Turks and Caicos Islands

Table 5.8.7: Sample distribution by education and training
Highest Level of Education Male Female Total
Primary 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Secondary (Ordinary Level) 5 28% 1 8% 6 19%
Secondary (Advanced Level) 1 6% 1 8% 2 6%
Community College 9 50% 3 23% 12 39%
Technical-Vocational Institute 2 11% 4 31% 6 19%
Teachers College 0 0% 3 23% 3 10%
Tertiary 1 6% 1 8% 2 6%
Education is one of the most important avenues for avoiding or escaping poverty, because employment
and further education opportunities are within reach. The relatively high rate of completion of some form
of tertiary studies is a positive sign. It would suggest that much of the sample is better prepared to be
absorbed into the labour force, working in technical or skilled professions. It also suggests more
possibilities of social and economic mobility amongst the respondents.
Table 5.8.8: Sample Distribution by Main Income Earning Responsibility
Are you the main
income earner?
146
Sex of Respondent
Male 1 Female Total
Yes 15 83% 11 85% 26 84%
No 2 11% 2 15% 4 13%
1: One male respondent did not indicate income earning responsibility
Comparable to the percentage of respondents who were the heads of their respective households, high
percentages of respondents with main household income earning responsibilities were also revealed from
the survey (see Table 5.8.8). A slightly less percentage of respondents however, were actually employed
(see Table 5.8.9). Although small, there is some cause for concern for the percentage of household heads
who have responsibility for bringing in income, but are unemployed.
Table 5.8.9: Sample Distribution by Involvement in Income-Generating Activities
Are you involved in income
generating activity?
Sex of Respondent
Male Female Total
Yes 14 78% 10 77% 24 77%
No 4 22% 3 23% 7 23%
In terms of average monthly earnings, Figure 5.8.3 shows that most of the households sampled earns on
average USD 750 or more monthly. Given the close correlation between the respondents and household
headship responsibilities, it would appear a greater percentage of female headed households are in the
two highest income-making brackets when compared to male-headed households. Conversely, there is a
greater percentage of male headed households in the two lowest brackets. As such, although there are
some implications for the large number of single female-headed households in respect of the burden of
care, the male-headed households (male respondents) in the lower income brackets are at a slightly
greater risk than the female-headed households. Their vulnerability is increased owing to less financial
resources to prepare for and absorb the shocks of an economic downturn or natural disaster. More