University of Malta. Islands and Small States Institute
Abstract
After a review of the small island economy
literature, this study compares the average performance of 16
Caribbean versus 15 mainly Pacific islands with three from
the Indian Ocean. Mean difference analysis is employed
across 22 socio-economic and demographic variables. Results
confirm previous research. The Caribbean outperforms the
Pacific with higher per capita GDP and life expectancy and
lower infant mortality and fertility. Different migration
experiences discriminate the more dynamic Caribbean
characterized by heavy immigration from the relatively
stagnant Pacific marked by chronic emigration. The three
determinants offered to account for these differences involve
significant Caribbean advantages: geographic proximity to
the major global markets, early post-war development of
international tourism and offshore banking, and a longer
and more intense period of colonisation that early on
established basic infrastructure and market institutions.peer-reviewe
