Education Sector Plan: Education for All: Embracing Change, Securing Finale | Page 22

Education for All: Embracing Change, Securing the Future
Figure 2: SKN population pyramid, 2011
20
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0,4
6
% Male
4
2
0
2
4
4
Percent of Population
% Female
Source: Ministry of Sustainable Development, St. Kitts; Department of Statistics, Nevis.
Per 2011 census data, 22% of the population is below the age of 15, and approximately 21% is 15–24 years of age.
Considering the size of the 15–24 age group and the length of time these persons could productively contribute to or
be a strain on the economy and society, this demographic characteristic indicates the critical role that education must
play in ensuring that earners of all ages can be integrated into the existing and emerging labour market.
Economy and society
The economy is open yet dependent, and since independence, macro-economic performance has been wide-ranging.
The closure of the sugar industry in 2005–2006 contributed to an acute recession, which was exacerbated by the
global economic downturn in 2008, but the country has been recovering steadily since 2012. SKN’s proximity to the
United States, which is an export market for the Federation as well as a source for students in the growing offshore
higher education sector, has contributed to the recovery (UNESCO, 2014).
Figure 3 : SKN GDP composition by sector in 2013 in constant prices (base 2006)
Manufacturing
7%
Agriculture,
Mining and Fishing
2%
Construction
15%
Other Services
30%
Education
5%
Hotels and Restaurants
6%
Real Estate
18%
Wholesale and
Retail Trade
7%
Financial Intermediation
10%
Source: Ministry of Sustainable Development, St. Kitts; Department of Statistics, Nevis.