31 May 2024 - UN DESA hosted a dynamic discussion on demographic outlook for small island developing States (SIDS), on the last day of the in Antigua and Barbuda and online.
Using the latest data from the ” report, the dialogue took stock of the challenges and opportunities posed to these island nations by demographic shifts, including ageing populations, youth migration, and changing family structures.
Experts from UN DESA and other SIDS stakeholders drew inspiration from the new agreed by the international community at the Conference, and explored the complex demographic picture for SIDS.
“Some island nations are experiencing rapid population expansions, with high birth rates resulting in large youth populations. Other SIDS are grappling with ageing populations,” said UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, Head of UN DESA and Secretary-General of the SIDS4 Conference.
“Sustainable development for SIDS will hinge on making the most of the demographic changes ahead,” Mr. Li added. “And I want to take this opportunity to again stress the UN’s solidarity with SIDS as they manage these trends.”
UN DESA’s “Population Prospects” report series provides regular research and insights on demographic trends, serving as a valuable guide to countries in their sustainable development planning.
John Wilmoth, Director of the UN DESA Population Division, leads the team responsible for the report and he participated in the dialogue. He emphasized the role of migration in shaping the demographic picture for many SIDS.
“For nearly half of the Caribbean SIDS, the diaspora exceeds 30 per cent of the total population at origin,” he said.
In discussing the prospects for young people that inform their decision to migrate, panelist Ashley Lashley, a youth advocate and head of the Ashley Lashley Foundation in Barbados, said, “It’s really hard after study to come out and get a job … a lot of degrees for young people are not aligning with the jobs that are available.”
At the dialogue, panelists explored ways to ensure that demographic changes become drivers of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and overall prosperity for the people of SIDS.
“In many SIDS, including Belize, we are experiencing an ageing population. This demographic shift necessitates robust healthcare, age-friendly infrastructure and social services,” said Bernard Wagner, the Mayor of Belize City, Belize, in keynote remarks.
The event was part of the long-running UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Series, which has been offering monthly online discussions on the SDGs since launching in 2020 and has a passionate, built-in virtual audience.
You can watch the dialogue on or on UN DESA’s .