CLARIFICATION of Previous Report
On February 19, 2026, Nationwide News reported a story which alleged that Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said Jamaicans who have migrated should consider returning home as a means of addressing the country’s declining birth rate.
Upon review, we accept this reportage was NOT accurate and was in fact a misrepresentation of the prime minister’s comments. We regret the error.
Here is what the Prime Minister actually said:
During an address to students at the University of the West Indies, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness spoke about Jamaica’s declining birth rate as a national concern. While discussing potential solutions, he referenced the possibility of members of the diaspora returning home — however this was not presented as a direct appeal or a primary solution to the birth rate issue.
Dr. Holness emphasized that for any such return to be realistic, Jamaica would need to become a more attractive destination by reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and administrative obstacles that currently make doing business and everyday life more challenging.
His comments were part of a broader conversation about Jamaica’s demographic and economic future, and were not a direct call for overseas Jamaicans to return home specifically to address the birth rate.
