The Caribbean - Four Reasons Why It's an Attractive Market

The Caribbean student market is not to be underestimated. Despite its comparatively small size, there are factors which makes the region is strong and viable market. This article will outline four main reasons why the region's student market is viable.

ECONOMY

The economic landscape of the Caribbean is quite diverse.  The region comprises of countries ranging from high to low income. The majority of Caribbean nations can be characterised as service-based economies, primarily driven by Tourism with a small but impactful financial services sector.  Agriculture and Industrial activities can be found primarily in those countries rich in mineral and natural resources.  A considerable number of Caribbean countries have achieved a high standard of living. Most notably, over ten Caribbean countries were positioned in the top 100 countries listed on the UN Human Development Index in 2016.  This great degree of variance creates a wide range of push and pull factors when it comes to student mobility. ​

EDUCATION

The education across the region is varied primarily due to the language and/or political status of the country. For the English-speaking countries, which are part of the trading bloc called CARICOM (Caribbean Community), an integrated educational system is in place. This has resulted in standardised testing at the primary and secondary levels, where students take common school leaving exams.  The results from such exams help to place students pursuing the next level of education. For example, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations are the basis of entry for post-secondary level education locally, regionally and internationally.  The presence of a standardised education system can minimise time spent evaluating credentials of potential students from across the region.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Approximately 40 million people live in the Caribbean region with a large population under the age of 30. For example, for countries of CARICOM, there are approximately 16 million people living in the twenty-five member states. It is estimate that sixty percent (60%) are under the age of 30. 
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LANGUAGE

The region is home to languages such as Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as several indigenous creoles.  However, English is the dominant language and is the language used for business in the region.  Diversity in language creates opportunity for a wide range of educational service providers seeking to recruit in the region.