Country exposure · BB
Barbados
Central America N Caribbean · Bridgetown · parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm
What Barbados means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$47M
U.S. imports, 2025
-3.9%
change in one year
$649M
U.S. exports, 2025
304K
Population
$7.2B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Barbados makes
America bought $47M in goods from Barbados in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Alcoholic beverages, excluding wine
spirits and liquor
$22M47.4%
U.s. goods returned, and reimports
$6M13.9%
Bakery products
$3M7.3%
Cell phones and other household goods, n.e.c.
cell phones and home electronics
$3M6.2%
Measuring, testing, control instruments
$3M5.8%
Nonmonetary gold
$2M4%
Paper and paper products
$910K1.9%
Medicinal equipment
medical devices and equipment
$876K1.9%
Copper
copper for wiring
$809K1.7%
Minimum value shipments
$757K1.6%
2026 so far (through April): $12M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Barbados
$649M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Minimum value shipments
$56MPetroleum products, other
$48MOther foods
$27MElectric apparatus
$20MToiletries and cosmetics
$19Mtoiletries and cosmetics
Finished metal shapes
$18MComputers
$17Mlaptops, desktops, monitors
Furniture, household goods, etc.
$16Mfurniture, mattresses, lamps
Meat, poultry, etc.
$16MWhere you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward Barbados
No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.
Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)
10%
The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
No U.S. tariff action names Barbados. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.
2026-04-06
Section 232 metals coverage expanded
In effectThe April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.
91 FR 18201 →2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).
91 FR 9437 →2025-11-13
Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs
In effectExecutive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.
90 FR 54091 →2025-06-04
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%
In effectThe June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.
90 FR 24199 →2025-04-05
Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect
In effectExecutive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.
Federal Register · 2025-06063 →2025-03-12
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries
In effectProclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.
90 FR 9817 →
Made for America
What Barbados makes for America
Barbados is a direct U.S. source of 1 essential good Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
Reference
The country itself
Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
Barbados was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Enslaved Africans worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the Caribbean sugar industry. By 1720, Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados became a republic in 2021, with the former Governor-General Sandra MASON elected as the first president.
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
- Area
- 430 sq km
- Climate
- tropical; rainy season (June to October)
- Terrain
- relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
- Natural resources
- petroleum, fish, natural gas
- Coastline
- 97 km
- Natural hazards
- infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
People & society
- Population
- 304,139 (2024 est.)
- Nationality
- Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)
- Ethnic groups
- African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.)
- Languages
- English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)
- Religions
- Protestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.)
- Median age
- 42.2 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 79 years (2024 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- high-income Eastern Caribbean economy; high standard of living among regional peers; key tourism, construction, and financial sectors driving recent GDP growth; declining but still very high public debt leading to IMF support programs; susceptible to natural disasters and reliance on import partners
- Industries
- tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, chicken, vegetables, milk, eggs, sweet potatoes, pork, coconuts, tropical fruits, pulses (2023)
- Exports - partners
- USA 22%, Jamaica 17%, Trinidad & Tobago 8%, Canada 6%, Guyana 6% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- USA 32%, Trinidad & Tobago 19%, Netherlands 6%, UK 6%, Guyana 5% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm
- Capital
- Bridgetown
- Independence
- 30 November 1966 (from the UK)
- Constitution
- adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council
- Executive branch
- President Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC (since 30 November 2025)
- Legislative branch
- Parlement de Barbade (Parliament of Barbados)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
Barbados was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Enslaved Africans worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the Caribbean sugar industry. By 1720, Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados became a republic in 2021, with the former Governor-General Sandra MASON elected as the first president.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Barbados. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/Consulate
[1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy in Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI; https://bb.usembassy.gov/; BridgetownACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
246
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 115, 119; Fire: 113, 119; Police: 112, 119
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Currency (Code)
Barbadian dollars (BBD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
115 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B (2 flat blades)
Major Languages
English, Bajan Creole
Major Religions
Protestant 66.4%, Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christians 5.4%, Rastafarian 1%
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
St. Nicholas Abbey; Barbados Wildlife Reserve; Farley Hill National Park; Hunte's Gardens; dozens of excellent white sand beaches; Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket
Cultural Practices
Wearing military style clothing is considered rude or strange.
Tipping Guidelines
A service charge of 10-15% is typically added to your bill at hotels and restaurants. Additional tipping is at your discretion and should reflect the quality of service you received. The standard tipping is approximately 10%. Always agree on the fare with the taxi driver before starting the trip. Tip bellhops $1 (USD) per bag and housekeeping $2 (USD) per room per day.
Souvenirs
Straw bags and other handicrafts, batiks, paintings/wood works; duty-free luxury items, rum
Traditional Cuisine
Cou-cou (or fungie) — lightly seasoned cooked cornmeal mixed with okra and water; often served with flying fish steamed with lime juice, spices, and vegetables or fried and served with a spicy sauce
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Geography
Location
Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates
13 10 N, 59 32 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area - total
430 sq km
Area - land
430 sq km
Area - water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries - total
0 km
Coastline
97 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Terrain
relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Elevation - highest point
Mount Hillaby 336 m
Elevation - lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use - agricultural land
23.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
14.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
62.1% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
50 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one third of the population lives in urban areas
Natural hazards
infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Geography - note
easternmost Caribbean island
People and Society
Population - total
304,139 (2024 est.)
Population - male
146,587
Population - female
157,552
Nationality - noun
Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)
Nationality - adjective
Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
Ethnic groups
African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.)
Languages
English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)
Religions
Protestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
16.6% (male 25,273/female 25,284)
Age structure - 15-64 years
67% (male 100,328/female 103,536)
Age structure - 65 years and over
16.3% (2024 est.) (male 20,986/female 28,732)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
49.2 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
24.8 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
24.4 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
4.1 (2024 est.)
Median age - total
42.2 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
40.3 years
Median age - female
42.5 years
Population growth rate
-0.42% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
8.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
11.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one third of the population lives in urban areas
Urbanization - urban population
31.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
89,000 BRIDGETOWN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.01 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.97 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.73 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
35 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
79 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
76.3 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
81.8 years
Total fertility rate
1.24 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.62 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 98.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 1.5% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.96 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
5.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
23.1% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
9.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
1.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
4.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
6.2% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
11.4% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
1.5% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
57.2% (2021 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.2% national budget (2025 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
none
Country name - conventional short form
Barbados
Country name - etymology
the name is the plural of the Spanish word barbado and means "the bearded ones," which could refer either to the beard-like leaves of the island's fig trees or to the beards of Carib inhabitants
Government type
parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm
Capital - name
Bridgetown
Capital - geographic coordinates
13 06 N, 59 37 W
Capital - time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
originally named Indian Bridge in 1628 for a bridge built beside Carlisle Bay, then called St. Michael's Town until the 19th century; now named after a bridge built over the Constitution River that flows through the center of the city
Administrative divisions
11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
Legal system
English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
Constitution - history
adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
yes
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
yes
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC (since 30 November 2025)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018)
Executive branch - cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition as prime minister; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Executive branch - most recent election date
7 October 2025
Executive branch - election results
Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC elected as the country's second president
Executive branch - expected date of next election
NA
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parlement de Barbade (Parliament of Barbados)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - note
note: tradition dictates that the next election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
House of Assembly
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
30 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
plurality/majority
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
1/19/2022
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Barbados Labour Party (BLP) (30)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
26.7%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
January 2027
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Senate
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
21 (all appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
2/4/2022
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
33.3%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
February 2027
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and presidential appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts
Political parties
Alliance Party for Progress or APP Barbados Labor Party or BLP Democratic Labor Party or DLP
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Victor Anthony FERNANDES (since 18 September 2024)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 939-9200
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 332-7467
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Karin B. SULLIVAN (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3120
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
(246) 227-4000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
(246) 431-0179
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
30 November 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Flag
description: three equal vertical bands of ultramarine blue (left side), gold, and ultramarine blue with a black trident head centered on the gold band meaning: blue stands for the sea and sky, and gold for the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past
National symbol(s)
Neptune's trident, pelican, red bird of paradise flower (also known as "Pride of Barbados")
National color(s)
blue, yellow, black
National anthem(s) - title
"The National Anthem of Barbados"
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1966
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Eastern Caribbean economy; high standard of living among regional peers; key tourism, construction, and financial sectors driving recent GDP growth; declining but still very high public debt leading to IMF support programs; susceptible to natural disasters and reliance on import partners
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$5.634 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$5.428 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$5.214 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
17.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$19,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$19,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$18,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$7.165 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.5% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
9.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
4.1% (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
1.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
13.2% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
75.4% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
75.6% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
11.8% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
16.5% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0.2% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
34.3% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-42.2% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, chicken, vegetables, milk, eggs, sweet potatoes, pork, coconuts, tropical fruits, pulses (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Industrial production growth rate
-1.3% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
147,200 (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
7.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
7.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
8.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
23.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
27.5% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
19.6% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
34.1 (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.5% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
25.8% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$1.269 billion (2015 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$1.664 billion (2015 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2016
133.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
24.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2017
-$296.396 million (2017 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2016
-$452.39 million (2016 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2015
-$98.732 million (2015 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2017
$2.228 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - Exports 2016
$2.41 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - Exports 2015
$2.358 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
USA 22%, Jamaica 17%, Trinidad & Tobago 8%, Canada 6%, Guyana 6% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
liquor, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, margarine, baked goods (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2021
$2.12 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - Imports 2017
$2.213 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - Imports 2016
$2.238 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
USA 32%, Trinidad & Tobago 19%, Netherlands 6%, UK 6%, Guyana 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, plastic products, ships (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.606 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.52 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$1.673 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
2 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
2 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
2 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
2 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
2 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates - note
note: the Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
320,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
1.025 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
64.586 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
91.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
7.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
4 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
57 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
1.978 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
7.957 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
32.593 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
24.636 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
113.267 million cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
68.293 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
121,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
43 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
323,482 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
115 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also has a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen CBC-operated radio stations operate alongside privately owned radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.bb
Internet users - percent of population
80% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
106,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
37 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
8P
Airports
1 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine - total
272 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 90, general cargo 149, oil tanker 5, other 28
Ports - total ports
1 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
1
Ports - very small
0
Ports - ports with oil terminals
1
Ports - key ports
Bridgetown
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Barbados Defense Force (BDF): The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note 1: the Barbados Police Service (TBPS) is the national police force; it is modeled after London's Metropolitan Police Service and divided into three territorial divisions note 2: the Barbados Cadet Corps is a national youth organization affiliated with the BDF; membership is open to all school children in Barbados between the ages of 11 and 18
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 600 active BDF personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the BDF's major equipment inventory is comprised mostly of donated items from China, the Netherlands, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 for voluntary active service at the start of recruit training; 18-30 for reserves (2025)
Military - note
formed in 1979, the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) is responsible for protecting national security, but it may also be called up to maintain internal public order in times of crisis, emergency, or other specific needs, such as special joint patrols with the police; it also provides humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations both domestically and regionally; other duties include assisting with national development, such as through the training of the country's youth with the units of the Barbados Cadet Corps Barbados has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security; the RSS is headquartered in Barbados (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
13 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons - tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — Barbados did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period and was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/barbados/
Environment
Environmental issues
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid-waste disposal
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Land use - agricultural land
23.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.3% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
14.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
62.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
31.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
1.348 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
2 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
1.284 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
64,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
9.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
174,800 tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10.6% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
20 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
6.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
54.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
80 million cubic meters (2022 est.)