CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines5.4.3 IndustryThe Wholesale and Retail Trade industry accounted for the largest share (16.88 per cent) of theemployed population, while Agriculture and Construction industries followed with 13.73 and10.48 per cent respectively (Table 5.5). This distribution differed by sex, with the males mainlyengaged in the Agriculture (17.72 per cent) and Construction (16.23 per cent), while the femaleswere engaged in Wholesale Sale and Retail Trade (22.30 per cent) and Education (12.61 percent).The youth population was mainly engaged in Wholesale and Retail Trade, Construction andManufacturing. Among those in the 15 to 19 age group, almost one in ten of them (9.59 percent) were employed in the agriculture sector compared to 6.91 per cent in the 20 to 24 agegroup and 8.75 percent in the 25 to 29 age group. These rates are the lowest compared to anyother age group that worked in the agriculture sector. As the age increased the likelihood ofworking in the agriculture industry also increased. The 35 year or older population was mainlyengaged in this sector. Traditionally, males have been more attracted to this sector and thetradition has continued with 17.72 per cent males compared to 7.40 per cent females engaged inagriculture.These key industries that the employed labour force was mainly engaged in have been among theleading ones that have contributed to the economy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In 2001,wholesale and retail trade contributed 18.57 per cent of GDP (Statistical Office, 2004). No otherindustry contributed as much to GDP, except government services (19.28 per cent). That sameyear, the agriculture industry’s contribution to GDP was 9.62 per cent. Since then, this sector’scontribution to the economy has gradually declined in absolute value as well as, in its percentagecontribution to GDP. The agriculture industry has experienced the harshest changes with the lossin preferential treatment and lowering of world prices in bananas, and the effects of naturaldisasters. The construct industry contributed 11.89 per cent of GDP in 2001. Although thetransport industry accounted for only 7.44 per cent of the employed labour force, its contributionto GDP was 13.82 per cent. This sector is not as labour intensive as the Agriculture andConstruction industries.67