Barbados
BRBLatin America & Caribbean High incomeCapital: BridgetownEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
61/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$8
2027▲ 5.0%
Population
282,467
2024▲ 0.0%
GDP per Capita
$28,472
2027▲ 4.8%
Life Expectancy
76.2 years
2023▲ 0.7%
Barbados in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Barbados· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Barbados
Barbados's GDP is $7.94B (2026), with a population of 282,467, and GDP per capita of $27,175. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 2.1%, inflation at 2.5%, unemployment at 7.8%, government debt at 94.6% of GDP, life expectancy of 76.2 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Located in the Latin America & Caribbean region, this high-income economy has a GDP of $7.94 billion in 2026, ranking 156th globally. The GDP per capita stands at $27,000, reflecting a relatively affluent population. The economy is characterized by moderate growth, with a real GDP growth rate of 2.1% in 2026. Inflation is relatively stable at 2.5%, while the unemployment rate is 7.8%. The country benefits from a moderate level of foreign direct investment, with inflows constituting 4.0% of GDP in 2024. The economy is open to trade, with tourism and financial services being key sectors. The population is approximately 282,467 as of 2024. Life expectancy at birth is 76.2 years, indicating a relatively high standard of living. Health spending accounts for 5.4% of GDP, reflecting investments in public health. The fertility rate is 1.7 births per woman, suggesting a low population growth rate. The unemployment rate is projected to be 6.5% in 2025, showing slight improvement. The gross national income per capita is $25,000 in 2024, further underscoring the high-income status.
▶Economy25 indicators · 2017–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary13 indicators · 2022–2027 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | 2.4% | 2027 | ▼ 4.0% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 89.5% | 2027 | ▼ 5.4% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | 0.3% | 2027 | ▲ 200.0% | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -5.5% | 2027 | ▲ 3.5% | IMF |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.8% | 2027 | ▲ 0.0% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | -0.4% | 2024 | ▼ 104.5% | WB |
| Real Interest Rate (%) | 9.4% | 2022 | ▲ 605.2% | WB |
| Lending Interest Rate (%) | 8.1% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Deposit Interest Rate (%) | 0.1% | 2022 | ▼ 4.4% | WB |
| Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD) | $1.61B | 2023 | ▲ 5.7% | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 2 | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 2.14 | 2024 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Broad Money (% of GDP) | 97.5% | 2023 | ▼ 3.8% | WB |
▶Trade8 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $461.0M | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $2.15B | 2024 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 4.0% | 2024 | ▲ 29.8% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 0.2% | 2024 | ▲ 123.6% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $303.1M | 2024 | ▲ 34.8% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $85.2M | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 1.1% | 2024 | ▼ 3.7% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 19.9% | 2024 | ▲ 8.1% | WB |
▶Finance8 indicators · 2020–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 59.7% | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (% of GDP) | 51.4% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (USD) | $2.78B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Stock Market Turnover (% of GDP) | 0.0% | 2021 | ▼ 96.8% | WB |
| Listed Domestic Companies | 15 | 2020 | ▼ 6.3% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 11.2% | 2022 | ▲ 8.3% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 5.8% | 2022 | ▼ 19.3% | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 31.4% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 3.0% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 32.6% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 16.9% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 9.0% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 10 years | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 52.7% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 282,467 | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 0.0% | 2024 | ▲ 627.6% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 657 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 430 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 430 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 59.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 168,180 | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 40.5% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 76.2 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 73.6 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 78.6 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 1.7 | 2023 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 11.2 | 2023 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 10.6 | 2023 | ▼ 4.4% | WB |
| Net Migration | -87 | 2025 | ▼ 24.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 17.2% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 66.2% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 16.6% | 2024 | ▲ 2.8% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 51.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 25.0% | 2024 | ▲ 3.2% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 26.0% | 2024 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 135.2 | 2023 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 82.7 | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
▶Labor19 indicators · 2016–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 151,620 | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 64.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 61.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 68.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 6.5% | 2025 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 7.0% | 2025 | ▲ 2.2% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 6.1% | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 18.5% | 2025 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 1.2% | 2025 | ▼ 4.3% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 16.2% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 82.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 61.5% | 2023 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 18.8% | 2025 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 80.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 0.7% | 2025 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 49.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 60.5% | 2025 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 19.5% | 2025 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 29.0% | 2016 | — | WB |
▶Education17 indicators · 2016–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 3.6% | 2024 | ▼ 5.8% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 14.2% | 2025 | ▲ 19.8% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 83.9% | 2024 | ▼ 4.6% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 104.4% | 2024 | ▲ 1.8% | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 50.8% | 2025 | ▼ 5.2% | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 85.3% | 2024 | ▼ 7.5% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 97.3% | 2024 | ▲ 5.8% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 3,420 | 2024 | ▲ 20.8% | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 1,659 | 2024 | ▲ 15.4% | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 1,592 | 2024 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 1,244 | 2024 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 14 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 18 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 29.6% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 94.7 | 2022 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 39.3% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 28.5% | 2017 | — | WB |
▶Health38 indicators · 2012–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment14 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 2.5 | 2024 | ▲ 3.2% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 1 | 2024 | ▲ 3.2% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 7.3% | 2021 | ▲ 34.5% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 5.5% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 23.7 | 2020 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 14.7% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 63 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 16.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 0.1% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Marine Protected Areas (%) | 0.0% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 99.2% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 98.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 23.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 2,790 | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 102.7 | 2022 | ▲ 14.7% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 108.3 | 2022 | ▲ 19.5% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 100.8 | 2022 | ▲ 13.1% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 15 | 2023 | ▼ 16.7% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 899 | 2023 | ▲ 5.0% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 32.4 | 2023 | ▼ 32.2% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 4.4% | 2023 | ▲ 4.8% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 87.5% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 42 | 2023 | ▼ 18.3% | WB |
▶Technology9 indicators · 2017–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 80.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 115 | 2022 | ▲ 2.1% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 37.5 | 2022 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 1,171.8 | 2024 | ▲ 10.7% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Residents | 73 | 2021 | ▲ 151.7% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Non-Residents | 31 | 2019 | — | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 72 | 2022 | ▲ 30.4% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $18.9M | 2024 | ▲ 14.5% | WB |
| Industrial Design Applications, Resident | 1 | 2017 | — | WB |
▶Infrastructure3 indicators · 2021–2022 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Container Port Traffic (TEU) | 97,000 | 2022 | ▲ 3.3% | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 92.7% | 2021 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2018–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 26.7% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 57.3% | 2023 | ▼ 1.5% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 86.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 99.1% | 2018 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 45.3 | 2023 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 98.33 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 1.03 | 2021 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.97 | 2021 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 1.34 | 2023 | ▲ 4.7% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 0.38 | 2023 | ▼ 11.2% | WB |
| Political Stability | 1.19 | 2023 | ▲ 3.7% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 0.5 | 2023 | ▲ 5.6% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 0.41 | 2023 | ▲ 15.2% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | 1.16 | 2023 | ▲ 2.6% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 89.6% | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 64.2% | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 62.3% | 2023 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 93.8% | 2023 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
▶Military3 indicators · 2020–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces Personnel | 1,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 0.7% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 7.4 | 2023 | ▼ 51.2% | WB |
▶Tourism5 indicators · 2016–2019 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 966,000 | 2019 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $1.07B | 2016 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $99.0M | 2016 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 44.4% | 2016 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $33.0M | 2016 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development2 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 0.2% | 2024 | ▲ 95.8% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | -0.2% | 2024 | ▼ 45.8% | WB |
