDB’s Caribbean Economics Quarterly (Rosenblatt, Clayton, & Mooney December 2023), suggests that although debt levels in the Caribbean may be weakly … [Read more...] about Steadying the Ship: Small Island Developing States and Fiscal Sustainability
A New Year’s Fiscal Resolution: Deal with Debt in the Caribbean
Caribbean economies have recovered from the pandemic-induced recession, but one legacy that lingers is public debt accumulation. This was an inevitable consequence of the sharp economic decline and social needs created by the pandemic, and with the recovery, progress has been made in lowering the burden of public debt. Yet, average debt levels remain elevated, and changing … [Read more...] about A New Year’s Fiscal Resolution: Deal with Debt in the Caribbean
Despite persistent headwinds, the Caribbean sees a robust post-pandemic recovery
Despite recent improvements, the Caribbean region is still grappling with headwinds affecting social dynamics, fiscal outcomes, and economic growth. Global commodity prices—particularly for food and energy—remain volatile and above pre-pandemic levels, straining household budgets. While true that tourism dependent economies have seen this crucial sector recover, and commodity … [Read more...] about Despite persistent headwinds, the Caribbean sees a robust post-pandemic recovery
Headwinds facing the post-pandemic recovery in the Caribbean
After two tumultuous years, 2023 remains characterized by headwinds facing countries across the world. Our previous publications have highlighted the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 shock to economies across the Caribbean region, particularly given its extreme dependence on external demand for resources, tourism, and finance. Just as the pandemic’s effects began to … [Read more...] about Headwinds facing the post-pandemic recovery in the Caribbean