Bermuda: Beyond the Postcard
- Youth4Truth
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Most people know Bermuda for its beaches. Jackson wants them to know everything else.
Introduction
Mention Bermuda, and most people picture pink sand beaches, luxury resorts, and one of the world’s wealthiest economies. It’s an image that isn’t entirely wrong.
But according to Jackson, a Bermudian student, it’s also incomplete.
Behind the postcard lies a country grappling with rising living costs, a housing shortage, political debates over national identity, and a growing concern that many young people must leave the island to build the careers they want.
During our conversation, Jackson rarely talked about Bermuda as a tourist destination.
Instead, he talked about what it’s like to grow up there.
More Than a Luxury Destination
The first question was simple.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception people have about Bermuda?
Jackson:
“People mistake it as just a luxury, tourist-type country. They think it’s all beaches and that politics probably isn’t a big factor. But we have housing affordability problems, even though we’re one of the richest countries to live in. We also have a lot of political debates happening that people don’t really see because Bermuda is viewed as a tourist destination.”
Wealth Doesn’t Guarantee Opportunity
Despite Bermuda’s reputation for prosperity, Jackson doesn’t believe young people experience the same opportunities outsiders might expect.
Q: Is Bermuda a place where young people can build a future?
Jackson:
“For business, yes.
For young people, I’d say no.
It’s easier to find regular jobs like retail or bagging groceries, but when you start looking for jobs in business, finance, or economics, there are way fewer opportunities. The job market is just really limited.”
Why So Many Students Leave
That reality begins with higher education.
Q: Do most young Bermudians stay, or do they leave?
Jackson:
“There’s only a community college in Bermuda.
So it’s very popular to go to the U.K., Canada, or the U.S. for university. I’d like to think most people want to come back eventually, but right now, if you want higher education, you usually have to leave.”
For many students, leaving isn’t about abandoning Bermuda.
It’s simply the next step.
When Leaving Means Losing Your Voice
Studying abroad creates another challenge.
Q: Does leaving affect how young people participate in politics?
Jackson:
“Yes.
One of the big issues in our last election was that students overseas couldn’t really vote.
A lot of young people are at university when elections happen, and they can’t vote online.
I’m worried that’ll affect me too because I want to study in the States, but I still want to have a voice in Bermuda and help make it a better place.”
The Cost of Living on an Island
Living on a small island comes with costs many visitors never notice.
Q: Is Bermuda as expensive for residents as it is for tourists?
Jackson:
“Basically, yes.
Groceries are really expensive because we have to import almost everything.
People also get confused about taxes.
There’s no corporate income tax, but that doesn’t mean there are no taxes.”
Tourism Isn’t the Whole Economy
Most outsiders assume tourism drives Bermuda’s economy. Jackson sees things differently.
Q: What actually powers Bermuda’s economy?
Jackson:
“Tourism is important, but it’s been struggling.
Politicians are trying to get it back to where it used to be.
But one of the biggest things helping Bermuda’s economy is international insurance and reinsurance companies. That’s where a lot of the economic growth comes from.”
A Small Economy With Big Competition
Even with major international companies on the island, breaking into those industries isn’t easy.
Q: Do young people feel connected to those businesses?
Jackson:
“There are opportunities.
Companies hold workshops and investment competitions for students, and some people get really good internships. But it’s also very competitive because Bermuda is so small.”
When it comes to building a career, Jackson says experience abroad often becomes an advantage.
Q: Would you start your career in Bermuda?
Jackson:
“My parents always tell me to maybe get one internship in Bermuda. But if I work in the States first and then come back, I’ll probably be on a whole other level and have a much easier time finding a job.”
Housing, Healthcare, and Everyday Life
When asked what problems matter most, Jackson didn’t mention tourism or international finance.
He immediately pointed somewhere else.
Q: If you could fix three things tomorrow, what would they be?
Jackson:
Housing affordability.
The cost of living.
Healthcare.
Housing is really expensive, and we don’t have enough of it.
Healthcare is expensive too, and we only have one hospital.”
Growing Up in a Small Country
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation focused on something less visible than economics. Connections.
Q: What’s one truth the world should understand about Bermuda?
Jackson:
“Bermuda is a very small country, so who you know matters a lot.
People always say connections help in the U.S., but in Bermuda it’s probably ten times more.
If your parents know someone, they’ll introduce you, you’ll meet them, and next thing you know you’re getting hired.”
A Question of Identity
The conversation also turned to Bermuda’s relationship with the United Kingdom.
Q: How do young people see Bermuda’s relationship with Britain?
Jackson:
“A lot of people have talked about Bermuda becoming independent because they want more of their own identity.
But it’s interesting because when the King visited, everyone came out to see him. People debate independence, but they also still feel connected.”
Closing
Listening to Jackson, it becomes clear that Bermuda is full of contradictions.
It is one of the world’s wealthiest economies, yet many young people feel they need to leave to find better opportunities.
It is internationally known for tourism, yet much of its economic strength comes from global finance.
It enjoys remarkable prosperity, yet residents continue to grapple with housing costs, expensive healthcare, and one of the highest costs of living in the world.
Perhaps that’s the lesson Jackson’s story offers.
Countries are rarely as simple as their reputation. Behind every postcard is a political economy. And behind every economy are young people trying to build a future within it.
That’s why Y4T exists.
By listening to young people around the world, we move beyond stereotypes and begin to understand how countries actually work—from the inside.
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