National Identity
- Official name
- Barbados
- 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
Sources:- The Constitution of Barbados ↗ - Barbados Judicial System
- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Coat of arms
- National flag
As published by the Barbados Judicial System The Flag is composed of three equal vertical panels—the outer panels of ultramarine and the centre panel of gold. A broken trident in black is in the centre of the flag. [...] The flag is designed in the proportion 3 : 2.
As published in EnglishAs published by The Barbados Parliament Blue for the sea and sky of Barbados; Gold for the sand of its beaches. The symbol in the centre panel is the Trident of the Mythical sea god, Neptune. [...] The shaft of the Trident is broken indicating Barbados' break with its historical and constitutional ties as a former colony.
As published in EnglishAs published by The Barbados Parliament The National Flag was designed by Mr. Grantley Prescod, an outstanding secondary school master and Education Officer. [...] This symbol appears in the Seal of the colony which was replaced by the Barbados Coat of Arms.
As published in EnglishSources:- barbadoslawcourts.gov.bb ↗ - the Barbados Judicial System
- barbadosparliament.com ↗ - The Barbados Parliament
- National anthem
- 1:19
- Lyrics
- English
1In plenty and in time of need When this fair land was young Our brave forefathers sowed the seed From which our pride is sprung, A pride that makes no wanton boast Of what it has withstood That binds our hearts from coast to coast – The pride of nationhood.
ChorusWe loyal sons and daughters all Do hereby make it known These fields and hills beyond recall Are now our very own. We write our names on history’s page With expectations great, Strict guardians of our heritage, Firm craftsmen of our fate.
2The Lord has been the people’s guide For past three hundred years. With him still on the people’s side We have no doubts or fears. Upward and onward we shall go, Inspired, exulting, free, And greater will our nation grow In strength and unity.
We loyal sons and daughters allSource: - Citizens
- "Barbadians" or "Bajans"
- Official name:The Constitution of Barbados ↗ - Barbados Judicial System
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Coat of arms:Image credit
- National flag:barbadoslawcourts.gov.bb ↗ - the Barbados Judicial System
- National flag:barbadosparliament.com ↗ - The Barbados Parliament
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
- Total area
- 430 km²
- Land area
- 430 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 97 km
- Terrain
Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region - Highest point
- 336 mMount Hillaby
- Lowest point
- 0 mAtlantic Ocean
- Climate
Tropical rainy season (June to October) - Avg. temperature
- 26.5 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 25.7 to 27 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,097 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 26.1 25.6 24.9 48 February 25.9 25.4 24.8 30 March 26 25.5 24.9 35 April 26.5 26 25.4 42 May 27.2 26.7 26 53 June 27.4 26.8 26.1 96 July 27.5 26.8 26 129 August 27.8 27.1 26.2 151 September 28.1 27.3 26.4 144 October 27.9 27.2 26.2 163 November 27.4 26.7 25.9 146 December 26.8 26.2 25.6 62 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable16.3%Perm. crops2.3%Pasture4.7%Forest14.7%Other62.1%
- Arable land
- 7,000 hectares (16.3%)
- Permanent crops
- 1,000 hectares (2.3%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 2,000 hectares (4.7%)
- Forest
- 6,300 hectares (14.7%)
- Other land
- 26,700 hectares (62.1%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Tropical cyclones8.1Very high#9/191Epidemics6.7Very high#33/191Earthquakes5.4High#65/191Tsunamis3.7Medium#73/191Coastal floods1.5Very low#132/191Drought0.5Very low#165/191River floods0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.04% per year+101 people/yearWorld Rank173rdof 237
- Birth rate
- 11.0 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 10.4 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −0.3 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 39.7 yearsWorld Rank66thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years16.9%15-64 years65.4%65 years +17.6%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 17.6%
- Share aged under 18
- 20.7%
- Total dependency ratio
- 53
- Youth dependency ratio
- 26
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 27
- Sex ratio
- 0.92 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.1% 2.0% 70-79 3.6% 4.7% 60-69 5.8% 7.1% 50-59 6.4% 7.1% 40-49 6.3% 6.8% 30-39 6.4% 6.5% 20-29 6.5% 6.4% 10-19 6.2% 6.0% 0-9 5.7% 5.5% - 2026
- 0.40 below the replacement level for Barbados ()1.70 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank137thof 237
- 0.82 daughters per woman0.18 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +0.6 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 0.6 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −0.3 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 59.9% live in 169,358 urban residents
- Largest urban areas2026
- Bridgetown
Unlike official city figures, UN urban areas cover the entire built-up area, which can include multiple cities and towns.
- Population distribution
- Most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one third of the population lives in urban areas.
- Ethnic groups2010
- African descent92.4%Mixed3.1%White2.7%East Indian1.3%Other0.2%Unspecified0.3%
- Religions2010
- Protestant66.4%Roman Catholic3.8%Other Christian5.4%Rastafarian1.0%Other1.5%None20.6%Unspecified1.2%
- Protestant
- 66.4%
- 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%
- Other Christian
- 5.4%
- Jehovah's Witness
- 2.0%
- Other
- 3.4%
Source:- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization, Largest cities:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe President is Head of State, elected by both Houses of Parliament on the joint nomination of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, or failing that by a two-thirds vote in each House (ss. 28, 32).
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe President appoints as Prime Minister the member best able to command a majority in the House of Assembly; the Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament, and the House can revoke the Prime Minister's appointment by an absolute-majority resolution (ss. 64, 65, 66).
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Bridgetown5,996 people(2000)
- National holidays
- 12 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- WedJan 21Errol Barrow Day
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- TueApr 28National Heroes Day
- FriMay 1May Day
- MonMay 25Whit Monday
- SatAug 1Emancipation Day
- MonAug 3Kadooment Day
- MonNov 30Independence Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- ASTAtlantic Standard TimeUTC−4
- Currency
- Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +1-246
- Internet TLD
- .bb
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- BB, BRB
- Infrastructure
- Heliports
- 1
- Aircraft registration prefix
- 8P
Source:- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- 2025
- 68 / 100World Rank24thof 182Confidence interval
Corruption index score by year Year Score Lower bound Upper bound 2012 76 65 87 2013 75 63 87 2014 74 61 87 2016 61 50 73 2017 68 63 73 2018 68 63 73 2019 62 52.1 71.9 2020 64 55 73 2021 65 60 70 2022 65 59.6 70.4 2023 69 63.5 74.5 2024 68 62.9 73.1 2025 68 62.9 73.1 Source:- Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:The Constitution of Barbados, L.R.O. 2002 (Schedule to the Barbados Independence Order 1966, S.I. 1966 No. 1455 (U.K.)) ↗ - Parliament of Barbados
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2021-22, assented 7 October 2021, published 8 October 2021 ↗ - Parliament of Barbados
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Corruption Perceptions Index:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
Economy
- High income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +1.8% per yearWorld Rank144thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $28,245 (52nd in the world)
Source:- 2024
- Services75.8% of GDPIndustry12.2% of GDPAgriculture1.6% of GDPManufacturing4.9%part of industryThe shape of the economySource:
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 2.6%up 1.7 percentage points1.7pp from 2025
- Labor force2024
- 151,889 (54% of population)World Rank177thof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 65.0% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 6.4%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 18.0% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $22.2 per hour worked at PPP
- Budget balance2026
- 0.7% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 6.3% of GDP, $524 million deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Central government debt104.4% of GDPInterest on debt5.2% of GDP
- Trade2017latest available
- Goods$705.1 million31.6%
- Services$1.5 billion68.4%
- Total exports
- $2.2 billion
- Change from 2016
- down 7.6 percent on the previous year7.6%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Meat of chickens (fresh or chilled), Coconuts (in shell), Sugar cane, and 4 more
- 1Meat of chickens (fresh or chilled)10.3×
- 2Coconuts (in shell)3.9×
- 3Sugar cane3.4×
- 4Hen eggs in shell (fresh)3.2×
- 5Meat of pig with the bone (fresh or chilled)2.3×
- 6Sweet potatoes2.2×
- 7Raw milk of cattle0.5×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Average gross salary2016latest available
- BBD 2,680 per month$1,340 (USD), $1,117 (PPP)
- Median
- BBD 2,006 per month($1,003)
- Men
- BBD 2,752 per month($1,376)
- Women
- BBD 2,622 per month($1,311)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- BBD 1,473 per month, gross$737 (USD), $592 (PPP)
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.811Very highWorld Rank69thof 193BarbadosWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Barbados World 1990 0.730 0.608 1991 0.732 0.611 1992 0.732 0.614 1993 0.735 0.617 1994 0.740 0.620 1995 0.744 0.625 1996 0.748 0.631 1997 0.752 0.636 1998 0.754 0.641 1999 0.756 0.646 2000 0.762 0.651 2001 0.763 0.657 2002 0.767 0.662 2003 0.771 0.669 2004 0.775 0.675 2005 0.779 0.681 2006 0.783 0.688 2007 0.790 0.694 2008 0.794 0.698 2009 0.798 0.701 2010 0.797 0.707 2011 0.794 0.713 2012 0.797 0.717 2013 0.798 0.721 2014 0.799 0.726 2015 0.800 0.731 2016 0.803 0.735 2017 0.804 0.739 2018 0.806 0.741 2019 0.808 0.745 2020 0.803 0.742 2021 0.803 0.742 2022 0.807 0.752 2023 0.811 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- 2016latest available
- 34.1
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 9.9 years
- Expected for a child today
- 16.6 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure2024
- 3.6% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 11.8%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2022
- 69.1% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 74.6%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2022
- 323,482
- Fixed telephone lines
- 121,314
- Fixed broadband
- 37.5 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted2025
- 5 people
- Asylum seekers
- 8
- Internally displaced persons
- 380(2021)All due to disasters
- Refugees from Barbados abroad
- 370
Sources:- Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists2024
- Official tourism site704,340 arrivalsup 35% against 201935% above 2019World Rank96thof 139
- Per resident
- 2.5 arrivals per resident
- Same-day visitors
- 357,900 arrivals(2022)
- Visitor spending in the country
- $1.1 billion(2017, latest available)
- Residents' spending abroad
- $51.2 million(2017, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2024A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 cultural
Site Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison Source:- The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Income inequality (Gini), Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted:Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Refugees hosted:Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2024
- 7.4 per 100,000 peopleMedium by global standards
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 7.4 21 2024 Serious assault 392.8 1,109 2023 Sexual violence 39.7 112 2023 Kidnapping 0.4 1 2023 Burglary 247.9 700 2022 Theft 398.8 1,126 2022 Vehicle theft 14.9 42 2022 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2023
- 276.6 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 781
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 76.6 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 5.4% of GDP$1,286 per person
- Physicians2022
- 2.96 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2023
- 6.4 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 10.5 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 35 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 9.5 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Road traffic deaths2019
- 8.2 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.71 Mt per yearup 3.2 percent on the previous year3.2% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 2.5 t per personWorld Rank114thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.16 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.04 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 0.91 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 3.5 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted199thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
- National standard
- 10 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships
- soil erosion
- illegal solid-waste disposal
- International agreements
- 17 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 63 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1994 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1994 CITES in force 1993 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2003 Nagoya Protocol not a party Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 2006 World Heritage Convention in force 2002 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1997 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 1995 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2021 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury not a party Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1994 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 1994 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 0.3% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0.1 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 283 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
- Annual water withdrawal
- 0.1 billion m³ per year
- Withdrawn for agriculture
- 68%
- Water stress
- 88% of available freshwater withdrawn
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment2022
- 3.9% of the population
- Obesity2024
- 39.4% of adults
- Men
- 28%
- Women
- 50%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children2012
- 3.5% of children under five
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment:Food security indicators (FAOSTAT) ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 86.3 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 11% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade1.1 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 1.1 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 1 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- Deficitproduces 9.5% of what it consumes, 2024Oil reserves20251.5 million barrelsWorld Rank96thof 99Exports2018685 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal:Worldwide Oil and Gas Survey ↗ - Oil & Gas Journal
Defense
- Military personnel2025
- approximately 600active BDF personnel
- Military service2025
- Voluntaryages 18–25 at the start of recruit training; reserves 18–30
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Military personnel, Military service:The World Factbook: Barbados - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
