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
Geographic coordinates
13 10 N, 59 32 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total : 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 201
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
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
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use
agricultural land: 23.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 16.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.7% (2022 est.)
forest: 14.7% (2022 est.)
other: 62.1% (2022 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.)
male: 146,587
female: 157,552
comparison rankings: total 181; female 180; male 182
Nationality
noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)
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)
15-64 years: 67% (male 100,328/female 103,536)
65 years and over: 16.3% (2024 est.) (male 20,986/female 28,732)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 49.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 24.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.1 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 41.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 40.3 years
female: 42.5 years
comparison ranking: total 50
Population growth rate
0.23% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 173
Birth rate
10.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 172
Death rate
8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 83
Net migration rate
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 112
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)
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
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
39 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 106
Infant mortality rate
total: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 137
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79 years (2024 est.)
male: 76.3 years
female: 81.8 years
comparison ranking: total population 68
Total fertility rate
1.7 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 163
Gross reproduction rate
0.85 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
59.2% (2012)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 98.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 2% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
8.1% of GDP (2021)
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:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
23.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 69
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 9.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 1.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 22
Tobacco use
total: 6.2% (2025 est.)
male: 11.4% (2025 est.)
female: 1.5% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 157
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
57.1% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
4% of GDP (2023 est.)
12.5% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 106
Literacy
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.6%
female: 99.6% (2014)
Environment
Environment – current issues
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid-waste disposal
Environment – international 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Land use
agricultural land: 23.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 16.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.7% (2022 est.)
forest: 14.7% (2022 est.)
other: 62.1% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 31.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 9.79 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 1.28 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.35 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 174,815 tons (2011 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 15,733 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 5 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
80 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Barbados
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
geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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
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 by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Sandra MASON (since 30 November 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; election last held on 20 October 2021 (next to be held by January 2027); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
election results: Sandra MASON elected as first president on 20 October 2021
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parlement de Barbade (Parliament of Barbados)
legislative structure: bicameral
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
number of seats: 30 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 1/19/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Barbados Labour Party (BLP) (30)
percentage of women in chamber: 26.7%
expected date of next election: January 2027
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate
number of seats: 21 (all appointed)
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 2/4/2022
percentage of women in chamber: 33.3%
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
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
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)
chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200
FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.foreign.gov.bb/embassies-high-commissions-and-permanent-missions/
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
embassy: Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.
mailing address: 3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3120
telephone: (246) 227-4000
FAX: (246) 431-0179
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://bb.usembassy.gov/
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 (hoist side), gold, and ultramarine blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of 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 colors
blue, yellow, black
National anthem
name: “The National Anthem of Barbados”
lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS
note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as “In Plenty and In Time of Need”
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
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)
$5.428 billion (2023 est.)
$5.214 billion (2022 est.)
$4.425 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 183
Real GDP growth rate
4.09% (2023 est.)
17.83% (2022 est.)
-1.18% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 76
Real GDP per capita
$19,200 (2023 est.)
$18,500 (2022 est.)
$15,700 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 101
GDP (official exchange rate)
$6.721 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
9.8% (2023 est.)
4.1% (2019 est.)
3.7% (2018 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 186
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1.9% (2023 est.)
industry: 13.2% (2023 est.)
services: 75.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 27; industry 175; agriculture 157
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 75.6% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 11.8% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.2% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 34.3% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -42.2% (2022 est.)
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)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Industrial production growth rate
-1.34% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 170
Labor force
147,200 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 179
Unemployment rate
7.5% (2024 est.)
7.9% (2023 est.)
8.4% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 138
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 23.7% (2024 est.)
male: 27.5% (2024 est.)
female: 19.6% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 44
Remittances
1.27% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.36% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.61% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $1.269 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $1.664 billion (2015 est.)
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
133.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 6
Taxes and other revenues
24.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 45
Current account balance
-$296.396 million (2017 est.)
-$452.39 million (2016 est.)
-$98.732 million (2015 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 115
Exports
$2.228 billion (2017 est.)
$2.41 billion (2016 est.)
$2.358 billion (2015 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 162
Exports – partners
USA 22%, Jamaica 17%, Trinidad & Tobago 8%, Canada 6%, Guyana 6% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
liquor, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, margarine, baked goods (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$2.12 billion (2021 est.)
$2.213 billion (2017 est.)
$2.238 billion (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 177
Imports – partners
USA 32%, Trinidad & Tobago 19%, Netherlands 6%, UK 6%, Guyana 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, plastic products, ships (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.606 billion (2023 est.)
$1.52 billion (2022 est.)
$1.673 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 135
Exchange rates
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
2 (2024 est.)
2 (2023 est.)
2 (2022 est.)
2 (2021 est.)
2 (2020 est.)
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.)
consumption: 1.025 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 64.586 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 40; consumption 161; installed generating capacity 163
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 91.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 7.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
exports: 4 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 57 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.978 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 7.957 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 32.593 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 24.636 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 113.267 million cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
1.348 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 1.284 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 64,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 166
Energy consumption per capita
68.293 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 72
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 121,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 132
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 323,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 179
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.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 131
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
8P
Airports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 212
Heliports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 166
Merchant marine
total: 272 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 90, general cargo 149, oil tanker 5, other 28
comparison ranking: total 59
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Bridgetown
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Barbados Defense Force (BDF): The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2025)
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
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
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 (2024)
Military service age and obligation
voluntary service only (men and women); 17 years, 9 months to 17 years, 11 months with letter of consent from a parent or guardian, or be in the age range of 18-25 years (18-30 for the Reserves) at the start of recruit training; citizens of Barbados by descent or naturalization (2024)
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
Illicit drugs
a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean; some local demand for cocaine and some use of synthetic drugs
